How the Simplest Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus

How do we get the wisdom of Scripture to find good soil in the hearts of our little ones? Christie Thomas has discovered that every parent can nurture deep faith roots in their kids through tiny, daily habits, trusting God to do the hardest work of heart change. God can do a lot with our little offerings. It is with grace and love for our little ones we welcome Christie to the farm’s table today…

Guest Post by Christie Thomas

My son and I are curled up in the top bunk, surrounded by piles of stuffed animals and books, doing our bedtime routine. 

As we sing our ridiculously long memory verse together, he leans toward my ear and bats his eyelashes. (He thinks it’s hilarious, but I feel like there’s a moth in my ear. Ew.) 

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

“Justified means that God doesn’t see our sins anymore; he sees us through Jesus. That’s what it means to be saved.”

Titus 3:5-7, NIV

There are some awfully big words in that verse, I realize.

What does justified mean, anyway? I decide to explain: “Justified means that God doesn’t see our sins anymore; he sees us through Jesus. That’s what it means to be saved.”

And then I say, “Do you know what you need to do to be saved? Just say, ‘Jesus, I want to be saved!’”

I’m chuckling inside at my simple explanation, but he takes it seriously. A moment later, he tells me, “I just said that to Jesus, in my head!” He giggles, and I notice a new brightness in his eyes. For the first time— without pushing or prompting or pressure— he has made a personal profession of faith.

He’s just a little guy and his understanding of salvation will grow as he grows, but right now, he’s decided to follow Jesus. I give him a squishy cry-hug, and he pats my back in amusement.

In that moment, I am reminded that life-changing moments with our kids can come out of the simple thing we do every day. 

I believe that God used my stumbling faithfulness and a simple-but-consistent bedtime habit to bring my son into a true relationship with him. And it all began with starting little.

“…small but consistent habits have the power to crack into a busy routine and change the terrain of my family’s faith.“

Growing up, I went to church at least three times per week: Sunday morning services (plural), Sunday evening, Wednesday night girls club, and, as I got older, Friday night youth group. But while I was raised in a Christian family and spent a lot of time in church, I didn’t have many conversations about God, faith, or the Bible outside of church. 

When I got married and started having my own children, I came to an uncomfortable realization: I didn’t know how to have natural conversations about God with them.

From my many years in kids’ ministry, I knew how to teach an engaging Sunday school lesson, write prayer journals and curriculums, and lead someone else’s child to Christ— but did I know how to talk about my faith in daily moments with my husband and kids? Nope.

As I’ve learned how to move from discipling kids in a church context to discipling my own children, God has shown me the power of starting little, both in nature and in my life.

Here on the Canadian prairies, we joke that we only have two seasons: winter and construction— otherwise known as “the making of the potholes” and “the fixing of the potholes.” 

“…learning to inhale and exhale the goodness of God in everyday moments, through everyday habits, as God gently leads me step-by-step.“

Through autumn, winter, and spring, small amounts of melted snow find their way into microscopic cracks in the road. Every time the temperature falls below freezing, that water turns into ice. If you’ve ever put a glass container of soup in the freezer, you know what happens when water turns to ice: It expands. Soup freezing in a too- small container can break glass, and water freezing in those cracks in the road can break asphalt. After eight months of the thaw-freeze-thaw-freeze cycle, you end up with huge potholes and cracks in the road. 

Just as a few dribbles of water have the power to crack open a solid road, small but consistent habits have the power to crack into a busy routine and change the terrain of my family’s faith.

I know an organic lifestyle of family discipleship is possible because I’ve watched friends for whom every moment of parenting is discipleship, every conversation an opportunity to understand the gospel. 

And I have seen my own progress toward this goal: learning to inhale and exhale the goodness of God in everyday moments, through everyday habits, as God gently leads me step-by-step.

I don’t have it all figured out, but I have found a way forward that is full of grace, remains sustainable for my family, and consistently points us back to our good God.

If you’re feeling weighed down and exhausted by all the things you’re supposed to do to teach your children about God, I invite you to discover how tiny faith habits can crack into your own busy routine and change the terrain of your family’s faith too. 

Little faith habits are how we plant intentional seeds that will sprout in our kids’ lives—and in our own lives.

But choosing to bless my child, memorize a single verse, or pray the Lord’s prayer on a daily basis isn’t about pretending my child’s faith is dependent on me. 

Instead, it’s about being obedient in the small things and letting God do what God does best, turning a small, trembling obedience into something magnificent. 

“First steps always seem like not enough, but they are the bravest and they start the journey to where you’re meant to go. It takes great trust to believe in the smallest of beginnings.”

(Ann Voskamp in The Broken Way, page 75)

We want our kids to know God. We know we’re supposed to disciple them. But parenthood is hard, and we’re busy, tired, and often feel unequipped. What if our kids don’t seem all that interested or can’t sit still long enough for us to read the Bible?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re supposed to do to teach your kids about God, Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus shows you how to leverage the power of small, consistent choices with confidence. God can use even the smallest step to change how your family grows in faith. 

Helping connect your kids with God is easier than you think. It all starts with 30 seconds a day- and the power of a simple habit. 

Christie Thomas is a mom and writer who has been involved in children’s ministry for most of her life. As a family discipleship coach, Christie deeply believes that every Christian parent can confidently nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time. Her devotionals and children’s books help parents cultivate faith-filled moments. She lives with her husband and three boys in Canada. Check out her books, blessing blankets, and other resources at littleshootsdeeproots.com.

{Our humble thanks to NavPress for their partnership in today’s devotional.}