When do you start to share God’s teaching with children?

As Christian parents, knowing when and how to talk to your kids about God weighs heavy on our minds.

How do we know the ideal age to start teaching them about God? The answer to that is ‘now.’ Now is the time to share with them who God is.

Toddlers and small children may not necessarily understand what you are telling them, but you are laying a foundation to build their faith on.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

We all enter into this world with an intuitive sense of God. That instinct is there waiting like a seed to be watered.

Babies and small children may not have a full understanding of heaven, Jesus, the Trinity, sin, etc., but we as parents must start to water and nurture that seed that God planted within the hearts of our children.

The more we water as they grow older, the more they will understand.

Begin to Water the Seed

At a very young age, your child may not understand who God is. The more you talk about God, the more you imprint the presence of God on their hearts and minds.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these Mark 10:14

1. Start with a toddler/children’s Bible.

For toddlers and small children, books, and a children’s bible is the first step. Read to them and talk about the pictures in the book.

2. Point out things that God has made.

Begin to talk about God to them daily and show them the things that God has made; flowers, stars, animals, etc. Talk about God as if He is right there with you.

3. Pray with your child.
Start with easy and simple prayers.

“God, we love you.” - Amen
“God, please make (name) feel better.” - Amen
“God, thank you for my snack.” - Amen

4. Explain to your children that God is watching them and sees everything they do. Let them know that although Mommy and Daddy may not see them do something wrong, God does.

5. Begin to talk to your child about bad behavior and good behavior and how acting good makes God happy. They should know that satan does exist and that there is a struggle between good and evil.

6. Let your child see you exhibit your own faith through praying around them, reading the Bible, going to church, and helping others out.
7. Pray for your child’s growth in their understanding of God

Nurturing A Watered Seed

As your children grow older, they will begin to see their own sin. Teaching them to confess, repent, and pray for forgiveness will foster a sense of accountability.

As they begin to demonstrate a clear understanding of accountability, it will be time to share the Gospel to lead them to Christ.

Heaven

It is exciting to be able to share with your children what Heaven is like. However, they need to know that there is only one way to get into Heaven, and that is through salvation.

In heaven, we shall join loved ones that we lost; we will no longer be sad, sick, or have bad days. It is a beautiful place that we all look forward to going to.

In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3

The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each individual gate was of one pearl. And the streets of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21

In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits… Revelation 22:2

Leading Your Child To Christ

Children need to have a basic understanding of a few things to be able to give their hearts to Christ.

They are sinners, and need Jesus to be saved.
Why Jesus died on the cross and rose again.
The alternative to not accepting Christ as their savior is hell.

Your child should know that to have a clean heart, they need to be willing to accept the free gift of forgiveness through Christ’s death.

Explain to your child that we are all sinners, including them.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Explain that we must confess our sins to God to be forgiven.

If we confess our sins; He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Tell them how Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sin for us to enter into heaven.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God Will Equip You

When talking about God or sharing the Gospel with your child, be yourself. Don’t feel that you have the be a theologian or know the Bible front to back. Trust in God to give you the right words at the right time.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Be a Godly example and model for your children. Show them that you pray and read your Bible.

Let them see you talking to God.

Include God in your daily activities with your children as if he were standing right there with them.

God has equipped you to demonstrate His love for your children. You can do this!

Prayer for Parents

Father in Heaven,

Thank you for the blessings of parenthood and for my children. Lord, I pray that you will enable me to be the Godly parent and witness I need to be for my child so they may come to know you.

Father, please give me the right words to share with them so they may understand who you are.

Help me to raise them in such a way that they have a burning desire to follow you and commit their life to you.

I pray Father that you would clothe them in your protection against evil that seeks to devour the minds of children.

Fill every room of our home with your presence, peace, and love. I love you, Lord, and pray these things in your most precious and heavenly name. - Amen