If you’ve been a mom for more than five minutes, you know our culture is not exactly cheering us on as we raise kids who love Jesus and follow Him.
Between peer pressure, social media, and an endless stream of messages that don’t line up with God’s truth, it’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked against us. But here’s the good news…
God didn’t put you in this generation of motherhood by accident. He chose you, with your personality, your kids, and your home, for such a time as this.
And the most powerful tool we have in this cultural moment? It’s not control—it’s influence.
As much as I sometimes wish I could control my four boys’ choices (ages 16 down to 7), I know that lasting faith can’t be forced. We can’t make our kids love Jesus. But we can create an environment—through how we live, speak, pray, and love—that draws their hearts toward Him.
How to Raise Kids Who Love Jesus
Here are 5 simple, tangible ways to raise kids who know and love Jesus, even in a world that doesn’t.
1. Anchor Your Family in God’s Word
In our home, one of our favorite rhythms is almost-daily family devotions after dinner. Nothing fancy—sometimes it’s reading a short passage and talking about it, sometimes it’s worship songs while we sit on the floor, and sometimes it’s answering a “how does this apply to our day?” question.
That consistent time together plants seeds we can water throughout the day. It also gives our kids a framework for what’s true, so when the world shouts its own version, they have something solid to hold on to.
Tip: Start small. Read a Psalm together before bed or memorize one short verse a week. Faith habits grow over time, and they don’t have to look perfect to be powerful. The goal is to create a new habit of faith being a priority.
2. Model a Genuine Relationship with Jesus
Our kids need to see that faith isn’t just a “Sunday thing.” They need to see us reading our Bible when no one’s telling us to. They need to overhear our whispered prayers while we’re making dinner. They need to hear us apologize and ask for forgiveness when we are wrong or messed up. They need to see us run to God—not just when life falls apart—but in the everyday moments, too.
One of the most powerful ways to disciple our children is simply to let them see our own walk with Jesus.
Tip: Let your kids in on your spiritual life. Share what God is teaching you, seek reconciliation when you’ve messed up, and let them see grace in action.
3. Shape Their Character, Not Just Their Behavior
I’ve learned that telling my kids “don’t” all day long doesn’t work—at least not for the long-term. Instead, I want to train them in godly character by helping them understand why their actions matter and how God calls us to live.
When conflict pops up, we slow down to talk about the feelings and beliefs underneath it. We ask, “What does God’s Word say about this?” We role-play better responses, “rewind and try again” when needed, and celebrate every choice that reflects Christ’s heart.
Tip: Think “heart over hands.” God cares more about who our kids are becoming than just what they’re doing. Help them understand that the sin in their heart is what we are most concerned about – not looking good on the outside.
4. Make Faith Part of Everyday Life
Discipleship isn’t a program—it’s a way of living. We weave Scripture and God’s truth into conversations in the car, bedtime prayers, and kitchen dance parties to worship music.
We talk about missionaries we support. We bake cookies for neighbors. We invite friends over for a meal and share stories of God’s goodness. We read about Christian heroes from the past. Every one of these moments is a seed planted in their hearts.
Tip: Look for the natural moments—on a walk, in a carpool, during a game—and point to God’s hand in them. “Eye spy God” is a great silly game to play with littles. Or praying every time you hear an ambulance siren.
5. Pray Big, Consistent Prayers Over Your Kids
There’s no substitute for prayer. It’s the one thing we can do whether our kids are 3 or 30. I often pray Paul’s words in Philippians 1:9-11 over my boys:
“That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
God hears the prayers of a mama’s heart—and He’s faithful to move.
Tip: Pick one verse to pray over your kids daily for a month. Pray it over them while you are in carline or before you tuck them in at night. Let it become part of your conversations with them.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Mama, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection. We’re not raising kids for our own comfort or reputation; we’re raising them to know the One who loves them more than we ever could and bring Jesus glory.
And that means we’ve got to plant our own roots deep in God’s truth so we can disciple from the overflow of what He is doing in and through us.
If you want a simple, grace-filled place to start rooting yourself deeply in who God says you are, I’d love to gift you my ROOTED: 5-Day Devotional for Moms. It’s designed to help you grow in your own walk with Jesus so you can lead your kids from a place of peace, joy, and unshakable faith.
Let’s raise a generation who stands firm in Christ—together.