Over the last several years, a growing body of research has shown that talking about faith at home is one of the most important ingredients to a lasting faith. Children’s ministry leaders can often be found online and at conferences brainstorming how to help parents engage faith with their kids at home. It’s a hard job, though, for both ministry leaders and parents.
Ministry leaders often try to add family discipleship to a list of programming and administrative responsibilities, while we have it straight from the Surgeon General’s desk that parents are overwhelmed and burned out. Additionally, parents’ comfort levels and experience with engaging faith with their kids are varied and can be hard to discern.
Finding just the right resource for each family is a daunting task, and there’s often no clear option that will work for everyone. So, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite family discipleship resources to help parents practice faith with their kids. These suggestions are for parents looking for a way to read the Bible with their kids, hoping to pray as a family, or just wanting some simple tips for incorporating faith into their daily life. These suggestions are also for ministry leaders. Familiarize yourself with these resources so that you can recommend a resource that fits the family or situation before you.
Disclaimer: CFC earns money for items purchased through our Amazon associate links. Resources not included on this list are linked through the photos.
Family Devotional Resources
Every family is unique, and the resources and rhythms that will support your family as you seek to engage with scripture, communicate with God through prayer, and live a life of following Jesus will vary as your family grows and changes. This list includes a variety of different tools that can help your family meet Jesus in everyday moments.
The market is full of great family discipleship materials, but we tried to curate a brief list that shows the variety of options available.
The Peace Table
This interactive Bible storybook includes many stories from the Old and New Testaments. Illustrations from various artists convey the diversity of the kingdom of God, and thoughtful discussion questions foster wonder and engagement with God’s word.
The Gospel Story Hymnal
This collection of over 150 hymns organized by the seasons of the church year retells the big story of scripture and includes kid-friendly notes and ideas for living out the faith. Our very own Resource Director is one of the authors!
God’s Big Story Cards
These cards foster interactive engagement with scripture through wonder, creativity, prayer, and play. Each card accompanies a specific story from Scripture and includes the reference. The set includes a color-coded die that can be used to select engagement ideas.
Everyday Family Faith
This small, durable booklet provides a great way for families to engage in prayer and discussion throughout the week. The daily tabs make it easy to navigate, and the simplicity keeps it practical and usable.
Faith5
Faith5 is an easy-to-follow format families can use to experience faith together. Combining the five actions of sharing highs and lows, reading scripture, talking about the scripture, praying, and blessing one another, Faith5 is simple enough that children can initiate and lead the process themselves. Whether shared around the dinner table or during a bedtime routine, Faith5 provides an excellent way for families to connect to God and one another and to share faith together.
Little Prayers for Ordinary Days
This collection of short, beautiful prayers is written for the moments of a child’s life, from the death of a pet to cleaning a room to making a piece of artwork. We love how this book blesses children’s everyday experiences as a place to meet God.
Good Night, God
This board book makes it simple to practice reflecting on the day as a family. A family could use this book each evening to pray together, noticing God in their day and asking for God’s help in the day to come.
Discipleship Resources for Parents
These resources are just for you, parents! We are here to support you as you love and serve your kids in the way of Jesus. We love how these books will equip you to understand how children’s faith is formed, notice what God is already doing in your life and in the lives of your kids, and inspire you with ideas of how your family might live faith together!
Teach Your Children Well
A brief explanation of how faith is developed is followed by really practical strategies for making faith a natural part of family life and conversation. Parents will find the author’s conversational, winsome writing style encouraging and refreshing.
The Child in Our Midst Podcast
Hosted by our Managing Director and Resource Director, this conversational podcast explores and reflects a high view of children for Christian parents. Episodes include conversations with experts and questions from real kids.
Enjoying Faith Together
Whether you pick something from this list, we hope you’re inspired to enjoy sharing faith with your kids. Remember that resources should suit the family you have, and they should offer a springboard to your own special time of connection around the person of Jesus as a family. If you were looking for a resource, we hope you found one. Do you have a favorite resource that helps families connect with God and one another? Shout it out in the comments!