Why Early Childhood Faith Matters

Sowing Seeds for a Lifetime of Faith

When we think about faith formation in children, we often jump to what older kids can understand—Bible stories, memory verses, and prayer practices. But what about our littlest ones? While many churches are warm and welcoming to young children, the nursery and preschool are sometimes seen more as childcare than sacred spaces for spiritual growth. The truth is the early years—especially the first five—are deeply formative. During this time, children experience tremendous physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. If we recognize how important these years are for every other area of growth, shouldn’t we consider them just as essential for faith development? Being intentional about discipling young children helps nurture their God-given spirituality and can shape their understanding of God for years to come. In this article, we’ll explore why early faith formation matters, what it looks like, and how you can engage even the youngest children in meaningful spiritual experiences.

The Profound Significance of Early Childhood Faith

In the first five years of life, young children are growing by leaps and bounds.  Physically, they grow from being held all the time to crawling, climbing, walking, and running.  Language development strengthens each year, and by the time a young child is in preschool, they know between 1000-2000 words.  As young children become more independent, they learn to express their emotions and feelings as they socially engage with others.  Spiritually, a young child has a sense that God loves them, and they can love and trust in him. They are also learning that the church can be a safe and loving place.  Preschoolers form understandings of God, the church, and the world around them through their interactions and observations of their parents, pastors, and church community.

One of the greatest gifts of childhood is the ability to wonder and be curious. Early childhood faith development nurtures this natural openness, helping children form a sense of trust, belonging, and identity in God’s love. Preschool discipleship allows young hearts to experience spiritual truths through simple, childlike ways such as play, story, and relationship, laying a strong foundation for lifelong faith. In contrast, a secular or delayed approach may prioritize cognitive skills without addressing spiritual formation, missing the chance to shape values and purpose early on. Integrating faith early helps children grow with resilience, empathy, and a deep sense of God’s presence in their lives.

Age-Appropriate Understanding of God

Young children are capable of understanding foundational, experiential truths about God that shape their early faith. Through loving relationships with caregivers, they begin to grasp that God is kind, present, and trustworthy. As language develops, so does their vocabulary of faith—words like “Jesus,” “prayer,” and “love” become meaningful. Though their concept of God may be concrete—perhaps picturing him like a grandfather figure—they understand that God is special, powerful, and real. Most importantly, they come to know that God loves them deeply, listens when they talk to Him, and is always with them, just like the people they trust most.

Faith for young children is not built on complex theology but on consistent relationships and meaningful everyday experiences. Young children explore the world with wonder, imagination, and a deep desire to connect, and in a preschool setting, foundational teaching happens through story, song, art, and play—tools that align naturally with a child’s way of learning. Their faith is shaped through daily interactions with what Westerhoff calls other “faithing selves”—other Christ followers who model love, patience, and trust in God. Rather than abstract concepts, they learn that God is near, kind, and present in ordinary moments: a comforting hug, a shared prayer, or a joyful song. Meaning-making for children is holistic; it engages their senses, emotions, and bodies, not just their minds. Faith becomes part of their lived reality, forming a mosaic of experiences that teach them God is good, trustworthy, and always with them.

Practical Discipleship in Action

Parents play a vital role in a young child’s faith by simply living out their beliefs in everyday life. Many wonder how to share faith with a young one, but it often begins with modeling—letting children see faith in action through kindness, forgiveness, service, and gratitude. Preschool discipleship at home doesn’t require formal lessons; it grows through simple, consistent practices. Bedtime prayers, grace before meals, and reading short Bible stories together help build a spiritual rhythm. Everyday conversations—like noticing beauty in nature or talking about caring for others—create natural faith moments. Sharing faith with a young child also happens through music and play: singing worship songs, acting out Bible stories, or using toys to retell familiar parables. When parents invite God into the ordinary, they show their child that faith is not just something we believe, but something we live joyfully and daily.

The church, including the nursery, early childhood Sunday School, and Christian preschools, also plays a significant role in the spiritual development of young children. These early ministry environments are far more than childcare—they are sacred spaces where foundational truths about God are first experienced. Through thoughtful relationships and intentional, age-appropriate curriculum that emphasizes God’s love, key Bible stories, and simple worship, children begin to form their understanding of faith. Creating safe, engaging classrooms where children feel valued and secure allows them to explore faith with confidence and joy. Ministry leaders serve not only the children but also their families by equipping parents with resources, training, and encouragement to continue faith practices at home. When church and home work in partnership, young children receive a consistent message: God loves them, their faith matters, and the church is a place where they belong.

Creating what I call “a consistent ecosystem of faith” means nurturing a strong partnership between home and church in a child’s early spiritual journey. When both environments reflect shared values, language, and rhythms of faith, young children experience a seamless and meaningful foundation. This synergy reinforces that faith isn’t confined to one place or one day, but is a way of life. In this community of care, children witness what it means to live a faith-filled life—through the love of a parent, the welcome of a church member, the joy of worship, and the kindness of others. Together, home and church create a living example of God’s presence in everyday life, shaping a child’s heart and imagination for lifelong faith.

A Legacy of Lasting Faith

Sowing seeds of faith in the earliest years is not only possible—it’s powerful. When we honor the spiritual capacity of young children and intentionally nurture it through relationships, routines, and rich experiences, we lay a foundation that can shape their entire lives. Intentional early childhood discipleship builds robust, lasting faith—rooted in love, expressed in belonging, and sustained by trust in a God who is near. Whether at home or in church, every prayer, story, song, and act of care becomes a sacred moment that helps shape a child’s lifelong journey with God. Parents and ministry leaders alike play vital roles in this process. Be encouraged: you don’t need to be perfect—what matters most is consistency, grace, and showing up in faith. Nurturing the spiritual lives of the youngest generation is a profound privilege and responsibility, and as we walk alongside children in their faith, we often find our own deepened and renewed.