Spiritual Formation of Children

When it concerns the spiritual formation of our children, the stakes are very high. As believers, it is not whether we are spiritually forming our children, but whether the spiritual formation they are receiving is true and biblical. Our children are always being formed by someone or something. If we do not take the lead in the spiritual formation of our children, you can bet that pop culture, peer relationships, a vast array of media outlets, or their internal feelings will be happy to take over that lead role for you. 

In many instances today, feelings have become the personal and cultural standard by which to judge right and wrong behavior. And those feelings are fed and driven by the world in which they live as well as their own sinful nature. “If it feels good; do it” has become a highly celebrated philosophy in our culture. We are witnessing in real time a culture that acts on feelings first and the results are devastating. One of the reigning axioms of our day is to “follow one’s own heart.” This is what one theologian aptly calls Jiminy Cricket theology. This philosophy directly contradicts what God has to say about the human heart in His Word, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) 

Our feelings are vitally important to us to be sure. It is our feelings that inform us when something is wrong or when we experience pain. It is also our feelings that express happiness, loneliness, excitement, and a whole litany of other life experiences. When we are thinking biblically, our feelings should act as a great servant, but left to our sinful propensities, our feelings quickly become tyrannical masters. 

Our sinful human default is to follow the pattern of the world. But Romans 12:2 commands us “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

One Barna Study reveals that “At best, many young believers don’t know why they believe what they believe. Often, those who think they do have never had their foundation of faith seriously challenged. Worst, many 18 to 25-year-olds have no hold on what Christianity actually teaches at all. Barna’s research on the matter concludes that “less than one-half of one percent of adults in the Mosaic generation — i.e., those aged 18 to 23 — have a biblical worldview.” 

I have heard many professing Christians say that they want to be careful not to indoctrinate their children, or shove religion and the Bible down their children’s throats for fear they may be turned off by it later in life. But we would never even dream of employing this irresponsible approach when it concerns other fields of discipline like math, science, or logic. 

Every student will leave home one day and their worldview will be challenged. It is our duty to make sure they are grounded in biblical truth and sound biblical doctrine. Therefore, it is imperative that we seek wise counsel in training up our children in the way they should go, (so that) when they are old, they will not depart from it. 

Of course, training our kids doesn’t save them from their sins. Spiritual formation does not confer new birth. But it certainly provides pathways for right thinking and shows them a model of grace. 

Just a few basics to consider.

1. Young minds hold on to things like a steel trap.

Many scripture verses remain lodged in my mind thanks to being raised in church and memorizing Scripture in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. Children will amaze you by how much information they can memorize through song and rhyme. Many former heathens had much Scripture packed into their minds as children and God eventually used those truths to convict and convert them. Think of the Apostle Paul; As a Pharisee, he would have been steeped in the Old Testament, and just like that-WHAMO! All that scripture came to life when The Lord opened his eyes on the road to Damascus. None of it was wasted. Remember: The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me-I stand alone on the Word of God, The B-I-B-L-E! And yes, you will be singing it all day long. You’re welcome. 

2. Teaching children biblical truth does not save them, but it places them in a state of grace. 

Memorized biblical truths will remain into adulthood and can serve as a tool in God’s hand. Reading God’s Word out loud to your children at home has incredible benefits for everyone in the house. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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 6:6-7) 

3. Spiritual Formation gives children a framework for interpreting life. 

Teaching your children any number of classic catechisms provides them with a well-rounded Christian worldview. The Apostles’ Creed, The Westminster Shorter Catechism, and The Lord’s Prayer are simple and effective ways to get started. Teach Trinitarian doctrine by introducing them to the Creating Father in the opening passages of scripture; how the world went wrong and the promise of a redeemer who repairs it in The Son, and how new life is given to those He calls His own through The Spirit. This begins by introducing them to all the vital doctrines of Scripture, and it equips them with answers when the world begins to challenge their faith. 

4. Seeds of truth planted now may bloom into a harvest of grace. 

Spiritual formation requires discipline. They may flit and flutter and do back handsprings on the couch while you read. But their little minds are soaking it in. Teaching children the eternal truth of Christianity is an exercise in sowing seeds. It requires diligence and patience. Jesus’s parable of the growing seed in Mark 4 encourages this 

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” - Mark 4:26-28 

Your job is to exercise a faithful trust; God’s job is to keep His promise that it will not return to Him void. 

Post Tenebras Lux (After Darkness Light) 

Teach your children and watch God work. It may please him to open their blind eyes now, or maybe not until later. Indeed, memorized truth could eventually become light in a very dark place or time of their lives. Watch and wait as they begin seeking more and more solid food as you faithfully question and teach them. Hebrews 5:14 teaches us that “solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” 

Spiritual formation leads to transformation in the hands of the Holy Spirit. This is no simple process of assimilating information. The Word of God quickens by the Spirit of God to inform our minds of the truth of God’s Word which results in the transforming of our hearts. This is the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. God has a part to do in the spiritual formation of our children and we have a part in the spiritual formation of our children. We cannot do God’s part and He will not do ours.