If there is one thing I’ve learned on this journey of intentional godly parenting, it’s that parenting is not a "set it and forget it" kind of deal. It is a constantly shifting, evolving journey. Just when you think you’ve finally mastered the art of the toddler bedtime routine or figured out how to explain why we don’t hit our friends, the season changes.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the seasonality of parenting. My children are now 8 and 7, and I’m realizing that the way we "do" faith in our home today looks very different from how it looked just a couple of years ago.
If you are feeling like your old routines aren't quite "fitting" anymore, or if you’re wondering what comes after the "Bible storybook" phase, this post is for you. Let’s talk about how we grow alongside our kids and embrace the beautiful, sometimes challenging, transitions in their spiritual lives.
The Season of Seeds: Bible Stories, Songs, and Drama
Cast your mind back (or maybe you are right in the thick of it now). There was a time in our house when every single night was a production. We had the colorful Bible storybooks spread out across the bed. We had the action songs, you know the ones, where you’re doing the "Father Abraham" motions until you’re out of breath. We even had little dramas where we’d act out David and Goliath or Noah’s Ark.
It was loud, it was messy, and it was wonderful.
In that season, our job was to plant seeds. We were introducing them to the characters of the faith. We wanted them to know that God is big, God is good, and the Bible is the most exciting book ever written. At that stage, discipleship is very much "parent-led." We are the storytellers, the choir directors, and the actors.
If you’re in that stage, keep going! You are building a foundation that they will stand on for the rest of their lives. If you need some ideas on how to navigate those early years, check out 6 incredible things kids aged 4-7 can do spiritually. It’s a sweet, high-energy season, but as I’ve discovered, it’s only the beginning.
The Shift: Moving from "Feeding" to "Teaching to Eat"
As my children hit the ages of 8 and 7, I noticed a shift. The Bible storybooks started to feel a bit "young" for them. They were asking deeper questions, the kind that make you pause and say, "Wow, let me think about how to answer that."
I realized that we were moving into a new season. We were transitioning from "feeding" them spiritual truths to "teaching them how to feed themselves."
Think about it like mealtime. When they were babies, we spoon-fed them. As they got older, we cut up their food. But eventually, they need to learn how to use a fork and knife for themselves. Discipleship is the same way.
Now, instead of just watching a Bible story together, we are focusing on personal time with the Lord. We want them to understand that their relationship with God isn't just an extension of our relationship with God. It’s personal.
Introducing Personal Devotions (The "Quiet Time")
Teaching a 7 or 8-year-old to spend personal time with God doesn't mean they sit in a corner for an hour in silent meditation. (Let’s be real, that’s not happening!)
For us, it means giving them the tools to engage with God on their own. This might look like:
- Giving them their own "grown-up" Bible (or a good transition Bible).
- Setting a timer for 5 or 10 minutes of "Jesus time."
- Giving them a simple journal to draw or write a "thank you" to God.
The goal isn't perfection; it’s habit. We are helping them build essential systems and structures for a godly home. We want them to grow up knowing that talking to God is as natural as breathing, and they don't need Mom or Dad to facilitate it every single time.
Active Discipleship: It’s More Than Just "Sunday School"
In this current season, we are leaning heavily into active discipleship. This means we aren't just letting life happen and hoping they catch some "God-vibes" along the way. We are being intentional.
We talk about God while we’re driving to football practice. We talk about forgiveness when there’s a fight over a Lego set. We talk about God’s provision when we’re looking at our monthly budget.
This is the "Deuteronomy 6:7" lifestyle: talking about God’s commands when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that serving God isn’t enough to raise godly kids. We can be the most active people in our church, but if we aren't actively discipling our children at home, there is a gap. At 7 and 8, they are watching to see if our faith is "real" or just something we do on Sundays.
The Power of Modeling: They Are Watching You
This brings me to the most important part of this season: Modeling.
I used to think my job was to teach them about God. Now I realize my job is to show them God.
They don’t just need to hear me pray; they need to see me praying when I’m stressed. They don’t just need to hear me talk about the Bible; they need to see me reading it on the sofa with my coffee.
If we want our children to value personal time with the Lord, they need to see that we value it. Our own faith journey is actually the best example they will ever have.
I’ve started making it a point to let them see me in my "quiet time." Sometimes they’ll come and sit next to me with their own little Bible. I don’t shoo them away. I want them to see that this is where I get my strength. I want them to hear the sound of faith in our home: not just during a structured family devotion, but in the everyday moments.
Adapting to the Pace of the Season
Every season has its challenges. In the toddler years, the challenge was physical exhaustion. In the 7 and 8-year-old years, the challenge is often business.
School, extracurriculars, friendships: life starts to get crowded. It’s easy to let intentionality slide when you’re rushing from point A to point B. This is why we have to be so protective of our family time.
Whether it’s making sure the Sunday evening shift is a priority or finding screen-free ways to connect, we have to fight for the space to disciple them.
And remember, it doesn't have to be perfect. There are days when we miss our morning prayer. There are days when I lose my temper and have to ask for their forgiveness. That’s okay. In fact, that’s part of the modeling! Showing them how a Christian handles failure is just as important as showing them how a Christian handles success. Intentional beats perfect every time.
Growing Together
The most beautiful thing about the seasonality of parenting is that we grow too.
As my children move into this stage of independence and deeper thought, my own faith is being challenged. Their questions force me to dig deeper into the Word. Their developing prayer lives remind me of the power of simple, childlike trust.
We are growing together.
If you’re feeling a bit lost in your current season, take a breath. God has given you exactly what you need for today. If your kids are little, enjoy the songs and the drama. If they are getting older, lean into the conversations and the modeling.
The methods will change, the routines will evolve, but the goal remains the same: to point them to the heart of the Father.
What season are you in right now? Are you in the "Bible story and drama" phase, or are you starting to navigate the "personal time and modeling" phase? Whatever it is, know that you aren't doing it alone. We are all just parents on a journey of faith and growth.
Let’s keep being intentional, keep being godly, and keep growing: together.
