"Mom, my teacher said the Bible is just myths." "Dad, why do we believe in God when none of my friends do?" These questions can make Christian parents' hearts skip a beat, but they're increasingly common in today's world. How do we raise children who are both faithful and prepared for life in a secular society? As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

First, let's acknowledge that this isn't entirely new. Daniel raised his children in Babylon, and Jewish parents have been preserving their faith in diverse cultures for millennia. What's different today is the speed of cultural change and the constant connectivity our kids experience. Like Joshua, today's parents must declare, "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15) in a world that increasingly views faith as irrelevant.

The key isn't to create a bubble around our children – that often backfires when they encounter the real world. Instead, we need to help them develop a robust faith that can withstand questioning. Jesus himself encouraged seeking and questioning, saying "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). This means creating space for doubts and questions at home, so they don't feel they have to choose between faith and intellectual honesty.

Consider making dinner table discussions a time for open conversation about faith, doubt, and real-world challenges. When your child asks tough questions, respond with "That's a great question! Let's explore that together" rather than defensiveness or quick answers. This approach helps them see faith as something that can handle scrutiny. As 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, we should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

Parents can help children build a strong foundation by:

  • Modeling authentic faith through daily life, not just Sunday attendance

  • Teaching apologetics in age-appropriate ways

  • Encouraging critical thinking about both faith and secular claims

  • Creating strong connections with other Christian families and mentors

  • Engaging in regular service projects that demonstrate faith in action

It's crucial to help children understand that following Jesus doesn't mean having all the answers. Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus, had moments of doubt and questioning. Thomas doubted until he could see for himself, and Jesus responded with patience and evidence, not condemnation (John 20:24-29).

In today's digital age, parents must also help children navigate online influences. This means teaching them to think critically about what they encounter on social media and the internet. As Paul wrote, "Test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This principle applies to both religious and secular content they encounter.

Remember, our goal isn't to control what our children believe forever, but to give them roots and wings – roots in faith and wings to explore and make that faith their own. We're called to be "faithful witnesses" (Revelation 2:13), not dictators of belief. This means demonstrating a faith that engages with the world while remaining anchored in truth.

The apostle Paul's words to Timothy serve as an excellent model for raising children in faith: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Through it all, parents must remember that while we can plant and water, ultimately God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). Our role is to faithfully nurture our children's spiritual development while trusting God with the results. In doing so, we can help raise a generation that's both grounded in faith and prepared to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly secular world.