What is faith and how can we explain it to our kids? By dictionary definition it is a confidence in a person or thing, or a believe that is not based on proof. That is what the bible says also.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
One week we discussed Noah in our Sunday morning adult and kids service. We sent home a family devotion to encourage discussions between parents and their kids, specifically about what we learned on Sunday. One of the questions was “What is faith?”, with Hebrews 11:1 as the verse to read that day.
Faith is often we take for granted. As adults, often we simply believe because that is what we are supposed to do. Other times, having faith in something you know to be true is not so easy. How then can we expect a child to understand faith when we ourselves do not always grasp the concept?
It may not be as difficult as you think. When I was having the discussion with my 8 year old daughter she read Hebrews 11 and still did not understand what faith is. So we talked a little. By the time we were doing, her definition of faith was believing in something you can’t see. And she is right.
How to teach kids about faith
I asked her who created the world. Of course she answered God, and I asked her how did she know. She said she knew because he made everything. I asked her how did she know that God made everything. “Because the bible says he did” was her reply.
I asked if she was there to see it when he created the world. Of course she wasn’t. So I told her it took faith for her to believe that God created the world. That is when she got it. Faith is believing something that she didn’t see. There are lots of things that we believe in that we cannot see. We cannot see the air, yet we know it is there. We see the effects of the wind yet we cannot see the wind itself. Noah believed God would cause a flood, though he had never seen rain. Noah had faith just like we do.
An important thing to remember: your child may not remember your specific conversations, but when you make it a habit to have spiritual conversations they will remember that you spent time talking to them. You do not have to have all the answers. The important thing is you spend time in discussion, and that you try.
Faith is believing in something you can’t see
How would you define faith? How do you explain faith to your kids? Is it a hard thing to do?
Are you
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Your child’s relationship with God must extend beyond Sunday morning. Parents have to take a leading role in the discipleship of their kids. Based on the Fruit of the Spirit, Got Fruit? is an effective tool to help parents disciple their children. If you are looking for help with your family devotion time, Got Fruit? is for you! Through this devotional you will be guided through discussions that build on each of the 9 fruits of the spirit. Each of the 9 devotionals include bible passages that highlight the highlighted fruit as well as a few related thoughts. Also included is a series of discussion questions that will help you guide your children in a conversation to bring truth and understanding. This short devotional is a perfect tool to guide you as you disciple your children into a deeper relationship and understanding with God.
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