7 Things I've Learned About Transferring My Faith to My Kids

Mother and Minister

After twenty-seven years of raising kids, I’ve put on a lot of miles in my adventure as a mom. I birthed five, strong-willed, independent-thinking young men beginning with my firstborn in 1984. Being the mom of five busy boys, my thoughts were often occupied with ever-breeding laundry, sticky kitchen floors, dwindling groceries, school work and sports’ injuries, but my overriding mission and passion has always been more about imparting my beliefs to my five growing sons than simply managing my loud, action-packed household.

My faith is a big part of my life – so big that I’ve been serving churches as a pastor’s wife for more years than I’ve been raising my kids. My duel role as mother and minister has taught me a whole lot about transferring my faith to the next generation.

Denise Mira, public speaker, educator, author of No Ordinary Child: Unlocking the Leader Within Your Child, monthly columnist, and contributing author to many publications, has been married to Gregory for 31 years. They are the parents of five sons. For more information visit www.denisemira.com.

I’m Not Alone in My Mission!

With modern heroes for our sons like Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, and Knicks star Jeremy Lin, boldly proclaiming their wholehearted faith across the airwaves, we’ve got some great allies on our side. And more keep emerging. Just a few weeks ago, 21-year old Kylie Bisutti, the model who beat out some 10,000 other models for a Victoria's Secret contract back in 2009, is ending her two-year career as a lingerie model due to her strong Christian beliefs. She was concerned about the example she was setting for young girls. These three young adults are risking a lot to be so vocal about their beliefs. We’re the benefactors. As our boys were growing up we bought biographies, videos and hauled our kids to events where they could listen to their culture’s heroes expound on their personal faith. It was worth the investment.

I Can Influence My Teens' Spiritual Lives

I’ve learned how to influence my teens in their spiritual lives, even when I’m feeling quite low on their priority list. As our children grow older, we can feel distanced from them due to their busy lives and social calendar. Their one-word answers to our questions don’t leave much room for discussing our thoughts about our faith. Here’s my favorite way to break through and bond: Grab some lotion and treat them to a good, long foot and shoulder rub at bedtime. Many deep and meaningful conversations about life, and biblical values and God have ensued during Mom’s Massages. I’ve also found that cooking their favorite foods together is a great opportunity to interact and stir much-needed discussion between us. Your influence in the lives of your children is immeasurable, even through the bumpy adolescent years when you might feel invisible to them. Use your power to impart your priceless treasure – your faith.

Get in the Game

I’ve learned that parents who ‘get in the game’ have an amazing advantage! Five years ago, the National Study of Youth and Religion was published, indicating that parents have more sway over the religious lives of their children than is often perceived. While many churches have focused on the educational content of Sunday school, youth group meetings, and small group Bible studies, the study suggests that the ‘hidden curriculum’ of parental lives is the most powerful religious curriculum of all. It’s simply not enough to ‘send’ our kids to a church building or a youth activity to learn about our faith, we’ve got to make strides to grow in our faith as parents and take our kids with us on the journey!