How can faith be caught as opposed to taught in the home? This is a topic that stumped me for a little while, so I asked my husband. He challenged me, “Maybe ask the kids how they caught faith in our home.” After going to my oldest daughter first, she also gave me an assignment. “Think about how you caught faith from your parents and grandparents. Do you see some of those lessons being passed down to your grandchildren?”
Wow. This really made me think.
Obviously, what my children learned from us did not start with my husband and me. They were lessons of faith we caught from our own parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents . . . lessons my grandchildren are indeed catching too. This fills my Mama/Nana heart with thankful joy, and I can’t help but praise our Savior.
Before I dive in further, I want to define “caught faith.” I’m not saying we can give our children saving faith. I mean that our witness can plant seeds of truth in their hearts, seeds that we cultivate, nourish, and water through our examples and actions. The Son is the one who causes the seed to take root and grow.
The following includes a compilation of our children’s answers along with remembrances from the past. I’d love to hear yours, too!
Simple Ways Faith is Caught
Consistency—What we say is what we do, inside and outside the home. One of the fastest ways to lose our witness to our children is to be two-faced or wishy-washy. If we really believe God’s Word, we will do our best to incorporate its truths into our everyday lives. Will we fail? Often. But that is when we can demonstrate our trust in God’s grace, mercy, and love for us. That is when we can demonstrate a repentant heart. Consistently living what we profess to believe is crucial if we want our children and their children and their children to catch faith.
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” —James 2:18 (ESV)
Dedication—We have a heartfelt conviction to love God’s people, the Church, and to serve our Lord alongside them. In the ministries to which God has called us, we faithfully use the gifts He has given us to glorify Him. Whether we teach Sunday School, keep the nursery, or write uplifting, Christ-exalting stories, our desire is to edify the Church and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. Our ministries may change with the seasons of life and as our children grow, but our reasons stay the same. Jesus is worthy. There is no hope in this life or the life to come apart from Him. And He commands us to love His Church.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34-35 (ESV)
Patience—I admit this answer surprised me because there were plenty of times I felt anything but patient. Still, I’m thankful our attempts made an impact. So, how might patience help a child catch faith? What does patience show? Trust. Faith. Dependence. Trust that God is working for the good of those who love Him (even little children who love Him). Faith that He is Sovereign and Faithful. And an acknowledgment that we are totally dependent on the Lord not only for every breath we take but also for the grace, mercy, and forgiveness that allow us to face eternal life with hope. Think of how dependent our children have been on us. How much more has our Holy Father provided for us?
“But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” —1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV)
The Fruit of the Spirit—Yes, I know patience is one of the fruit, but let’s not forget the others that are the evidence of a life changed by Jesus. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are affirmations that we are new creations. How wonderful it would be if our children caught faith because these virtues were evident in the way we’ve lived. Unfortunately, we tend to be inconsistent producers of fruit. But why? If we’re believers, shouldn’t it automatically happen? Why is it so hard to do what we know we should? We can’t bear the Fruit of the Spirit unless we abide in the Vine, who is Christ Jesus. In fact, we can do nothing good without His help, for “there is none who does good, not even one” (Psalm 53:3).
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”—John 15:4 (ESV)
As I conclude these thoughts, here are a few clarifying reminders:
Faith is a gift of God, unearned and unmerited. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as the sinless Son of God who died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. “Caught faith” does not mean saving faith; instead, it refers to seeds of faith we pray will take root, grow, and bear fruit as they are fed and watered by the gospel of Christ and the Word of God.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” —Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
What we do matters, not just what we say. It can have generational benefits or generational consequences.
We can’t do this alone. We must abide in Christ, be rooted and grounded in His Word, have Christian friends who spur us on to good works, and make worship as common as breathing.
Did our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents model this for my husband and me perfectly? No. But there was never a doubt about what they believed or Who they trusted. Have my husband and I modeled our faith perfectly? No. This mama has plenty of regrets. But like our ancestors, I hope we have left no doubt about Who we love, trust, and live for. What do our children and grandchildren see and hear in us? Are our actions and words aligned, or are they at odds? It’s worth considering.
Consistency, dedication, patience, and the fruit of the Spirit are what made a difference in my life and my children’s lives. These are the virtues that helped us catch faith. So, I’ll pass along the challenge to you: How have your children caught faith from you? How did you catch faith from believers in your own life?
