Check out these findings from a recent survey by John Trent.  He interviewed several hundred parents with small children who attend a large church:

• Parents were asked, “Do you think it’s important to pass down your faith to your children?”  As you might expect, more then 90 percent said, “Yes!  It’s very important!”
• “Do you think your child will have a strong faith when he or she gets out of college?”  Again, 90 percent of those responding said, “You bet!”
• “Outside of going to church, what are you doing intentionally to introduce and build a growing faith in your child?”  Fewer than 30 percent were doing anything purposefully to meet that goal during the 166 hours a week their children were at home.

Think about that.  These well-intentioned, church-going parents strongly believed they should be involved in their children’s faith development.  They were also highly confident that their children would embrace their faith by the time they were on their own.  But when it came to actually preparing their kids, they were just dropping them off at church for an hour or two a week.  Of course, that is a good start, but what about the other 166 hours they are not in church?
 
Don’t let that be the story in your home.  This year do something different.  Realize the incredible impact you can have on your child, helping him or her grow in their faith.  Pick one of these ideas and go for it.  It’s not rocket science!  You can do it!

1. Look for “God sightings.”  Look for times or situations where you see God at work.  Point out his creations or works of beauty or the way he works through someone you know.  Talk about these sightings when they occur or take turns at dinner sharing a God sighting.  Not everyone will have one every day, but the more you point out, the more everyone will notice.
2. Use your Christmas cards from friends as a prayer cards.  Pick one card a week and pray out loud together for that family.
3. If you don’t already, pray out loud at meals and/or bed time.
4. Start a family journal.  Use it to share special thoughts about how God is at work in your family or how you appreciate one another.  Just buy a simple journal that will be easy for all ages in your home to use.  Then put it where everyone knows to find it.  Write something to one of your family members when you feel compelled and leave it on that person’s pillow at night.  Then it goes back to its special place until someone else wants to write in it.  To get this tradition really going, you make a point to write something at least two times a week until it catches on.
5. Choose a family devotion book at a Christian bookstore, and choose one night a week to have a 30-minute devotion time.  You can find lots of resources online as well.  These do not have to be elaborate.  Many are very fun and just open the door for conversations about faith.  Choose a resource that fits the needs of your family.