Pastors get opportunities to have a multitude of different conversations about God, faith, and Scripture. Recently, I was in a conversation with another parent about our kids’ faith formation. As we talked, they shared that they had decided to let their kids make their own decisions about faith. In practice, this approach is not a bad idea. We want our children to take responsibility for all their beliefs and actions. The rub was, they put this plan into practice by not bringing their kids to Sunday School or any other church activity.

In my opinion, this approach does not help kids make choices about their faith life. Instead, this method asks them to build a spiritual house without any tools. By not exploring faith with your kids, we actively teach them apathy toward faith.

At Prince of Peace, we strive to help all our people have lifelong and fruitful faith experiences. These experiences develop a faith that helps you in life’s valleys and enriches your mountaintop experiences. We do this mainly through weekly worship, along with all the various programs we have at POP.

To focus in on just one event, think about VBS. At VBS, faith development happens on multiple levels. Kids sing and learn stories about God’s out-of-this-world love for them. Tweens and teens step up to be leaders and conduits for God’s work. Adults share about their experiences of God in the world and in their lives.

Whether you’re an adult or a kid, it’s always healthy to take a moment and reflect on how you are nurturing your relationship with God. My challenge to you is to spend a few minutes this week asking God to help you develop your faith and that of those around you.

When you tend to your physical fitness, you feel better. When you tend to your dental health, you have fewer tooth problems. Similarly, when you tend to the health of your spirituality, your life and relationships become deeper and more meaningful. What’s your spiritual version of “an apple a day?”

God’s Peace,

Pastor Tim