How to teach your children about faith

Some advice on what to say and what to avoid when talking to your children about the faith.

Teach your children about the faith
Everyone has to decide how to go about their spiritual journey alone. However, it is the responsibility of parents to provide context, stories and principles of faith for children in their family. We must commit and transmit our faith with humility and wisdom, while understanding that the faith of our children will develop differently from ours. And most importantly, we must live by example.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have parents who taught me and my siblings the importance of faith from how they lived every day. When I was seven, I remember walking to church with my father on a Sunday. Before entering the building, I asked him for money for the collection plate. My father put his hand in his pocket and handed me a nickel. I was embarrassed by the amount of money he gave me, so I asked him for more. In response, he taught me a valuable lesson: the important thing is the reason for giving, not how much money you give. Years later, I found out that my father didn't have much money to give at the time, but he always gave what he could, whatever. On that day, my father taught me the spirituality of generosity.

We must also teach our children that although life is tough, everything is possible through hope, faith and prayer. Regardless of what our children face, God is always with them. And when they challenge and question our beliefs and affirmations, we must embrace their resistance in a positive way, allowing everyone involved to grow and learn from the situation. Above all, we must make sure that our children know that we love them regardless of the path they choose.

Lord, give us the wisdom and courage to pass on the gift of faith to the next generation.