Guardians of Faith: Why Parents are Key to the Faith Development of Their Children
The spiritual development of children has long been influenced by a complex interplay of home, school, and church, yet recent studies highlight that parental involvement remains the most significant and formative factor in shaping a child’s faith. This paper argues that parents—not church programs—are the primary and most effective disciplers of their children, and that faith formation is strongest when the home and church operate in partnership rather than in isolation. This topic is increasingly relevant in contemporary Christian contexts, where many parents feel under-equipped to lead spiritually, while church leaders assume parents are already doing so, creating a widening gap in children’s discipleship. To address this, the paper examines research on parental influence in academic and socioemotional development, studies detailing how parents shape children’s images of God, data on father-child religious relationships, and literature that equips parents to disciple confidently within the home. It also reviews historical and modern church practices to reveal how the shift toward age-organized ministries inadvertently encouraged families to relinquish their discipleship role. Through this progression, the paper demonstrates that effective faith transmission requires intentional parental engagement supported—but not replaced—by the church. Ultimately, the argument advocates for a renewed model in which parents embrace their God-given responsibility as spiritual leaders, and churches commit to equipping, guiding, and collaborating with families. Only through this restored partnership can the next generation receive a faith that is lived, shared, and sustained.
CM 499, Senior Capstone
David Reed
Goodrich 104
2:30 – 3 PM