Let’s be real. A few hours per week with our church kids never feels like enough! We spend all week preparing and pouring our hearts into teaching them about Jesus, praying for them, and creating a space where they can encounter God. But after church, Monday comes, and they’re back in their world of school, sports, screens, and social pressures.

Is a few hours per week enough to make a difference in their lives? How do we help them carry what they learn on Sundays into their entire week?

Here’s the good news: Jesus never intended our faith to be a “Sunday thing.” It’s a life thing. And while we may only see our kids once or twice a week, the Holy Spirit is with them 24/7. Our job is to equip them, inspire them, and remind them that they can live for Jesus every single day.

I remember one Wednesday night when I received a message from a parent about their daughter, Emily. She was about seven years old at the time and had been coming to Harvest Kids for a while. That Sunday, we talked about hearing God’s voice and how He speaks in different ways. I encouraged the kids to ask God to show them someone they could encourage that week. You never really know how many of them will take on the challenge.

Well, Emily took it seriously. That Tuesday at school, she noticed a classmate sitting alone at lunch, looking sad. Instead of ignoring it, she felt a nudge in her heart. She knew that God was showing her who to encourage. So she walked over, sat down, and said, “I feel like God wants you to know you’re not alone.” That little act of obedience opened up a conversation, and Emily got to pray for her classmate right there in the cafeteria!

Her mom later told me, “Emily is realizing that God isn’t just for Sundays at church. He is with her every day and everywhere she goes.”

That’s it! That’s the goal! We don’t just want kids to know about God. We want them to know He is real, alive, active, and ready to use them every day.

So, how do we help more kids like Emily take their faith beyond Sundays? Here are a few simple ways to encourage them:

1. Give Them a “Monday Mission”

End each Sunday lesson with a challenge: “Ask Jesus to show you one way to love someone this week.” Keep it simple but intentional, and give them examples so they have clarity. Whether it’s helping a friend, praying for someone, or sharing a Bible verse, kids love a mission!

2. Teach Them to Hear God’s Voice

One thing we strongly believe at our church is that there is no “Junior Holy Spirit.” The same God who speaks to adults speaks to kids. Help them recognize when He’s leading them—whether through a thought, a picture in their mind, a feeling of peace, or even a Bible verse that stands out. Make space to regularly “practice” hearing from God in your kids' services.

3. Encourage Daily Conversations with Jesus

Faith grows in relationship, and relationship grows through conversation. Teach kids that prayer isn’t just for bedtime and meals—it’s a constant, open conversation with Jesus. Encourage them to talk to Him about their day, their worries, and their dreams.

4. Empower Parents to Disciple Their Kids at Home

We may only see kids for a few hours per week, but parents see them every day. Think about what types of resources would benefit your parents most as they disciple their children and help reinforce what they’re learning at church.

Maybe it’s a family devotional based on your current series. Maybe it’s sending out a simple weekly encouragement—like a text, email, or social media post—with questions to spark conversations about faith at home. There are so many possibilities!

5. Celebrate Their Stories

When kids step out in faith during the week, make a big deal about it! Share testimonies on Sundays, highlight their stories in kids’ church, or let them tell the group what God did. When kids see that their faith makes an impact, they’ll want to keep going.

You’re Making a Difference!

Sometimes, it can be easy to feel like what we do on Sundays gets lost in the busyness of the week. But don’t underestimate the seeds you’re planting! The words you speak, the prayers you pray, and the moments kids encounter God—they all matter.

We may only get a few hours, but those few hours can be powerful and life-changing. Let’s be intentional with that time so we can equip our kids to live out their faith beyond Sundays and become world-changers every day of the week!

Alysia Gonzales is the Executive Pastor of Ministries at Harvest Church in CA. She oversees kids ministries to ensure the church's culture is consistently maintained at each campus. Her desire is to empower KidMin leaders to lead with purpose and passion, and to see the next generation raised up ready to influence the church and the world with the power and love of Jesus.