My 4-year-old daughter has finally come to the point where she wants to wear her hair in a ponytail. Of course, this desire is random throughout the day, so there are times where she wants me to hold her ponytail holder for her. In other words, I now have two ponytail holders on my wrist each day, one for myself and one for my daughter. This is a small task to remember each morning, but as I look at both ponytail holders, it reminds me of the responsibility I have to take care of her. This responsibility is not just an emotional or physical responsibility but a spiritual one as well. Right now, I will hold her ponytail holder on my wrist and put it in her hair when she wants it. One day, she will be responsible for her own ponytail holder; she will place it on her own wrist or in her hair by herself. Right now, it is my responsibility as a Christian mom to guide my daughter’s spiritual needs. Just like I need to take care of my own walk with Jesus, I need to point my children to Jesus as well. How can you guide your child to Christ?

Teach your little one to pray.

Yes, even at the age of four and younger, teach your little ones to pray. It can be a basic prayer, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my family and my friends. Amen.” Even the basic prayers are powerful. When you hear of someone sick in your family, guide your little one in prayer. You see a first responder, pray right there in the car. Of course, keep your eyes open during that time (haha). When you are dropping your little one off at school, pray for God to be glorified in everything they say and do. Teach your little one this simple verse, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Will you sometimes forget, yes, but it is amazing when your little one reminds you and says, “Mommy, you forgot to pray for me.” That means you are doing your job well.

Have a time that you read your Bible with your family EVERDAY.

A designated time to read your Bible alongside a kids’ story Bible is hard because life is challenging, and you are exhausted. This point, along with the others, is nonnegotiable. Make reading your Bible with your children a must each day.

“But we have a busy day, and we don’t have time to read our Bible.”

“I am so tired; we will read it tomorrow.”

These are the excuses parents make when it comes to reading the Bible with their kids each day. Parents, hear me when I say this: You should not say- “I will fit God into my schedule” but instead say- “God is in charge of my schedule, I will plan everything else around prayer, church, and my time with God.”

Show your little ones how to worship in the car and at home.

Did you know we worship God in a lot of ways? We worship God in the way we spend our money, how we react towards other people, and so much more. Your kids will see these worshipful experiences, but one simple way to worship God at home is through songs. Find songs that hold biblical truths and sing them in the car, in your backyard, and in your home. I hope my neighbors hear us singing the B-I-B-L-E and have questions for us the next time we see them.

Take your kids to church.

I often tell kids at church and in my home to follow Jesus’ example. Jesus was kind; you should be kind. Jesus helped people; you should help people. Jesus prayed to God; you should pray to God. Don’t forget that Jesus went to church, and we should follow His example by regularly taking our little ones to church. Luke 4:16 reads, “And He came to Nazareth and went into the synagogue, as His custom was, and stood up to read.” Focus on the part that says, “as His custom was”. This was not on a whim that Jesus went to the synagogue, but it was something He did so regularly that Luke placed this phrase here. If Jesus thought attending church, worshipping God, studying His Word under a trained preacher, praying, and joining with fellow Christians was important, then parents, we should feel the same way. There are a lot of reasons we should go to church, and I hope Jesus doing it is enough for you.

One day, your little ones will not be at home, so use your time with intention to spiritually disciple your kids. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts and change their lives for His good. Now is your chance to make that Gospel-centered, eternal impact on your children because you might not get it back.

Julie Donavan has served in children’s and preschool ministry for 16 years and is currently the children’s minister at Hollinger’s Island Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School. Julie has written discipleship resources and leadership training for Lifeway, The Baptist Paper, and the Alabama State Board of Missions. Called to ministry at age nine, she continues to serve faithfully alongside her husband, Connor, and their two young children.