My nonverbal preschooler giggled from behind the closed closet doors. I lay on the floor, pretending to weep while another child slipped behind me, opening the closet doors for him. The little giggler tiptoed around me, then climbed the ladder to the top bunk, hiding under the covers.
When I knew he was gone, I lifted my head and gasped in fake astonishment at the empty closet. My older son grinned and shouted, “Jesus is alive!”
My little one scrambled down from the bunk bed, and we all cheered and danced.
We had just re-enacted the story of Jesus’ resurrection, a quick, two-minute activity I came up with to help my nonverbal 3-year-old connect with the Bible. He loved it. And then, of course, we had to do it five more times!
That little moment took almost no time, yet it sparked joy, curiosity, and faith in my kids.
The Power of Little Moments
There was the car ride after we finished The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, when we talked about Jesus’ sacrifice (without using the words “substitutionary atonement”).
There was the bedtime prayer with my eldest when he felt left out at school.
The quiet conversation about heaven when someone we knew passed away.
The reminder to listen to the Holy Spirit’s nudge in our hearts.
These moments were short, usually 30 seconds or less, but they were deep. And they add up.
Think of them like putting a dime into a savings account. A single dime isn’t much. But over a lifetime, with daily deposits and the compound interest of God’s grace, the investment grows beyond imagination.
How to Teach Kids About God When You’re Busy
If the thought of teaching children about God feels overwhelming, here’s good news: you don’t need a theology degree or 30 uninterrupted minutes each day.
Instead, look for small opportunities, like Deuteronomy 6:6-7 describes:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
The Israelites weren’t told to add something extra to their busy lives; they were told to talk about God in the moments they already had.
You can do the same today:
- In the car
- At the breakfast table
- While brushing teeth
- Waiting for the school bus
- At bedtime
Practical 30-Second Faith Moments
Here are simple ways to start teaching children about God in your daily routine:
- At dinner: Ask each child one way they saw God’s goodness that day.
- On a walk: Point out a beautiful flower or bird and thank God for His creation.
- While shopping, talk about giving and generosity when you pass a charity collection box.
- Before bed: Say one sentence of gratitude together.
These quick but meaningful touches weave faith naturally into your child’s life.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
You don’t have to do it all or know it all. You just have to start a little. Over time, those 30-second moments turn into a lifetime of faith.
Whether you’re teaching through play, conversation, or prayer, remember, every short moment you spend helping your kids know God is an eternal investment.
You can start today. And you can start small.
