Growing Faith at Home: More Than Watering
- Rachel Johnson
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 3
By Rachel Johnson | Home Built on His Promises
My most recent podcast has been released. I start with sharing an analogy of my flowers. I am not the greenest thumb around, but this year, my flowerpots taught me something.
Each year, in June, they thrive — they are overflowing with color, standing tall with pride. I water them regularly, care for them like I always do. But then late July rolls around. The blooms started drooping. Some leaves turn brown. The pots didn’t look bad... but they didn’t look healthy either.
This year it dawned on me: just watering them isn't enough.
And I think the same is true for our kids — especially when it comes to their faith.
Faith Needs More Than Just Presence
As parents, we’re constantly pouring into our children — with love, meals, car rides, clean clothes, cheerleading, and maybe even the occasional bedtime story or prayer. But spiritual growth isn’t automatic. Just like those flowers needed more than water, our kids need more than warm affection and good intentions.
They need pruning. They need feeding. They need light.
And they need us — not just showing up, but showing the way.
What It Takes to Nurture Lasting Faith
Let’s walk through this garden together and see what spiritual parenting really needs:
🌿 Water: Love and Presence
Water sustains life, and our kids absolutely need our love. But passive parenting — and I’ve been there — can make us present but disconnected. Screens hum in the background. We scroll. They scroll. And before we know it, a whole week has passed without a single spiritual conversation.
What if we replaced five minutes of screen time with a five-minute prayer or reflection? What if presence became intentional presence?
✂️ Pruning: Boundaries and Correction
Pruning is uncomfortable. It feels like loss — but it makes room for growth.
It’s easier to avoid conflict than correct a heart attitude. Easier to distract than discipline. But our kids are craving security, structure, and accountability — whether they admit it or not. Loving discipline teaches them to recognize right from wrong, and more importantly, how to return to grace when they’ve strayed.
If we don’t teach respect and repentance at home, the world won’t teach it for us.
🍽️ Feeding: God’s Word, Daily and Direct
God’s Word is living, active, and nourishing — but only if we’re actually using it.
One of the easiest ways to get started? Post scripture around your house. Let God’s truth become wallpaper for their world.
Here are a few ideas:
Bathroom mirror: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” – Colossians 3:15
Kitchen sink: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…” – Colossians 3:23
Front door or hallway: “Be strong and courageous…” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Don’t underestimate the power of visibility and repetition.
☀️ Light: A Home Where Faith Is Lived
Plants lean toward the light. Kids do too.
They watch how we handle disappointment. How we celebrate blessings. How we speak about others behind closed doors. Our actions become their template for faith.
We don’t need to be perfect parents. But we do need to be authentic ones. When our faith shows up in the everyday — the joyful, the messy, the rushed — that’s when it becomes real.
Start Small, Stay Steady
You don’t need to add 12 new habits to your life today. Just pick one.
Say a blessing over your kids each morning.
Try a family memory verse for the month.
Share a “God moment” at the dinner table.
Light a candle and pause for 5 minutes of Sabbath once a week.
Whatever it is, start small — and stay steady.
📥 Grab the Free Resource
I created a printable to help you bring these ideas to life. It’s called:
➡️ Faith Practices at Home – A Guide to Intentional Parenting
It’s full of practical tips, prompts, and simple ideas you can build into your daily rhythm.
💬 I’d Love to Hear From You
What’s one intentional practice that’s helped your family grow in faith? What’s one you’d like to start this week?
Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram @homebuiltonhispromises. Let’s keep planting seeds together — and trust God with the harvest.
With you in the garden,
Rachel
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