Daily Parent Devotional: Growing Your Own Faith While Raising Theirs (March 9)

It’s 6:30 AM. The coffee hasn’t finished brewing, someone can’t find their left shoe, and you’ve already been asked three questions about why the sky is blue or if we can have pancakes for dinner. In the whirlwind of parenting, "spiritual growth" often feels like a luxury reserved for people who don't have to cut the crusts off sandwiches.

We spend so much time worrying about our children’s spiritual lives, finding the right church, teaching them to pray, and explaining Bible stories, that we often forget a fundamental truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Growing your own faith isn't just a "nice to have" as a parent. It is the very engine that powers your ability to raise them in the way of the Lord. Today, March 9, we’re looking at how to cultivate your own walk with Jesus in the middle of the beautiful, messy chaos of raising children.

The "Oxygen Mask" Principle of Parenting

You’ve heard the flight attendant say it: "Secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others." This isn't selfish; it’s survival. If you run out of air, you aren't helpful to the person sitting next to you.

The same applies to our spiritual lives. In Deuteronomy 6:5-7, we see the famous "Shema," a cornerstone of our faith. It says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."

Notice the order. The commandments are to be on your heart first. Only then can you effectively impress them upon your children.

Raising a child in a Christian home isn't about perfectly managed behavior; it’s about modeling a life surrendered to the King. Your kids are watching how you handle stress, how you treat the neighbor who’s difficult, and whether or not you actually believe the words you’re reading to them at bedtime.

Authentic Faith Over Perfect Performance

As parents, we often feel the pressure to have all the answers. We want to be the "spiritual giants" our kids look up to. But the reality is that our children don't need perfect parents; they need authentic ones.

Authentic faith means letting your kids see you study the Word. It means they see you prioritizing Sunday live worship even when the week was long. It means apologizing to them when you lose your temper and explaining that you need Jesus just as much as they do.

When we prioritize our own growth, we demonstrate that the Bible is a living, breathing guide for life, not just a book of rules. In the Assemblies of God tradition, we hold firmly to the authority of Scripture. By letting our children see us anchored in the Word, we give them a map for their own future.

Finding the "Hidden" Minutes

If you’re waiting for an uninterrupted hour of silence to do your Bible study, you might be waiting until they go to college. Growing your faith while raising theirs requires a shift in how we view "quiet time."

Think of it as "integrated time."

Spirit-Empowered Parenting

We believe in Spirit-empowered living. This means we aren't trying to white-knuckle our way through parenting in our own strength. We have a Helper.

When you feel like you’re at the end of your rope, when the toddler is screaming, the teenager is distant, and your own patience is gone, the Holy Spirit is there to provide the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Growing your own faith means learning to lean on the Spirit in real-time. It’s the quick prayer whispered over the kitchen sink: "Lord, give me Your patience right now." It’s the decision to stop and pray for a situation before reacting. As you grow in your reliance on the Holy Spirit, your children see a parent who is lead by something greater than their own emotions.

Community is the Safety Net

Parenting can be incredibly isolating, especially if you are a shift worker, a caregiver, or living in an area where attending a physical church is difficult. This is why finding a church community is so vital.

You need other adults who can pray for you, encourage you, and remind you that you’re doing a great job. At Boundless Online Church, we are a digital church serving those who cannot attend in person. Whether you are at home with a sick child or working a late shift, you are not alone. You can join online groups where you can discuss your faith and find support from other parents who are in the same trenches.

A Message for the Weary Parent

If you feel like you’re failing today, take a breath. God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Maybe you haven't opened your Bible in weeks. Maybe you feel like your kids are seeing more of your frustration than your faith. God isn't looking for a perfect track record; He’s looking for a willing heart.

Start small today. Ask God to renew your hunger for Him. Remember that your primary identity isn't "Parent", it’s "Child of God." Before you were a mother or a father, you were a son or a daughter of the Most High. He cares for you, He sees your hard work, and He is with you in every diaper change and every difficult conversation.

Your growth is the greatest gift you can give your children. When they see you pursuing Jesus, they learn that He is worth pursuing. When they see you finding peace in the Word, they learn where to go when their own world feels shaky.

Next Steps for Today

Take five minutes right now, even if you have to hide in the bathroom to get them, and reflect on these questions:

• What is one small way I can invite the Holy Spirit into my parenting today?

• Is there a specific area of my faith that I’ve been neglecting because I’ve been so focused on my kids?

• How can I model a "growth mindset" in my spiritual life for my children to see?

If you need someone to stand in the gap with you, please visit our Prayer Wall. You don't have to carry the weight of your family alone.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis. We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online.

Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.