Strategic Parenting Practice 6: Connect your kids with trusted adult mentors who can partner with you in their spiritual development.
Every parent longs to see their children grow. Many of us can picture the walls in our childhood homes where our height was marked year after year. Growth is something we celebrate. And while physical growth is easy to measure, most loving parents are even more concerned with their children’s growth in maturity.
For Christian parents, the ultimate hope is that their children will grow spiritually into God-fearing, Christ-abiding adults.
One of the most powerful ways to nurture a child’s spiritual growth is by surrounding them with godly mentors. While parents play the primary role in discipleship, they were never meant to do it alone. God designed us to thrive in community, and our faith is sharpened through relationships with more mature believers.
As Solomon writes, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). The entire book of Proverbs was written so that wisdom could be passed from one generation to another. That essentially is what mentoring is—for a mature believer to invest in and guide those who come after them.
We see this modeled throughout Scripture: Moses mentored Joshua, Elijah guided Elisha, Paul discipled Timothy, and so forth. It is clear that God designed us to be in relationship with one another and that those relationships would have an impact on our spiritual growth as believers. Mentors offer perspective, model healthy decision-making, and provide encouragement through life’s challenging seasons.
A recent study by the Barna Research Group found that 16% of people said they were influenced by the faith of a non-relative. Another 14% of respondents said they were influenced by the faith of a friend. Parents ought to take notice of this trend and realize that they need to take an active role in helping connect their children to godly people who will influence them as they grow and mature in their faith.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20
While parents cannot completely control their children’s influences, they can intentionally set them up for success by helping establish healthy mentoring relationships. Here are a few practical steps.
- Pray for guidance. Ask God to lead you to the right men and women who could serve as mentors. Trust Him to give you discernment for your child’s specific needs and season of life.
- Teach the value of mentorship. Help your children understand why godly relationships matter. Perhaps you have experienced the power of a godly mentor in your life. Share about your experiences and how you have grown through those relationships.
- Look for existing connections. Identify spiritually mature adults who are already present in your child’s life—small group leaders, coaches, teachers, music instructors, etc.
- Build relationships with potential mentors. Get to know the adults you trust and observe their spiritual maturity.
- Extend the invitation. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to invest in your child. Even busy individuals are often honored by the opportunity to invest in others.
- Establish clear safety guidelines. This is especially important for younger children.
- Check in regularly. Stay engaged by asking your child about their experiences and what they are learning.
Mentorship is more than guidance—it’s multiplication. When one believer invests in another, faith is strengthened, lived out, and passed on.
As parents and caregivers, we have the opportunity to broaden our children’s spiritual support system by connecting them with trusted, Christ-centered mentors. These relationship shape not only their present but their future—helping them develop a faith that endures through all seasons.
In the end, raising spiritually strong children is not just about what we teach them—it’s also about who walks alongside them.
Jermey Daniels
serves as Lakewood’s Worship Pastor. He and his wife, Catherine, three daughters and a son.