STRATEGIC PARENTING PRACTICE 3: Celebrate significant milestones with your kids by using symbols and ceremonies to commemorate spiritual accomplishments.
Christian parenting is more than guiding children through physical growth and academic achievement; it is the intentional nurturing of their hearts and faith as they journey toward maturity in Christ. One of the most effective ways parents can do this is by creating and celebrating spiritual milestones. Milestones help families pause and intentionally point children—both boys and girls—to God’s presence, truth, and purpose at every stage of life. Milestones begin early.
The birth of a child can be the first sacred marker, reminding parents that children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). For both boys and girls, moments like child dedication or baptism affirm that their identity is rooted first in being loved by God, not in performance or personality. Parents can begin speaking words of blessing—calling boys to godly strength and humility, and girls to godly confidence and grace—reflecting God’s design and love for each child. I know Sherry, and I enjoyed doing this for both Joshua and Regan at various points in their life.
Throughout Scripture, God’s people marked milestones to remember His faithfulness. In Joshua 4, Israel set up stones of remembrance so future generations would ask, “What do these stones mean?” In the same way, Christian parents can establish faith milestones—and even meaningful ceremonies—that invite children to hear God’s story woven into their own lives. The book of Deuteronomy provides specific instruction and detail on raising children well; see Deuteronomy 6:1–25. Throughout the Bible, we find rich guidance for parenting, along with countless opportunities for intentional instruction and marking spiritual milestones.
For Joshua, several other dads and I went in a ceremony-based study called “Raising a Modern-Day Knight.” From there, we intentionally created follow-up milestones along the way, such as high school graduation and college entrance. Some of these same dads also gathered again to mark an entering-marriage milestone. Sherry and I created special milestones for Regan as she grew older and accomplished various things in school and life. Some milestones were simple, while others were more elaborate. For both children, each milestone was centered on God’s Word, His desire for them as young adults, and included fellowship and prayer with some of our close friends.
Although we tried to be intentional and have something for them at specific ages, milestones do not need to be elaborate to be impactful. A kind letter from a parent, a prayer spoken over a child, a meaningful gift, or a family conversation can leave a lasting spiritual imprint as well. Whether guiding a son through new responsibilities or encouraging a daughter through emotional growth, the goal remains the same: pointing them consistently to Christ.
In a culture that often measures success by achievement alone, Christian milestones and ceremonies reframe the goal. They help boys and girls see that their ultimate calling is not merely independence, but faithfulness to God. By intentionally marking milestones, parents build a legacy of faith—one that teaches children who they are, whose they are, and how to walk confidently with the Lord in every stage of life. It is never too late to start, so don’t miss put parent in creating specific Spiritual Milestones and Ceremonies for your children.
If you would like to learn more about Spiritual Milestones for your family, please let us know, as staff would love to help you.
Robert Puckett
serves as Lakewood’s Executive Pastor. He and his wife, Sherry, have two adult children and one grandson.