You Can’t Give Your Kids What You Don’t Have
Take an honest look at your own day-to-day walk with Jesus.
Would it get you through a battlefield?
Because that’s exactly what your children are going to face when they leave your home.
The world isn’t neutral. College, culture, and friends will test their faith. It’s not a playground. It’s a war zone for their souls.
And in that battle, do you want your children to be civilians running for their lives – or soldiers saving lives?
If your day-to-day walk isn’t battlefield ready, your children will be running for their lives.
👉 Truth: You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have
We all want to raise children who keep their faith after they leave home.
But is that really enough?
Is the goal just for them to keep their faith… or for them to bring it to others?
To not just survive the spiritual battlefield… but to stand strong as soldiers for Christ?
If that’s the goal – and it should be – then we have to ask ourselves:
➡️ Do I have the faith I want them to have?
➡️ Am I living the relationship with Jesus I want them to imitate?
➡️ Am I leading souls to Jesus…or racing through my days?
Because just like you can’t create a child without giving them your DNA, you can’t pass on faith you don’t actually have.
Your relationship with God is more core to your being than your DNA.
It shapes not only this life, but your eternity…and probably theirs.
You Can’t Walk Them Down a Path You Haven’t Walked
If we’re going to guide our children to become missionary disciples, we need to know the path ourselves.
We need to be walking it every day.
I know life is busy. It’s noisy.
And yes, that’s a problem you’re going to have to solve.
But busyness isn’t an excuse.
Even if you already have a personal relationship with Jesus – and I pray you do – ask yourself honestly:
➡️ Am I walking as His disciple the way I should?
➡️ Is the Catholic Church the center of my life with Christ?
➡️ Am I a beacon of Jesus’ light…or a candle…or just a wick?
If your answers are anything like mine were when I was raising my children…
some are yes, and some are no.
Remember What Jesus Said
“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
– Luke 9:23
Daily.
Not just when it’s easy. Not just when we have time. Not just when the kids are at the right age.
There Is a Path
The Catholic Church is overflowing with beautiful resources for growing in faith.
I’m not claiming to have created anything better than what she offers.
But if you’re looking for the simple, core basics –
Knowing Jesus.
Following Jesus.
Sharing Jesus.
If you want it from someone who’s made a thousand mistakes, stumbled a million times raising his own children, scraped his knees, dusted off, and kept going…
Then you need to walk down this Encounter Jesus path yourself.
Three Encounters With Jesus
There are three encounters:
- The Rescue – where you meet Jesus personally.
- Walking as a Disciple – Jesus teaches you to follow Him daily.
- Sharing the Good News – Jesus guides you to share Him with others naturally.
These aren’t lectures or learning sessions. They are encounters with Jesus.
They’re designed for just one hour a week. You can give that.
Do them the way they’re instructed.
Do them with your spouse if you can.
Do them with a small group if possible.
But do them.
Because when you’re done, you’ll have a path to walk – and to guide others down.
Not just your children. Anyone God puts in your path.
Your Children Need You to Have Something Worth Sharing
You will share your faith with your children.
Whether it’s a strong faith or a shaky faith…
A fuzzy, unclear faith or a clear, sharp faith…
A living faith or a dead faith…
You will share it.
And they will likely share it with your grandchildren.
This is without a doubt the most important thing you will ever give your child.
More than your love of sports.
More than your work ethic.
More than your example of kindness or generosity.
They desperately need you to know Jesus personally.
They desperately need you to follow Him daily.
They desperately need you to have something worth sharing – and to share it with them deliberately.
💬 Reflection Question
➡️ If someone asked your child today, “Does your mom or dad really know Jesus personally?” – what would they say?
👉 Ready to start walking the path yourself?
Begin the Encounter Jesus series here: