Helping children and young adults develop spiritually may involve participation beyond regular church attendance, according to the Rev. Brad Brown, pastor of Lutheran Campus Ministry, and his wife, the Rev. Donna Brown, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in western Milwaukee.
"What we preach and teach has to be practiced now," Brad said.
The two pastors spoke Friday at the Alumni Memorial Union to discuss how to offer spiritual guidance to the children in their lives.
"I have a 5-year-old nephew and I want to make sure God has a positive role in his life," said Joann Murphy of Milwaukee.
Often, everyday things can help increase a child's religious devotion, the Browns said. They recommended setting up candles or a prayer stool in the house to serve as prayer reminders.
"Having things that are present and visible in the home will flow through the entire life of the family," Donna said.
Many times it is easier to get children involved with their faith through fun activities with their peers, Brad said.
Children have many influences in their lives, with peers and parents often the two most important. However, the remaining influences play a major role in a child's life. Instead of having television or music become the third influence, Brad said parents should look for a positive role model.
Everyday conversation is a great way of incorporating spirituality in a child's life, Donna said. Instead of asking the usual "How was your day?" she suggested asking a child, "Where did you see God today?"
Children often will have greater ease toward understanding spirituality when it relates to pop culture, Brad said. Recent examples such as "The Lord of the Rings" have shown that Christian tradition exists in popular media.
Another opportunity to expand a child's faith is to discuss the meanings and stories behind Christian holidays.
"Advent is a great time to see what this Christmas stuff is all about," Donna said.
A major aspect to developing a child's faith journey is to start the journey at an early age. Brad said parents have many options in incorporating spirituality early in their children's lives. Religious action figures, books and games are ways of reaching out to some of the younger children.
Attending Bible studies and journal-writing serve as good spiritual outlets for older children, Brad said.
Developing strategies is important when helping a child discover their spirituality, but, according to Brad, there is no one set development process.
"There is no such thing as an expert in raising a child," he said.