Family (Home) Upbringing
Family (Home) Upbringing
Religious upbringing is not solely the responsibility of the Church — not only of the priests, Sunday School servants, or youth leaders — but first and foremost, it is the responsibility of the family. The family must work hand in hand with the Church in this mission.
Let us discuss together some key points on this subject:
1. A Sense of Responsibility
Parents must feel deeply responsible for the spiritual upbringing of their children at every stage of life.
They should not place the entire burden on the Church or neglect their own duty.
The mother is responsible for her child, having received him as a godmother on the day of his baptism, promising to raise him in the fear of God.
The child lives with her constantly from infancy onward — she teaches him to speak, interacts with him, and influences him not only physically (through care and feeding) but spiritually as well.
Even after the child grows older and attends Sunday School, the mother’s influence remains stronger.
I once told a mother: “Your child spends one hour a week in Sunday School — but 167 hours of that week with you.”
When I visited Russia in 1972, during the Communist era, I learned that although around 30 million people were baptized, the government forbade the Church from teaching children.
Since fathers were often absent or working, the burden of religious education fell upon mothers and grandmothers, who taught the children at home and prepared them for baptism.
Examples of Holy Mothers
Let us remember the saintly mothers who raised their children in faith:
- Jochebed, the mother of Moses the Prophet, raised him during his early years and instilled in him such strong faith that, even while living in Pharaoh’s palace surrounded by idolatry, he remained steadfast and became a great hero of faith.
She also raised Aaron the High Priest and Miriam the Prophetess, a leader in praise (Exodus 15:20). - The mother and grandmother of Saint Timothy, as Saint Paul writes:
“I remember the sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.” (2 Timothy 1:5)
- The mother of Saint Basil the Great, who raised four saints:
Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia;
Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa;
Peter, Bishop of Sebaste;
and their sister Macrina, the spiritual mentor of her brothers and abbess of a convent.
Such a mother’s deep spiritual influence reached not only her family but the whole Church.
If a mother says, “This advice comes too late — my children are grown and married,” I say to her:
“You still have a mission — with your grandchildren.”
You can pass the faith on to them, teaching and nurturing them spiritually just as you did with their parents.
2. The Father’s Role
The Lord says in Deuteronomy:
“These words that I command you today shall be in your heart. Teach them diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
Do you fulfill this commandment?
Do you share Bible stories and God’s commandments with your children, or do you neglect this entirely?
It is unfortunate that many children grow up thinking that the person who teaches them about God is only the priest or Sunday School teacher, not their own father — because they never hear their father speak about faith.
The father has a religious duty toward his children — and toward his wife as well — for, as the Scripture says,
“The husband is the head of the wife.” (Ephesians 5:23)
3. The Power of Example
The first and most important responsibility of parents in raising their children is to be examples.
Children imitate their parents.
If they see them praying, they too will pray.
If they see them make the sign of the Cross, they will do likewise.
If they kneel, their children will kneel with them.
Children imitate their parents’ speech, gestures, generosity, and behavior.
When parents live virtuously, their children naturally follow.
Truly, religion is not only taught — it is passed down.
Faith is transmitted more by example than by instruction.
4. The Power of Storytelling
Children love stories — and love those who tell them.
Parents can use storytelling to teach lessons of faith and virtue:
- Stories from the Bible, about prophets, saints, and heroes of faith.
- Stories of martyrs, monks, and ascetics.
- Even simple moral tales or fables that teach wisdom or kindness.
If you don’t tell them uplifting stories, the world will — and its stories may harm rather than help: tales of fear, superstition, or worldly values.
If you need resources, many wonderful storybooks for children exist in Christian libraries and publications — such as those by Gerges Rafla, the Sporting Library, or the Watani newspaper.
5. Family Spiritual Time
How beautiful it is when parents gather their children for a spiritual conversation — informal and loving — sharing stories, answering questions, and listening to their thoughts.
When parents are well-read and knowledgeable, these family moments become powerful tools for building their children’s faith and understanding.
Parents should read to their children and learn themselves, so that both grow in faith and wisdom together.
6. The Home Library
Every Christian home should have a small library suitable for all ages:
- For children: picture books with short verses.
- For youth and adults: deeper spiritual and doctrinal books.
Include essentials such as:
the Holy Bible, Agpeya (Book of Hours), Psalmodia, Hymn Books, and Deacon Responses.
Many churches now have lending libraries and bookshops — use them.
Read, share, and discuss these resources as a family.
7. Memorization and Learning
There is a special period in childhood when the memory is strong and receptive — make use of it!
Teach children to memorize Bible verses, hymns, psalms, and prayers, appropriate to their age.
Make it fun:
choose verses beginning with the letters of their names, or related to familiar household items (“book,” “bread,” “light,” “water,” etc.).
Later, they can memorize verses about virtues, faith, and the Sacraments.
Also, include Bible quizzes and riddles — they stimulate memory, bring joy, and strengthen faith.
8. Practicing the Faith at Home
Train children to attend church, receive Communion, fast, pray, and participate in hymns and liturgies.
After Sunday School, ask them about the lesson, review it with them, and let them explain it in their own words.
Encourage them to memorize hymns and serve as deacons if possible.
When they grow older, guide them to join servant preparation classes to serve others.
9. Family Worship and Spiritual Media
Practice family prayer together at home.
Listen to recorded sermons and hymns with your children — at home or in the car — and teach them the tunes.
Present them to bishops for ordination as psalters (Apsaltos) to help them grow in service.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
