Spiritual habits. It’s not exactly an exciting phrase. Many of us aren’t even sure what spiritual habits really are—let alone how to teach them to our kids and students. In today’s show, we’ll break down the idea of spiritual habits and explore ways we as leaders can help kids and students incorporate four faith skills into their everyday lives.

First, we’ll hear from Adam Duckworth, as he explains how relationships are a key factor in developing spiritual habits. Then we’ll hear a great interview with Stuart Hall and Brooklyn Lindsey, discussing four specific faith skills and how parents and ministry leaders can make them a regular part of their homes and churches.

Welcome to Episode 17 of the Think Orange Podcast.

Topic Timeline:

Dave and Ashley introduce the idea of spiritual habits (2:18)

Today’s podcast sponsor: Orange curriculums (4:45)

Ashley and Dave introduce today’s guests (6:41)

Adam Duckworth shares how he got started in ministry (8:13)

Kids need consistent leaders and adults in their lives to help them implement spiritual habits (10:07) 

The world of kids today (11:30)

God leverages community so He can reveal Himself to us (12:41)

If you think about your own spiritual journey, there was someone who impacted your pursuit of spiritual habits (13:25)

What if the best way for a kid or teenager to know God is to know people who know God? (15:13)

The way you love and accept a child tells them something about who God is (19:17)

If you want to help a kid or student know God better, get to know them better (20:25)

Beginning of Brooklyn Lindsey’s interview with Stuart Hall (21:36)

Spiritual habits begin defining authentic faith (25:18)

How you love yourself shapes how you view the importance of spiritual habits (26:19)

Four spiritual habits leaders should be helping students develop (30:44)

  • HEAR from God (33:29)
  • PRAY to God (37:12)
  • TALK about God (42:02)
  • LIVE for God (47:05)

Healthy spiritual habits start with trusting Jesus (31:36)

Helping kids and students establish spiritual habits isn’t about telling them to do it and walking away—it’s sticking with them in the process (34:47)

Habits are learned through observation (39:31)

Expressing doubt is a key part of being able to talk about God (42:10)

Serving helps kids and students feel like they belong (47:18)

How we can begin developing spiritual habits in kids when they’re young (50:22)

Where to start in teaching spiritual habits (53:14)

Many students choose not to read the Bible because they view it as an old book and as “anti-me” (55:32)

How we can enlist parents to help their kids develop spiritual habits (57:13)

Every parent cares about the well-being of their child, and as church leaders, we believe the most important thing about a child is their relationship with God (58:45)

Kids need more than one adult invested in their spiritual development (1:02:40)

Ashley and Dave’s final thoughts (1:04:45)