Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus

by Christie Thomas

Feeling daunted by how to help your kids really grow in their faith? It’s time to start little.We want our kids to know God. We know we’re supposed to disciple them. But parenthood is hard, and we’re busy, tired, and often feel unequipped. What if our kids don’t seem all that interested or can’t sit still long enough for us to read the Bible?Christie Thomas has a secret for helping your kids connect with God is way easier than you think. It all starts with 30 seconds a day--and the power of a simple habit. Through Christie’s empowering, encouraging insights, you’ll discover how to overcome common struggles, implement easy practices that fit your unique kids, and change your family’s faith culture. In this book, you how to make Scripture and spiritual practices come alive for short attention spanslearn simple steps for developing faith through the Faith Growth Cycle and its three stages- seed, sprout, and root.develop practical strategies for establishing consistent habitsLife-changing moments can come out of simple habits. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re supposed to do to teach your kids about God, Little Habits, Big Faith shows you how to leverage the power of small, consistent choices with confidence. God can use even the smallest step to change how your family grows in faith.In addition to key points at the end of each chapter, there is an appendix full of topical resources for parents to quickly for little habitsKeystone habitsPrompts & rewardsRooted resources

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

I'm a mom and writer and have been involved in children’s ministry for most of my life, including working as director of children’s ministry for more than a decade. I live with my husband and three boys in Alberta, Canada.

I have been a family discipleship coach to many parents who need equipping, support, and encouragement. I deeply believe that every Christian parent can confidently nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time.

My devotionals and children’s books help parents cultivate faith-filled moments. I'm all about making family faith fun and simple so that your kids love it, and you can feel confident that you're nurturing deep faith roots in your family.

Want to learn more about the person and ministry behind these books? Check out the Little Shoots Deep Roots website, where you will learn to lead your kids spiritually through little faith habits, without feeling like you have to do it all or know it all.

Reviews

[Cheri Swalwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. It tells the concept behind doing little things to create habits to instill biblical principles in our family (our children) was great. There are prayers sprinkled throughout as well as true stories from people. Encouraging, "doable", and definitely a book for parents of children (and grandchildren) of all ages. Highly recommend.

[Bailey T. Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic for parents of young kids who are exploring spiritual rhythms. As a parents of older kids, it re-inspired some of the things we had forgotten or let slide to the side. I really felt like the last section was for me and I’m taking a lot with me. I loved how practical the book was with exercises—really tangible

[Charlotte]

A good reminder that "Jesus takes our little and turns it into a lot."

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

hey christie, I want you to come speak at our church!!

everything in this book is incredibly helpful. I want every family in our kids min to glean from this!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, but I didn't find anything very helpful. Having grown up in a family that kept our faith at the center of everything and also taught me how to build good habits, nothing in this struck me as helpful. I also felt like Thomas went a bit overboard, saying you don't have to do grand things. Sure, you don't have to, but families shouldn't be made to feel bad if they do.

The good: I think this would be a great resource for families starting practices to grow faith. It does a great job of breaking down things into small, manageable ideas as well as scientific ways of creating habits.
Also, this book isn't that long, so it would be easy for a busy mom or dad to read.

[Henrietta DuCap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and encouraging. And not just for those who started discipling their children at the very beginning, or just for one type of family—Christie Thomas writes encouraging words, shares practical ideas, and highlights Scripture that speaks to many different ages and family dynamics. I also love the stories from families with special needs who may find family discipleship more challenging. Wonderful read for ministry leaders and families alike (and especially those of us who do both)!

[Sydney Hiebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with grace for families (like mine!) trying to figure out a routine to disciple and read scripture together. Christie’s humility was what compelled me to keep reading: She didn’t attest to have figured it all out herself, nor did she claim to have a perfect formula for every family. She promoted a spirit-led model of building upon small victories and habits to create a lasting, sustainable faith. What an awesome resource for families! Everyone should read this one.

[Meredith Spaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sweet to have a name for what my mom and dad did with us as children. I still remember our life verses and small truths we’d say.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes a solid case for why parents should start small, spiritual habits with their kids. It almost felt like the book was encouraging parents to do “less”, but I realized the emphasis was simply on making the most of little habits rather than doing nothing at all. The parts about pronouncing blessings over your children seemed a little too prosperity gospel for me, but I do like the idea of simply sharing scripture with your kids.
This book would be most helpful to parents who are new believers or feel insecure about teaching their kids spiritual things.

[Naomi Fata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend Little Habits Big Faith to any parent wanting to teach their kids to walk in the faith. It is simple, concise and no judgmental- acknowledging the challenges and difficulties we all face in our parenting journeys. It isn’t a regimented outline of how to have perfect results instead it is a voice of encouragement for small habits.

[Shonda Knowlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Habits. Big Faith. By Christie Thomas is an encouraging and practical guide for parents to start or keep those habits of faith as we teach and train our children. It is easy to feel discouraged and give up, but this book has many ideas and real family stories that will build your confidence and set your intention. I highly recommend this book for parents, church leaders, extended family and your friends.

[MRS P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this book. I wasn’t aware of how much impact I can have on my children faith, but before anyone starts to feel pressure by this statement, this book shows you how to take small but significant steps to add manageable faith moments into your everyday routine. The best part is that it’s tailored to you unique family.

[Jennifer Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

From day one. It's amazing. Written as if God is speaking to you in a very gentle voice. I love this and my husband does too. We've had a lot of these types of books that Start strong but fizzle out and end up on the bookshelf. This one is by the bed and read each night.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was RIGHT up my alley! I LOVE reading about habit formation (I truly think it's where change happens and why I'm such a big fan of Justin Whitmel Earley), and I LOVE reading about family discipleship, though I constantly feel like I'm not doing enough. This book was a breath of fresh air. Do-able, manageable steps (tiny habits!) and trusting the process. I'm learning to be on the Bit by Bit team instead of the All Out team. For so long, I've tried to copy what others are doing instead of asking God what HE wants for my unique family. It was also a good reminder to focus on warmth and joy in my relationship with each of my sons -- that matters more than filling them with a bunch of knowledge or handing them spiritual tools or passing them off to children's/youth ministry (and then consider my job "done").

I grew up similarly to Christie in that we were in church but didn't discuss spiritual matters at home. This has given me courage and confidence in continuing to build tiny habits that eventually create a discipleship culture. I do wish the author had talked more about her own kids. (she never even said how many kids she had but would just refer to them generally. It would have helped to have a framework/general idea of her marriage and parenting).

Some notes I paused to take while listening to the audiobook...

Think ahead of time -- What will make this habit difficult? How can I make it easier?

Teachable moments happen more when you've normalized Bible reading and discussing and prayer

faith - not the big rock "to do" list but the sand that fits in all the cracks and holds everything together
30 second moments tucked into the nooks and crannies in life (even just a couple of them), not an item on a to-do list but as part of the rhythm of our days

Focus on engaging, not sitting still

Cross-Formed Kids - Raising Christian kids is always a miracle but never an accident

"ordinary men who had been with Jesus" - not completed a course or read a book (or listened to a certain podcast)...not what you know but WHO you know

We are meant to live a Spirit-led life, not a formula-driven life

Every behavior has an invisible prompt
How can I invite You into what I'm already doing?
JOY IS VITAL TO FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP!!

seed/sprout/root cycle

root stage -- a lot less of "Follow these steps" and a lot more of "Listen to God"
Make it longer, Make it more complex, Attach another habit

After I ____ (cue), I will _____ (little habit), and then I will _____ (reward)

Take stock in what's already happening in your family. Move them incrementally to be more independent and engaged (e.g. opening their own Bibles instead of just listening to you read). It takes more than just handing them the tools (apprenticeship).

God, today I liked _____
Today I didn't like ______

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new soon to be released book Little Habits, Big Faith – How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus by Christie Thomas is one for all parents to read, especially those with younger children. Though there is some helpful information for raising teenagers too. If you, like me, are into creating good habits, then you will enjoy this book! It comes from a Biblical perspective and offers plenty of suggestions to help you and your children grow in faith.

Some of the ideas in the book I already do with our family because of homeschooling, but I did find a couple of helpful tips to apply. I like how she focuses on small habits and to build from those. She also provides information on how important our role is as parents in sharing the Good News, along with what the Bible has to say about it.

You will learn your why, creating a vision, goals, what and how habits work, and lots of encouragement and resources. Each chapter ends with questions to help you apply and/or discuss with others in a book group. This would make a great study book to do with others.

Here are a few quotes I took from the book:

-Life-changing moments with our kids can come out of simple habits.

-We can be faithful to introduce our kids to Jesus and trust Him to do His work.

-It’s about being confident in our calling as our kids’ spiritual leaders. It’s about trusting the process, trusting God, and growing alone with the kids we love.

-Most teens who are leaving the church in droves have parents who aren’t engaged in their own spiritual growth.

-Parents play a key role in helping kids grow a faith that sticks.

-We pull kids from the main church serve to give them a fun, age-appropriate faith education, essentially saying to parents, “drop your kids off, and the professionals will take care of this”.

I really enjoyed her writing and helpful tips, with biblical perspective. I highly recommend to parents with younger children!

[Heather J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Habits, Big Faith is a must read for all parents, caregivers, ministry workers, and any adult with kids in their lives. It’s full of wisdom about how to create little moments in the everyday to help our children connect with God. This book is easy to read and relate to, as well as it equips parents how to provide discipleship in the home in easy, sustainable ways.

Christie shares common struggles parents have building faith habits in the home and simple solutions to begin building faith habits today. She encourages parents to focus on relationships and build little habits throughout your everyday life instead of trying to implement a big plan with checkboxes. She challenges readers to understand that discipleship in the home is not “one size fits all” or that discipleship needs to be a certain way. What works for one family may not work for you. Instead, seek God’s wisdom about what will work for your unique family and your unique children.

This book will encourage those who are overwhelmed, tired, busy and more to take ownership of disciplining your children how God intended. Grab your favorite drink, this book, and learn how to create little faith habits that will lead you and your children to grow in Jesus throughout your everyday life.

[Alana Grupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows ideas on how to invest in your kids faith development. Each family dynamic is different and unique and God has given many different personalities to everyone. It walks through the importance of modeling your faith in front of your kids and how important it is to be the primary disciple makers to your kids. The problem is where do we start? And this book is packed with bringing home-based faith habits into your life.

Create habits that are best for YOUR family. You don’t have to follow every influencer and follow after what they do. Your family is unique pray and ask for guidance what is the best fit for your family.

It mentions how to start small with your habits in bringing the Gospel and prayer into your home. That doing something is better than nothing and that God can grow those small seeds that are planted. I think it’s important that when you do get into a good routine and rhythm to not just do the bare minimum just because it’s convenient but also have moments where you can challenge and push your kiddos to think about what they believe and why. Be open to questions and providing a safe and patient space for them. “Find the sweet spot where kids feel challenged but not overwhelmed”.

[Erin Greneaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many Christian parenting books are intimidating to read and leave me feeling guilty about all the things I should be doing. This book is the exact opposite! It is so encouraging and I was able to start applying the simple practices before I even finished reading the book.

I love how the author starts with a focus on why we want to disciple our kids in the first place. Stepping away from the expectations of others and fears of failure, she empowers parents to start from a healthy foundation. From there, she gives practical and applicable steps to create faith building habits into everyday rhythms. These steps are so small that starting is something anyone can do and so open ended that any family can find a habit that works for them. I am already seeing the benefits of starting small faith habits in my home after only a week.

I don't say this about many books, because not every book is for everyone, but every Christian parent who reads this book will be inspired to instill faith habits in their home that will have eternal impacts on their children.

READ THIS BOOK!!!!

[Melissa Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Little Habits, Big Faith" is such a wonderful resource. Christie Thomas has an amazing way of simplifying family discipleship and empowering parents and caregivers to share their faith with their children by building simple habits of faith into their daily lives. Prayers before meals or a blessing before bed may not seem like much, but those kinds of little faith habits matter and can grow into so much more. She shares relatable experiences with her own children as well as testimonies from other parents about how easy, little habits have shaped their own families and helped their children's faith to grow and flourish, and she gives practical steps for building little faith habits into your own unique family and making them stick. Family discipleship doesn't have to be hard or boring or forced. With little habits, it can slide in easily as a seamless part of everyday life. This book will help you make that happen. I cannot recommend it more.

[Erin Cloutier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had found Christie when my small church was doing our VBS on the fruits of the spirit. I was amazed at how tactile, engaging and theologically sound her lessons were. As someone who grew up in the church, I went through my own season of deconstructing post-college, and am very sensitive to only moralistic teaching. Not so, with her book! You’ll come away with a faithful and doable game plan, while feeling refreshed. I wish I could hang out with her in real life because wow, so wise. 🥲

Also, just a side note at how much raw talent is always hiding away at the full-time moms in ministry. Moms who love Jesus could be CEO’s but put that energy into children, teaching Sunday school, writing, planning, etc. Seriously, I just went through “Reforge” training at work, which is an expensive training for leaders at big tech companies to grow their products, and I swear, this book did a better way at breaking down growth cycles and habit loops. 🤣

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a parent can feel so overwhelming at times. We're constantly bombarded with things we should be doing, things we need to avoid, new technology our kids know that we don't, etc. etc. And as a Christian, we also have the added responsibility of sharing our faith with our kids while hoping they choose to follow the same path. It can often feel like we're not doing it the "right" way and that other people have figured out the secret that we haven't. Little Habits, Big Faith breaks down that lie and offers simple strategies that we can incorporate into our everyday parenting moments that, over time, create a big impact. The writing is easy to follow, but it's jam-packed with goodness and truth, stripping away the guilt and replacing it with God's grace. This is a must-read for every Christian parent, no matter what stage of parenting you're in.

[Morgan Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely loving this book! So many things have stood out to me. This book includes Key Points, verses to reflect on, short prayers, a short story from other parents, and “Your Turn” questions to think deeper. Christie reassures you that you don’t have to “know it all” or have any kind of fancy degree or certificate to disciple your children. You simply just start small, like speaking a blessing over your child. Each and every family is unique in their own way, and discipling your children is not a one size fits all. She talks about a Faith Growth Cycle and breaks each part down and how you can implement small, faith building habits with your children in each part. She helps you to think about your vision and your “why” for wanting to grow your Family Discipleship.

[Courtney S. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently finishing up this book and it has been so phenomenal! This book has really encouraged and given me such wonderful, simplified suggestions for ways to build up our family's faith growing habits! These suggestions are so doable and Christie breaks them down to help you understand not only that they will work but why they'll work and how you're probably already doing these types of habits in other areas of your life! She then goes on to build up step by step how to continue growing your family's faith growing habits and how to pass it along and make it personal to your children! I'm so blessed to have come across this book and absolutely highly recommend to anyone and everyone wanting to grow in their faith and be apart of building up your family's faith!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am only a couple chapters in and have already been inspired to dust another devotional off the shelf and join team "bit by bit" instead of the "all or nothing" pendulum swing I've been on. If you're a mom like me who wants to genuinely share her faith with her kids but struggle to build anything consistent, grab this book! I've read so many Christian parenting self-help books that fill me with regret or shame, but so far I am nothing but encouraged while reading this one.

I also highly recommend everything else by this author. Younger kids will like the "Wise for Salvation" though I am still working through it with my (*gasp*) elementary children. We just started the "Mother and Son Prayer Journal" and I love that too. Thanks so much for writing these incredible resources!

[Miraclebrooke t · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reading this, but here's what I like so far.
1. These are doable faith actions. Short prayers, little ways to reinforce our kids' faith.
2. They're integrated into our lifestyle, which makes this book easy to apply in everyday life.
3. The chapters are short, and there is a story at the end of each chapter, where we get to read about others who are implementing the same practices into their family life.
4. Christie has a very approachable writing style. It's like sitting across the table from a friend, chatting over coffee.

Takeaways:
Easy to read.
Definitely doable.
Reminders that God fuels us and our kids' faith

Buy it and then get an extra one for a friend!

[Carrie Mok · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a parent and a children's pastor at my church so for years I've been following Christie and gleaning from her insights. So when I saw she had a book available, I jumped at the chance to read it. This book does not disappoint. It's not a step-by-step book to make cookie cutter families or faith. Instead, Christie does a superb job of encouraging us to find ways to form little attainable habits that can lead to a life of big faith. Our families are unique and our kid's needs are different so it's refreshing to see a book that reflects & celebrates that. Highly recommend grabbing a copy for you and for a friend whether you've got kids in your life or are involved in kids ministry.

[Tama Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all you want to teach the children in your life about faith (or if you’ve ever wanted to deepen and strengthen your own faith practices), then Little Habits, Big Faith is the book for you. In its pages, you’ll find simple, doable practices you can easily implement, starting today. Honest and encouraging, real and relatable, author Christie Thomas draws upon her own parenting experiences and pairs them with Scriptural truth to create this ready-to-use resource you’ll turn to again and again. Highly recommend!

*Thank you to NavPress for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jennifer Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put this on your must-read list. Little Habits, Big Faith is filled with practical, simple, no-guilt practices that help grow your kids’ faith—and your own too. Each chapter concludes with a summary of key points, insightful questions to guide your reflections, and testimonials that remind us that every little bit makes an impact. Biblically grounded, this book takes seriously our calling as parents to point the way to Jesus and welcome the Spirit’s work of growing faith in our children. This is the book I wish I had had when my sons were toddlers and moving into their early school years. But even now, Christie’s wisdom is helping me identify little habits that are growing big faith.

[Xochitl Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus by Christie Thomas is a priceless discipleship tool that empowers adults grow spiritually while equipping children to nurture a “lifelong faith to call their own.” Thomas offers testimonies and practical tips that are easily applicable and adjustable to fit different families. The “Key Points” and “Your Turn” questions and prompts make spiritual disciplines accessible and inviting for families with children of all ages. Little Habits, Big Faith makes discipleship a way of life and can become a rich resource for any adult God entrusts to invest in the discipleship of children.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Little Habits Big Faith and I really enjoyed how easy to read it is! It flows and keeps me intrigued to read more and more.

I am in love with the book cover design and illustrations of each chapter, so inviting to read.

Christie Thomas does a wonderful job at keeping a reader engaged, sharing her own experiences in a delightful and relatable way, as well as giving practical advice that can be adapted each unique family!

Recommending this book tenfold! May it be a blessing to so many Bible living families!