33. Strong Roots: The Christlike Traits That Help Kids Stay Faithful to Jesus Into Adulthood

When you think about your child’s future, do you feel pressure to “get it right” as a parent, instead of knowing what kind of Christlike character actually helps faith last?

This episode gently slows down to look at the deep, quiet roots that help a child’s faith in Jesus remain resilient long after they leave home. Instead of focusing on behavior or performance, we explore five Christlike traits—integrity, courage, faithfulness, perseverance, and self-denial—that Scripture and Christian scholars describe as “strong roots” of spiritual resilience. 

Rather than giving parents a checklist, this episode offers clarity and language for the kind of Christlike character that forms a strong foundation for long-term faith in Jesus. We talk about how integrity creates wholeness instead of dividedness, how courage is obedience fueled by God’s presence, how faithfulness is a lifelong attitude of allegiance, how perseverance grows through trials, and how self-denial is the daily “not my will, Lord, but Yours” that marks true discipleship. 

The invitation is simple and gentle: to notice which root the Holy Spirit is highlighting for this season of your home, and to begin thinking less about “perfect parenting” and more about the kind of person your child is becoming in Christ.

Blessings, ✨ Tricia

Scriptures Referenced

Proverbs 20:7, Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 11:3, Joshua 1:9, Matthew 14:27, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:2–4, Luke 9:23

Resources / Study References:

• Integrity: Noah Webster (1828); W. L. Walker, International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia; Max Anders, Proverbs (Holman); GOD’S WORD Translation notes.
• Courage: Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes; H. D. McDonald, New Bible Dictionary; M. J. Meadow, Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling; Richard S. Storrs Jr., Bibliotheca Sacra.
• Faithfulness: Stuart D. Sacks, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible; S. S. Taylor, New Dictionary of Biblical Theology; Trent C. Butler, Isaiah (Holman); Noah Webster (1828).
• Perseverance: Noah Webster (1828); Eugene E. Carpenter & Philip W. Comfort, Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words; Gerald L. Borchert, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary; Augustus Hopkins Strong, Systematic Theology.
• Self-Denial: Noah Webster (1828); John M’Clintock & James Strong, Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature; New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge; Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes; Mark W. Karlberg, Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology.
• Additional Research Mentioned: Barna Group on Resilient Disciples; Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith; emerging adulthood faith studies.

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