How can I teach my children that they can be happy and still be Christians?

on Mar 14, 2026

Woman and her daughter reading the Bible. Dreamstime/TCA

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: How can I teach my children that they can be happy and still be Christians? Somehow, they think that by living according to the Bible, they cannot become what they want to be. – R.C.

A: The most important thing is to nourish children with God’s truth. A child is too young to have enough wisdom to recognize true happiness as they pursue it, and they must be led. Children need to be taught the Scripture, replacing what the world teaches with the things of God.

Children are dependent upon parents for many things, but one of the most important things they need is sound leadership from mom or dad—hopefully both. The duty of parents is to correct and nurture children. Discipline is not just correction, but teaching the importance of obedience and why it makes a difference for the good. Children want to know their boundaries, and while they may seem unhappy about it, this is vital in helping children grow.

King Solomon was convinced he knew how to find happiness—and he pursued it as he accumulated wealth, fame, pleasure, power, lavish houses, and wisdom. King Solomon seemed to have it all. After gaining everything he had ever wanted, he reluctantly concluded that his life was still empty and without meaning. His search for lasting happiness had failed. Why? His soul was empty.

God gave us children so we could prepare them to become adults. Children will learn far more by watching their parents than by just listening, so we must be sure to live what we teach. Imagine the wisest human king saying that he denied himself nothing but learned that all he achieved was meaningless (see Ecclesiastes 2:10–11). We must all learn from these lessons that have stood the test of time.

=========

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)