“How Can I Help My Kids Grow Spiritually?” The Answer You’ve Been Waiting For: The Junior Jesus Challenge

This is the age-old question that every Christ-loving parent faces. There’s nothing more heart-stirring (or gut-wrenching) than wanting to see your child know and love God deeply. Proverbs 22:6 plays on repeat in your mind, “Train up a child in the way he should go, for when he is old, he will not depart from it.” 

But HOW do you do that? 🤷🏻 You’re living this life for the first time, too! How do you make that happen? And how are you sure it’s the right thing? This is the point where we start drowning in a flood of parenting advice – because every parent is trying to figure that out. 

These questions might make laps around your mind at night: 

😳 “Am I doing enough?” 

😳 “Are they learning anything?” 

😳 “Why do they seem indifferent to God?” 

SO many things compete for your child’s attention: screens, homework, sports, social circles, fads, friends, etc. You anxiously watch and pray for your child to turn to the Lord in these moments. 

"But what if they don’t?"

"What if the culture sweeps them away?"

"What if God is a distant storybook character with no impact on their daily life?"

As a parent myself, I searched for this magical “secret,” too – how to teach my children to LOVE walking with God. So I got to work, prayed, researched, tested, and prayed some more – and the Lord helped me create… 🥁

The Junior Jesus Challenge! 

This is a shockingly simple, practical, and fun way to help your children develop faith and discipline alongside you, giving them (and you) an easy roadmap to grow spiritually every day. Over 40 days, these small daily steps transform into a strong, consistent habit of walking with God. 

Josh and Emma, parents of two kids who recently completed the Junior Jesus Challenge, shared, “We walked together every day, and the conversations we had were priceless. The Junior Challenge helped us grow in faith together.”

Friend, I know there’s an insane amount of parenting advice out there, so I’m NOT here to give you more of that. While that advice can be helpful, it’s often complex, involved, and confusing. I can’t think of a simpler, more powerful tool to set our kids on “the way they should go” than God’s own Word. And that’s exactly what the Junior Jesus Challenge helps you do. 

Let’s get into it! 👇

What Is the Junior Jesus Challenge? 

The Junior Jesus Challenge is the kid-friendly version of the virtual Jesus challenge. It contains the same purpose, habits, and faith building blocks, but is designed specifically for children! 

This 40-day virtual Christian walking challenge helps your child develop a consistent, daily rhythm of spending time with God. Instead of wondering how to motivate them and actually make it “click,” the Junior Jesus Challenge gives you a clear roadmap to help them know and love God. And best of all, you can do it as a family! 

*Please note: the Junior Jesus Challenge is intended to be done with a guardian participating in the Jesus Challenge or assisting the child. 

Here’s what a day in the Junior Jesus Challenge looks like: 

• Walk 1 mile. 👟 Get outside, away from screens, away from homework, move your body, and enjoy the freedom to talk or just admire God’s creation. 

• Read a short Scripture passage. 📖 The pre-assigned verses are kid-friendly and easy to remember, helping your child internalize and process God’s Word. 

• Complete a faith challenge. ✅ Your child applies the passage with an age-appropriate application challenge like memorizing a verse or praying for a friend.

That’s it! It’s simple, straightforward, FUN, and most importantly, it keeps Jesus the priority in your life and in your children's lives. 

The Junior Jesus Challenge also comes with an exciting kit to celebrate milestones and keep your child’s motivation high. 

This kit includes: 

• A double-sided cross finisher medal (to be awarded when they complete the challenge) 

• Protective box to store their hard-earned medal 

• Fun vinyl sticker to show off their accomplishment to their friends 

• Bookmark to help them keep track of the Bible reading 

• PDF Scripture and challenge sheet 

• PDF journal 

Sarah M., mom to a 6-year-old who completed the Junior Jesus Challenge, said, “My daughter looked forward to it every morning. She loved the medal, and I loved seeing her engage with Scripture!” 

Isn’t that encouraging?! So if you’ve been wondering how to train up your childen to walk with God, love His Word, and apply it to their lives, THIS is the answer you’ve been waiting for. 🤩

How the Junior Jesus Challenge Encourages Your Child’s Faith 

So here we are. The big question we’re all wondering. 

Here are three clear, realistic ways the Junior Jesus Challenge helps your child know God’s voice, love His word, and walk with Him daily: 

1. Practice a Habit of Spending Time With Jesus 🙏

Kids often learn best by doing, not only by hearing. Fun daily reading and application make spending time with God feel MUCH more achievable and tangible. It’s not a lecture, but a short, fun habit that shows them how to step away from the bustling world, be quiet before God, and practice what the Bible says. With time, this rhythm becomes a non-negotiable part of their day. 

2. Actively Choose What’s Most Important 📋

Whether it’s learning how to talk to God like a friend, practicing putting their faith into action, sharing the Gospel, or caring for their body, your child gets to experience life with those values as the front priority. They learn that a walk with God is not a passive thing that happens TO them. It’s an active and involved choice, and it affects every corner of their lives. 

3. Build Long-Term Consistency 💪

Completing the same simple habits every day – walking, reading, praying, applying – develops a natural, long-term rhythm that shapes your child’s development from that moment forward. Don’t be surprised if your child asks to continue these habits after the challenge is over. They feel comfortable in God’s Word and presence (YAY!),  and I strongly encourage you to continue this habit with them as long as they’ll let you. 

Stephanie Quinn, mom to a 4-year-old who completed the Junior Jesus Challenge in April 2025, said:

“I bought this for my parents, son, and me. We have never read the Bible together before, and this was a great door opener for us all. It was BEAUTIFUL! We were reading every night at dinner together, and my 4-year-old and my parents were thinking and doing things that pushed us to a new level in our faith! I am beyond thankful for this challenge and looking forward to doing another one together!” 

As simple as it may seem, God uses the Junior Jesus Challenge to beautifully transform your child’s life and lead them to a lifetime of walking closely with Him. 

👉 And what greater reward can a parent experience than knowing their child walks with God? 

How the Junior Jesus Challenge Strengthens Your Family 

I have a hunch you’ve already tried to teach your child the importance of God’s Word. 

• But maybe it was met with rebellion or indifference. 

• Maybe you don’t feel close enough to your child to talk to them about God. 

• Maybe there’s a rift in your relationship that prevents honesty and vulnerability. 

I want to share a few unique ways the Junior Jesus Challenge can help restore your family relationships and create new opportunities for connection and trust. 

1. New Opportunities for Parent-Child Bonding 👪 

One of the greatest heroes of the Jesus virtual challenge is the walking element. When people sit across from each other, conversation (and eye contact) can feel forced or awkward. But when you walk side by side, walls come down and people can suddenly share on a heart level. These moments create beautiful opportunities for questions, honesty, and real conversations. 

2. Include Children in YOUR Faith Journey 🤝 

Your kids watch and learn from your example. When they see YOU living out your faith, getting time alone with Jesus, reading Scripture, obeying what it says, even when it’s inconvenient – they naturally learn what it looks like to love Jesus. The Junior Jesus Challenge bridges the gap between your faith and theirs, inviting them to participate in something you’re also invested in, 

3. Flexible and Adaptable ⏰

Life is full. I get it. Sports practices, piano lessons, work deadlines, church commitments. But the Junior Jesus Challenge works with YOUR schedule. Complete it at whatever pace is best for your family. Make it a morning walk, a mid-homeschooling break, or an evening tradition. It’s adaptable to your family’s unique schedule and needs. 

M. Fabick, who completed the Junior Jesus Challenge with his sons in August 2025, shared:

“This has been an amazing challenge to do with my younger sons and help bring us not only closer to each other but to God. They enjoyed doing this together and were excited to receive a t-shirt and a medal as a completion prize. We loved that we could do this challenge at our own pace and were not confined to completing it under strict time constraints. We highly recommend this challenge and look forward to our next challenge!” 

How the Junior Jesus Challenge Develops Excellent Character 

When someone walks consistently with the Lord, it shows in their character. The Junior Jesus Challenge actively encourages this character growth through daily action steps, challenges, and habits. 

1. Acts of Kindness 💗

Each day, your child will complete an age-appropriate practical challenge. It can be as simple as helping a sibling or praying for someone in need. These small but powerful actions reinforce the importance of obedience to God’s Word – even when it’s unseen, hard, or unpopular. After 40 days, your child automatically looks for these opportunities, building a character of humility and integrity. 

2. Self-Development 🌱

Instead of the usual surroundings – screens, homework, peer pressure, and endless activities – the Junior Jesus Challenge teaches children the value of movement and intentional time alone with God. This habit develops a depth, awareness, and wisdom that no screen can ever teach. 

3. Discipline (But Fun!) 📈

Discipline doesn’t have to be scary (though it’s still pretty scary to some of us adults, right?) The Junior Jesus Challenge is a non-threatening, achievable, and FUN activity that your child will feel EXTREMELY proud to complete! It builds confidence, responsibility, and the incredible value of discipline, helping your child grow into the well-rounded person God designed them to be. 

Dori Ryherd, a mother to a 10-year-old son who completed the Junior Jesus Challenge in March 2025, said:

“My best friend has been wanting us to do this together for over a year. We live states apart, and I decided it would be great to pull my 10-year-old in as well as a way to spend intentional quality time with him, be active together, while strengthening our relationship with God. It worked! Turns out we all ended up beginning our Forty Forty journey at the same time, so it feels meaningful in several ways.” 

While 40 days may seem intimidating and unachievable at first, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how seriously your child takes this Junior Jesus Challenge. Children almost always rise to meet the expectations set for them. Will you model that for them and invite them along? 

Benefits for Parents

Ok, we covered what the Junior Jesus Challenge does for your kids. But what about you? 

Here are some benefits that directly affect your parent role right now: 

• 👣  Easy, guided structure – You don’t have to wonder what to do each day to spur on your child’s walk with God. This challenge gives you a simple, clear guide that will carry you through 40 days and far beyond: walk, read, reflect, and act. 

• 😌 Confidence – I want to give you freedom from the heavy worry if you’re doing “enough.” As you trust the Lord with this fear and walk with your child day after day, you WILL see God’s Word active in their life, speaking, healing, and convicting. He’s got them! 

• 👪 Stronger parent-child relationship – Walking side by side, sharing Scripture, and completing meaningful challenges together create priceless moments of bonding. Going through this challenge with your child creates a core memory they will never forget – and never regret. Neither will you! 

• 🧎Model a life of faith – Now you have an easy, practical way to show your kids what it looks like to walk with God, not just talk about it! Your kids learn how to love God by watching you. 

Join the Junior Jesus Challenge

There’s no better time than today to help your child start walking closely with God. This is a gift that FAR outlasts a birthday or Christmas. It sets them on “the way they should go,” a track that will lead them to a lifetime of joyful devotion to Jesus. 

And this isn’t just about your child – I designed it for your family to do together! Imagine walking side by side every day, chatting, giggling, making memories, and talking about God’s Word. What a dream!! 🥹 

Friend, don’t let another day slip by. I know the notifications, lists, and to-dos are calling – and they ALWAYS will be. Sign up below to make it real and show your child what it means to walk with Jesus. This is the beginning of a NEW life direction! 🙌

Sign Up Here

Quick Recap: The Junior Jesus Challenge

• Daily Walk With God: 40 days of walking, Scripture reading, and application challenges teach children the habit of spending time with Jesus. 

• Faith in Action: Acts of kindness and application help kids live out their faith instead of just reading about it. 

• Family Bonding: Walking side by side creates natural opportunities for conversation and shared spiritual growth. 

• Character Development: Encourages discipline, self-development, and prioritizing what really matters: God, family, and others. 

• Practical for Parents: Simple, guided structure removes guesswork and helps parents feel confident in their spiritual guidance.

• Fun and Motivating: Kids earn rewards like medals, stickers, and bookmarks to keep them engaged and excited.