Many Christians view children as a gift from God.

As part of their development, they need to play. For example, at a Ukrainian church programme, children learned English through games and imagination—like pretending a swing was a bus and speaking only in English during the ride.

It is also important to consider a child's innate sense of curiosity. One story tells of a girl who ignored a grand cathedral to chase a stray cat.

Yet, today's digital age can have the power to take away from real connection. One mother decided that phones would “sleep” in the living room, not in her children’s bedrooms. No app, she says, can replace quality time, shared walks, or bedtime talks.

Most importantly, a Christian upbringing is vital. Teaching children about Jesus, reading the Bible together, and praying as a family all help to build their faith and equip them for the non-Christian world. As one writer says, “Children’s voices in the church are a sign of hope for the future.”