100 One-Minute Conversations
“Someone once said, 100 one-minute conversations is better than one 100-minute conversation.”
That phrase has been turning over and over in my head—and I’m beginning to believe it might be one of the most important truths for discipling our kids.
For too long, I flipped those numbers. I tried to have big, long, deep conversations with my kids—thinking if I could just say the right things in the right ways, they’d “get it.” I'd prepare for these talks like I was about to deliver the sermon of my life. I had points. I had illustrations. I even had scripture ready. Meanwhile, their eyes were glazing over by minute five. So I leaned harder into my logic. I doubled down on explanations. And it rarely landed the way I hoped.
Most of the time, once I realized they were zoning out, I’d ask, “Did I lose you?” Only to get a response like, “I was thinking about dinosaurs.”
Those moments became a turning point for me. I realized I was trying to microwave spiritual maturity instead of slow-cooking it over time. I needed to stop chasing the big talks and start leaning into little, consistent conversations that felt normal…and hopefully natural.
What Discipleship Often Looks Like
We often assume discipleship has to look like structured devotionals, family worship nights, or pre-planned curriculum. And don’t get me wrong—those things can be really meaningful. But they’re not the whole story. They don’t always stick. Life is busy. Kids are distracted. Parents are tired. When expectations aren’t met of what “that special spiritual moment could be,” we get frustrated because we’ve put our hopes in that one conversation or experience. And the truth is: our brains can only retain so much information, especially in long, intense bursts.
Our kids—like us—need repetition. They need consistency. They need formation that happens in the everyday stuff of life.
The Power of Everyday Moments
That’s where the one-minute conversations come in (or five or ten—let’s not be too rigid here; the point is consistency, not length). A quick word of encouragement before school. A moment of prayer while stuck in traffic. Talking about the beauty of creation during a walk. Reflecting on forgiveness after a sibling fight. These are the little moments that, over time, stack up into a life of faith.
This is exactly what God instructs in Deuteronomy 6:6–7:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
This is a call to integrated discipleship—faith that’s not limited to Sundays or a 30-minute devotional, but something we carry with us through the daily rhythms of our homes.
Not Every Moment Has to Be Spiritual
We’re not trying to make every moment overtly spiritual—that can be exhausting and (surprisingly) even counterproductive.
But we are trying to live with Jesus at the center of everything—and invite our kids into that rhythm.
When Jesus is baked into our normal, everyday lives, we normalize following him. It becomes something real. Tangible. Achievable.
Recognizing the Opportunities
Often, it’s as simple as asking, “What are you thankful for today?” at the dinner table. Or “Where did you see God at work today?” during a car ride. Or “What do you think Jesus would do?” when your child is dealing with a tough situation at school. These aren’t lectures. They’re invitations. And they create a culture of spiritual openness where our kids know it’s okay to process faith in real time.
You might begin to notice patterns: “We’re at the breakfast table together every day—how can we invite Jesus into that space?” Or, “We’re brushing teeth together every night—what kind of prayer or blessing can be part of that rhythm?”
Or maybe you’ll recognize a gap: “We’re rarely sharing meals as a family. What would it look like to reclaim even one meal a week to sit, eat, and reflect—like Jesus often did?”
These are not new spiritual programs to implement. They’re small shifts in perspective that bring intention to the time we already have.
Galatians 6:9 offers this encouragement:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Presence Over Perfection
It’s tempting to think these one-minute moments aren’t making a difference. They feel small. Forgettable. But faith formation is like gardening. We sow seeds—over and over—and trust God to bring the growth.
This also helps us avoid a common trap: performance parenting. So often, we put pressure on ourselves to “get it right.” We feel the weight of our kids’ spiritual formation on our shoulders, and it can become paralyzing. Our heavenly Father is so patient with us
We don’t have to perform. We just have to show up. God knows our limitations—and he partners with us in our weakness. What matters most is that we’re present. Attentive. Willing to lean into the sacred moments, no matter how ordinary they feel.
And here’s the thing: this kind of discipleship doesn’t just shape our kids—it reshapes us, too. When we start looking for one-minute windows to talk about Jesus, we begin to see him in more places ourselves. He shows up in the laughter, in the conflict, in the mess, in the quiet.
This is what Jesus meant when he said, in Matthew 28:19–20:
“Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always…”
Discipling our families isn’t about cramming all the information into their heads. It’s about teaching obedience to Jesus, moment by moment, in the context of relationship, not just content.
So to all the parents, caregivers, and spiritual mothers and fathers in our network: you don’t need to be a Bible expert. You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need a perfect spiritual routine. But you do need to be available. To pay attention. To show up again and again with love, grace, and a willingness to point to Jesus in both the beautiful and the mundane.
Discipleship isn’t about a perfectly crafted lesson plan. It’s about presence. It’s about intentionality. It’s about stacking ordinary moments until they become extraordinary.
Let’s embrace the one-minute moments. Because those just might be the ones that shape a lifetime.
