Building Faith In The Modern World
The role of parental dialogue
One of the dilemmas we face today stems from a clash between modern and traditional ways of living. If we hope to positively influence our children’s behavior and understanding of their faith, there must be a shared understanding and meaningful connection between the current and previous generations.
Parents play a vital role in this process by modelling and guiding their children's faith through conversation. One effective tool in building this bridge is oracy—the ability to express thoughts, emotions, and ideas clearly and confidently through spoken language. Oracy enables young people to communicate effectively across different contexts and with diverse audiences, which is especially important as they search for truth and meaning in their lives.
By engaging in oracy, youth can learn to listen actively, question critically, and consider multiple perspectives. Dialogic teaching strategies, which encourage discussion and exploration, help them articulate their views while also developing resilience and intellectual humility.
Improving our communication skills as adults empowers young people and strengthens their convictions. Imam Sadiq (a) stated:
"Eloquence lies in three things: coming close to the intended meaning, avoiding waffling, and communicating more meaning in fewer words." (The Scale of Wisdom)
What Can We Do at Home?
Rather than leaving children to their devices and social media, parents can take a proactive role in guiding their development through meaningful conversation. When young people ask questions—even those that seem challenging or misguided—parents should respond with openness, not judgment. Instead of relying on didactic methods, encourage curiosity, even if it leads to mistakes. Learning from missteps builds resilience and deeper understanding.
Invite your child to explain their reasoning. Show them it’s okay to change their mind or to respectfully disagree. Create space for regular discussions —after dinner, for example, when the family is still gathered.
Here are some conversation starters and activities:
Would you rather... (e.g., live in the countryside or the city?)
Which book character would you invite to dinner—and why?
Take turns thinking of synonyms for common words.
Role-play scenarios such as shopping, making phone calls, or acting out a story.
Talk about books and life experiences as a way to reflect and learn together.
Fostering oracy at home doesn’t require special tools—just a willingness to engage, listen, and guide. In doing so, we not only strengthen our children’s communication skills but also nurture their faith and values in a meaningful, lasting way.