Teenage/young adult children who are committed Christians

[Panamanian]

If your teenage/young adult children are committed Christians (by which I mean they regularly read their bibles/go to church of their own accord) what was your approach as they grew up? Mine are still little and I get so much unsolicited advice, often from people whose adult children are nowhere with the Lord. Eg let them do sports on a Sunday morning so they don’t resent church/ vs not committing to church and sending the message that it’s not important. Family bible time vs not talking about faith so as not to “indoctrinate” them? Would be interested to hear specifically from those whose children are going strong in their faith. Thank you!

Our priority was to pass on life rather than religion. So we did lots of Bible stories alongside other bedtime stories, and tried to recall Bible stories that seemed to relate to things are they happened in life. We looked for ways to apply verses in day to day life, and tried to bring God into our conversation without going OTT.

Prayer has always been a key - obviously is praying for them but mainly praying with them and modelling praying when things go wrong or things go really well. Encouraging them to ask God for help when they need it and to thank God for things.

I wish we had prioritised going to a church with lots of people their age but we did what seemed right to us at the time. We did take them to a church with a good youth group as they got older.

We discouraged sports that clashed with church - fortunately they both ended up doing sport that happened on a Saturday. They went to parties and big events on a Sunday but the general pattern was that we all went to church as a rule on a Sunday and that it was a family tradition.

I like what ChristmasStars says, its about a life with Jesus, with little kids, its Bible stories, vegetales cartoons, prayer time before bed and just allowing them to be curious and ask questions, talk about heaven, use Bible verses and prayer when they are scared, hurt, angry while you validate their emotions and their experiences. Then celebrate answered prayer, and just be very 'real' about God, it's okay to not know everything - look it up, ask the pastor. Encourage regular church-going so it's a habit that's hard to break but also to show that Jesus is a priority, not a just-in-case, then hopefully they will make friends there and that leads into youth. If they want to learn drums or sing, encourage them when they are teenagers to get involved in church - this is when they get bored and can drift if they have no friends in church or nothing to do. I even encourage people to look deliberately for churches where the kids needs are met - as adults, our relationships with God are established, with kids they are still learning, so make sure they aren't the only kids in church, if they are find a church with lots of kids so they can make those important friendships. Hope that helps.

That's lovely @707girl

On the subject of church I thought of something else. As your children get older look for two things - one is other adults who can also befriend them / mentor them, and look for ways for them to serve so they find a role. My YP have helped with the sound, singing, playing guitar, crèche, and there's usually been an adult who has taken them under their wing.

Hi I am not a parent but I am an aunt. My sister has children and raised those as Christians. I have got some insight from how she raised her children. I know that she made them attend church and they would attend a service during church for children and young people. In their teens at some point they became independent on church going.

Some still go church and some do not today, but they all have a faith.
Two have done sports on a Sunday and one is a footballer today and is just 17 and has a faith and been baptised and is a good role model to young people. He has a done a video which is under 3 minutes which may help other people with the faith and who sports to.

I cannot wait to see what life enfolds for them. I wish yours all the best as well. They are always safe with God.

Hello,
My kids are 18, 21 and 23 and all still following their faith. Of the kids they grew up with in church, some are still following their faith, some are not.
What did we do that I think helped:
At a younger age, reading Bible stories and the Bible together and praying. We don’t pray together as a family which is one of my regrets.
Going regularly to church and being positive about it
Embracing opportunities e.g “ youth group are going away for the weekend, it sounds like fun, shall I sign you up?” and prioritising this, rather than “it’s a bit tricky that weekend so maybe you should miss it and go next year”. Same with Holiday Club. I helped so kids came and once 12 helped as junior leaders - this helped develop relationships with older people in church.
Saturday football for son until 15 when he could join a Sunday team but had to come to church/or youth group once a fortnight on a Sunday evening
We went to Spring Harvest every year and also kids went on Ventures camp from 11-18.
In the older Sunday School group (14-18) they had one of the leaders as a mentor who met them once a term.
Youngest also went to a youth group at a larger church during Sixth Form.

I know I am very blessed to have all 3 still following their faith and making it their own. The oldest ones both got baptised at their university churches, and the youngest got confirmed in June.

Hope these ideas help x

Thanks all. Some really helpful thoughts here. Much of what you’ve said we are already doing which is a comfort!