The (Not-So-Secret) Secret To Keeping Your Kids Connected To Jesus

I think you are probably aware that anywhere from 60-70% of young adults raised in the church stop going to church by the time they are in their 20s.  Many of them are turning away from faith in Christ to a Christ-less and vague spirituality that cannot save.  So what can you do to make sure that your kids don’t disconnect from the church and especially from Jesus?

The secret to keeping your kids connected to Jesus isn’t really a secret.

In the book “Family-Based Youth Ministry,” author Mark DeVries tells the story of Jenny and Jimmy.  Jenny was a core member of the youth group, actively involved throughout her high school years, but her parents were unsupportive and uninvolved; Jimmy often didn’t participate in the youth group, but his parents were every-Sunday worshipers, and he was always with them. During their post-high school years, Jenny went off to college and dropped out of the church altogether, while Jimmy remained active in worship.  That’s the “secret”:  Faithfully worship together as a family.

Regular family worship is so important that God made sure it was one of the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.”  (Exodus 20:8)  That’s because hearing the Word of God is so vital to our faith. “Faith comes from hearing the message…” (Romans 10:17)  There are tons of things that can attack and destroy faith; from sinful desires in our hearts, to false ideas in the world, to all the distractions of earthly life, to all the trials and temptations that come our way.  Jesus told us what alone enables us to stand firm:  “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)  Parents, the way you show how much Jesus and his word means to you (both by regular church-going and also by putting the Word into practice at home) makes a difference to keeping your kids in the faith.  Paul said as much in his letter to Timothy,  “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

I know you love your children and want them to be in heaven for all eternity with you.  I know you want them to be sure that God loves them, that their sins are forgiven, and that he will always take care of them when they have doubts, fears, and worries.  I know you want them to live a life of faith and love for God and others that honors Christ, now and for the rest of their lives.  The one who alone can do that is Jesus, through his Word.  Give your children- and yourselves- the blessing of hearing the Word of God as often as possible.  It’s the (not so secret) secret to keeping your kids connected to Jesus and all those blessings from him you want for them.