Train Up a Teen: Young Evangelicals Mostly Keep Their Parents' Faith by Kate Shellnutt
From Pastor Ben:
Scripture teaches us that parents are to take the lead in the evangelization and discipleship of their children.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (ESV)
In a recent study, Pew Research found that most devout young believers don't agree with Mom and Dad on everything. This thought can scare us. Will our kids hold the same faith that we do? What about when they are teenagers? Kate Shellnutt shares the statistical findings of this research study on the religious practices of 13-17-year-olds as well as the responses of some Christian parents who weigh in on the challenges of teenage discipleship.
Shellnutt writes:
"About seven-in-ten evangelical parents consider it “very important” to raise their children in their faith. They make it more of a priority than any other major tradition—half as many mainline Protestants say the same. But as much as they model their faith, surround them with Christian community, and pray for their kids’ salvation, evangelical parents also know their sons and daughters—God-willing, Spirit-empowered—will eventually have to come to understand the gospel for themselves."
Read more to be encouraged about how to raise teens to follow in your faith.
