How do I keep my child or grandchild from losing faith while in college?

One of the deepest concerns of many parents and grandparents is that their children or grandchildren will lose their faith. After years of raising a child to love God and other people, it’s disheartening when a young adult abandons the teachings of their faith.

You’re not alone: Every parent, grandparent, pastor, and youth leader shares the concern of helping the next generation remain faithful during their early adult years.

The best defense is a deep and early foundation: Let your child see you attend church, pray, read Scripture, and apply biblical principles to your life. Then show your children how to establish these same habits. Help them serve in the church, practice a regular prayer and Bible reading time, and build deep connections with other believers. When children reflect on their childhood, these positive memories and habits will remind them of the importance of living out their faith.

Community is key: Whether your child is heading to college, serving in the military, or starting a job, make it a priority to connect them with other Christians their age. When your children have other friends doing the right thing, they are more likely to do so as well. Helping your college-aged student find a church home, even if it’s different from their childhood church, supports a student’s faithful walk with the Lord.

You don’t graduate from parenting: After your children graduate high school, your role as parent may change, but it is not over. Stay involved by praying for your child, staying in contact, and continuing your relationship to help them stay on God’s path.

Turning against faith is not the end of the story: The account of the prodigal son in Luke 15 clearly illustrates that a person’s rebellion can later become a rebound that brings them home. If your child strays, be like the father in Luke 15:20. He was waiting and ready to accept his son back, celebrating his son’s return. We shouldn’t let a rebellious adult child mistreat our kindness, but we should foster an ongoing love for our children and a willingness to give them another chance after they have made mistakes.

The Bible places immense value on families and encourages parents to have children and enjoy raising them in the Lord. No one would deny that having a family involves enormous responsibility, expense, and time demands, yet there is also no denying the immense rewards, even after your children become adults.

This plan contains passages from 100 Bible Questions and Answers for Families by Alex McFarland and Bert Harper. https://broadstreetpublishing.com/100-bible-questions-and-answers-for-families/9781424566815/