Thank you, Sarah. Your advice is so necessary, especially in today’s university and social media environments. I can vouch for Nancy Pearcey’s books. They are excellent. For older teens, Love Thy Body and The Toxic War on Masculinity address issues of what it even means to be human in today’s culture. And Back in my young days, Josh McDowell (Sean’s dad), wrote two excellent books, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, and More Evidence That Demands a Verdict. I’m not familiar with some of others you mention, but Strobel’s books are excellent.
I agree with what you said here. I'd add that having a solid Christian community in adulthood is arguably the most important thing. I've had a few close friends who walked away faith, not because they didn't know the why they believe, but I think it was partially due to not having people or mentors who could pour into their lives. Christianity is not just head knowledge, it's a lived out experience. We are not meant to walk this faith journey alone.
Thank you Sarah for another fantastic article. I have personally read some of the books you recommended above, and highly recommended them as well.
The only other book that I would also recommend is “Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College” by Michael Kruger. I highly recommend it for High School students and young adults before they go to college.
"The stricter a church (within reason), the more likely its members are to remain."
The "within reason" is doing a fair amount of work there. I know a fair number of people who left Christianity and came from very strict churches. It's better, IMO, for a church to focus on being biblically sound and recognizing that means both upholding His commandments and representing His grace.
But that's my only quibble with what you wrote. These are some great resources and I will definitely be checking them out. I 100% agree that it's critical to teach children why they can be confident in their faith. That will serve them well throughout their whole life.
When I moved to a new city and was looking for a church, I looked for ones with active youth and children's ministries. Most of the mainline churches I visited had lots of older attendees, but not many young families. They weren't healthy churches. The church we attend now has a huge youth program. (It also plants a new church every few years.) It's the exact environment I want for my kids.
Great article Sarah. I like your resource list but I wonder if something sticking solely to the Resurection may also be great for many kids.
After all if Jesus really rose again everything else kind of follows or even if it doesn’t it somehow seems less important.
I wrote a book on whether the resurrection is true (includes historical arguments) and if so why does that matter and actually your article made me wonder if it might be helpful in this context. Oddly I hadn’t considered that before. All too often, as you say, we fail to examine WHY we believe what we do. I’m very interested in your future book by the way. Here’s the title of mine in case you or others are interested. “Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything”
Respectfully, I believe you are taking on responsibility that you simply can't. As parents, our job is to love the Lord, teach them, encourage them. But the job of drawing them to the Lord is the Holy Spirit's.
Thanks for this, Sarah.
It is encouraging to see Christians embracing the responsibility of educating our children.
Great article! Great 3 simple (not easy) points. Your resource selections are solid and also broad. Much needed today!
Thank you, Sarah. Your advice is so necessary, especially in today’s university and social media environments. I can vouch for Nancy Pearcey’s books. They are excellent. For older teens, Love Thy Body and The Toxic War on Masculinity address issues of what it even means to be human in today’s culture. And Back in my young days, Josh McDowell (Sean’s dad), wrote two excellent books, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, and More Evidence That Demands a Verdict. I’m not familiar with some of others you mention, but Strobel’s books are excellent.
Thanks for writing this Sarah.
I agree with what you said here. I'd add that having a solid Christian community in adulthood is arguably the most important thing. I've had a few close friends who walked away faith, not because they didn't know the why they believe, but I think it was partially due to not having people or mentors who could pour into their lives. Christianity is not just head knowledge, it's a lived out experience. We are not meant to walk this faith journey alone.
Thank you Sarah for another fantastic article. I have personally read some of the books you recommended above, and highly recommended them as well.
The only other book that I would also recommend is “Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College” by Michael Kruger. I highly recommend it for High School students and young adults before they go to college.
"The stricter a church (within reason), the more likely its members are to remain."
The "within reason" is doing a fair amount of work there. I know a fair number of people who left Christianity and came from very strict churches. It's better, IMO, for a church to focus on being biblically sound and recognizing that means both upholding His commandments and representing His grace.
But that's my only quibble with what you wrote. These are some great resources and I will definitely be checking them out. I 100% agree that it's critical to teach children why they can be confident in their faith. That will serve them well throughout their whole life.
When I moved to a new city and was looking for a church, I looked for ones with active youth and children's ministries. Most of the mainline churches I visited had lots of older attendees, but not many young families. They weren't healthy churches. The church we attend now has a huge youth program. (It also plants a new church every few years.) It's the exact environment I want for my kids.
Great article Sarah. I like your resource list but I wonder if something sticking solely to the Resurection may also be great for many kids.
After all if Jesus really rose again everything else kind of follows or even if it doesn’t it somehow seems less important.
I wrote a book on whether the resurrection is true (includes historical arguments) and if so why does that matter and actually your article made me wonder if it might be helpful in this context. Oddly I hadn’t considered that before. All too often, as you say, we fail to examine WHY we believe what we do. I’m very interested in your future book by the way. Here’s the title of mine in case you or others are interested. “Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything”
Respectfully, I believe you are taking on responsibility that you simply can't. As parents, our job is to love the Lord, teach them, encourage them. But the job of drawing them to the Lord is the Holy Spirit's.