By: Faith-Family-Freedom
Hello there!
In this blog I will be exploring the gradual transition of Christian faith to adult children from their fathers and mothers into their own spiritual walks with God. As our children grow, their beliefs and values start to take shape and evolve. For many of them, this includes our own religious/spiritual beliefs and practices. For those who have been raised in Christian families, this may mean transitioning from the faith of parents to adult children's own budding spiritual walk and faith system.
This transition can be challenging, as it can involve questioning beliefs that we have held for our whole lives and navigating the tension that can arise between our own beliefs and those of our loved ones. This can be very daunting! However, in the storm, our adult children find an opportunity for growth and discovery, as they explore their own faith in deeper ways and develop a more personal relationship with God.
One of the first steps in this transition is the need for the adult son or daughter to learn to think about faith and all that it encompasses. As children, they just blindly accepted our faith as parents, extended family, church leaders, etc. without question. However, as they grow older, they start asking themselves and others more complex questions and seek out answers in broader ways. This can be through more in depth study of scripture, attending or leading Bible studies/classes and worship, reading of spiritual books, blogs, podcast, or other means, or seeking guidance from mentors or other spiritual leaders.
Initially I would point out, as our young adult children start to develop their own beliefs and values, we may find that they differ from those instilled by us, our family, their village. This can be quite difficult to navigate, because we aren't moving or changing in our own faith necessarily, but we are having to learn the art, complex landmine actually, of giving them space to "figure things out for themselves". We may feel like our beloved children whom we have raised to share our beliefs and value system have betrayed us, our extended families, our home church congregations. We have to remember that this is where we have to let go on some level and let God in to do the heart work. Our faith and it's development was our own personal journey, and it is okay to have differing opinions or beliefs on topics or issues without the presence of strife or resentment seeping in.
Furthermore, another important aspect of our children's transition to their own faith is the need for them to prioritize it, which we can only really demonstrate through example, not nagging or pressuring. They grow their spiritual faith in direct proportion to growing their relationship with God. This involves many aspects of their lives, some of which may include: taking time to pray, meditating on God's Word, Bible studies/conversations with others, reflecting on our feelings and experiences, as well as realizing God's role in those feelings, emotions, and experiences. Through these practices, or spiritual disciplines, they come into contact with God on a personal level, thereby deepening their understanding of Him and developing a more intimate connection to Him.
Finally, through this process, it is essential that our grown children find a supportive community of fellow believers who share their values and beliefs. This can involve finding a church/body of believers, finding Bible study groups who are dedicated to finding truth, and seeking out other Christian friends who they can discuss their faith with openly and honestly, without pretenses. Having a supportive community can help them to feel less alone and isolated in their faith journey and provide them with encouragement and guidance of others along the way. Mentorship is one of the most powerful influencers of our young adult children's faith. Pray that they have access to those types of individuals in their lives, and make introductions when we see God working through others.
Ultimately, the transition of young adults to their own authentic faith is complex, dynamic, and ongoing. It involves the serious questioning of belief and faith systems. As parents, it is our prayer, that the questioning leads our young adult children to a deeper understanding of God, which leads them to search for a supportive community of fellow believers who are either at the same stage of searching, or mentors who have been searching over a longer period of time. While these years can present challenges, they provide the opportunity for growth and development of faith and values, which, we hope and pray, leads them toward a personal and meaningful relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Thank you for taking the time to take a look at my thoughts as to how to pass the torch of Christian faith to our young adult children and the relational aspect of our adult children growing into their own faith. May God go with you and bless you along your own journey.
June 29, 2023
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