Refuge Student Ministry

Here is a very interesting article about passing on faith to your teenager:

Most parents want their children to grow up to lead successful, good lives. A new study from LifeWay Research, however, suggests that many don’t consider faith as a measure of parental success. The study surveyed over 1,200 adults with children under the age of 18. The survey found that the most common definitions of parental success were their children having good values, being happy, and gaining success in their lives. Having faith was mentioned by only 9 percent of respondents. Although parents who attend religious services regularly see faith as important, only 24 percent said that it was a measure of their parental success. In addition, while about 83 percent of respondents said that they should be responsible for their children’s spiritual development, most parents did not list their own faith as an important influence on their parenting.

As Christians, we have the opportunity to be a positive influence on children’s spiritual development. While having happy, successful children can be a goal that we have, God also calls us to share our faith with the children in our lives. Seeking to pass our faith along can provide the best foundation for adulthood that any child can ask for.

Source: Baptist Press, March 17, 2009, Mark Kelly