Strengthening the Faith of Our Children Essay Example

our timeless enemy, Satan, is not limited to just our young adults but also affects Christianity as a whole. Statistics like the one mentioned above indicate that empty pews now outnumber filled ones in churches found throughout our streets. When parents lose faith, it becomes even more challenging to expect our young adults who look up to them to maintain their religious beliefs.

Furthermore, an increasing number of colleges and universities in the United States and the Western World are contributing to Christians losing faith. These institutions promote the idea that beliefs should not be accepted without evidence or logical reasoning. Consequently, many young adults who were raised in Christian households and attended church find themselves forgetting their beliefs when they enter these educational environments. They often lack a clear understanding of their Christian faith or the ability to effectively defend it against challenges from university professors who openly question their religious convictions and gradually erode them.

Additionally, today's young adults face immense pressure from peers and popular culture to conform rather than hold steadfastly onto their belief in God and Jesus Christ. As a result of this societal pressure, they may go great lengths to avoid daily struggles associated with maintaining their faith.In his book, "Answer to Your Kids' Questions," Charles W. Colson discusses how our democratic society can lead children to believe that truth is determined by popular opinion: "If something is not popular, it cannot be considered true" [4]. This phenomenon can have a significant impact on the faith of our children when trying to convey Christianity and Jesus' teachings. These challenges often come in the form of popular books that influence the minds

and beliefs of young adults within their educational environment. Joe Coffey addresses this issue in his book, Smooth Stones, noting that every few years a bestselling book emerges with the goal of undermining Christianity and shaking people's faith to its core [5]. It is clear that numerous factors have the potential to uproot our children's faith, including temptations like greed, power, and lust which have plagued every generation. However, the key solution for our youth to stand strong against these temptations lies in having a relationship with Christ. As parents, teachers, mentors, and counselors entrusted with authority by God, it is our duty to ensure that our children have what they need to maintain a strong and everlasting relationship with Christ. By strengthening their faith, they will be more likely to discover God's purpose for their lives and fulfill it.Comprehensive biblical teachings are essential in fulfilling our responsibility as parents to search for and teach the truth to our children. The Bible is the ultimate source of truth, and it is important to diligently uncover its teachings in order to provide our young men and women with a comprehensive understanding of God's will. While there are various resources available, such as online articles and books, reading the Bible verse by verse from beginning to end proves to be the most effective approach. Incorporating a daily practice of reading the Bible alongside our children allows for beneficial discussions during devotional moments, imparting much-needed insight and wisdom. Unfortunately, society often neglects the consideration of faith when raising children, leading to a profound misunderstanding of God's nature and character as well as Jesus Christ. Essential Christian truths are

also lacking belief or comprehension among many young individuals. However, we all earnestly long for and pursue the eternal life that God has promised for us and our children.It is crucial that we instill in our children the practice of internalizing and contemplating Scripture as an integral part of their everyday lives. We should encourage them to memorize poems that are in line with God's commands, as the teachings of His Word have the power to transform their beliefs.

Regardless of age, young adults can still learn about the abundant life that our Lord and Savior desires for them. However, it is common for today's young adults to have worldviews shaped by various cultures rather than biblical knowledge. As a result, their perspectives often deviate greatly from biblical values, leading many teenagers to stray from the religious faith they were raised in.

Despite this trend, there are still a few who remain devoted followers of Christ if they possess faith and belief. Christian Smith addresses this issue in his book, challenging the popular belief that most American teenagers actively seek spirituality. Instead, he argues that they primarily focus on and engage with traditional religious traditions and communities.

In order to prevent this conformity from taking hold in our homes and in the minds of our children, it is crucial that we take action. Our children will undoubtedly face challenges throughout their lives just like David faced Goliath. Therefore, it is our responsibility to equip and teach them how to effectively use the tools provided by the Word of God.The education and shaping of young children is not a secret, as it greatly depends on where and how they

learn. The best place for this is at home during their youth, as it helps them develop their personalities. One way to explore relevant topics like pride and lust, which can lead to sin later in life, is through the method of analyzing Scripture. By studying either the Old or New Testament, we can discover what God says about these subjects and pass this knowledge on to our children. It's crucial to take the teachings of the Bible seriously because it represents God's ultimate truth communicated to us. This brings us to the topic of apologetics - defending our faith and Christianity's truthfulness when challenged. Peter instructs us to always be prepared with humility and reverence when giving a defense for our hope. We defend our faith not only because God asks us to do so but also because we wholeheartedly believe in its truth. As instructors or parents, we must transfer our faith in God's truth to our children and loved ones by helping them overcome doubt and strengthen their own belief. It is important that young adults understand that doubt is natural and that they are not alone in experiencing it. However, they should investigate the source of their questions, which will contribute to their confidence as followers of Jesus. Furthermore, addressing their questions will guide them toward sources that provide answersDavid M. Csinos, in his book "Children's Ministry in the Way of Jesus," stresses the significance of addressing children's inquiries about faith, religion, and spirituality. Having a strong Christian worldview and knowledge of apologetics helps young adults maintain their faith and actively apply it in their daily lives. Apologetics training further strengthens

their faith and plays a vital role in the discipleship process for young believers. It is our responsibility as educators, parents, and mentors to ensure that they grasp the truth about the ongoing struggle between good and evil occurring within thoughts. We must not let them believe in neutrality because every experience they encounter is influenced by secular ideas. However, expecting young adults to isolate themselves from the world contradicts biblical teachings. Therefore, as their guides, we need to educate ourselves and teach them how to think correctly when faced with conflicting messages. In assisting them recognizing the correct Christian worldview lies a valuable gift we can offer our young adults. Parents have a crucial role in creating an environment where their children can thrive intellectually while aligning with scripture – encompassing influences that direct their minds and hearts towards God and Jesus Christ.It is crucial for young adults to receive training in discerning various forms of communication, whether it supports or opposes God. For instance, they may come across inquiries about why God allows individuals to face consequences for their wrong actions. Many spiritually-minded young adults understand the concept of people being disciplined when they make mistakes. It is also widely believed that if God chooses not to punish someone who commits a wrongdoing, it would be unfair for God to do so. The belief in God's fairness is universally acknowledged, as stated by Paul Copan in his book "True for You, But Not for Me." Thus, it is important for us to teach our children what the Bible says about these situations and expose them to different worldly perspectives.

As parents, we must gradually

guide our children through the confusion created by conflicting beliefs surrounding immoral thinking. By addressing the profound questions and doubts that our young adults have, we will ourselves gain confidence in engaging with our children. Dismissing their questions and uncertainties can lead us astray. It is more advantageous for our children if we utilize our wisdom and knowledge as parents instead of remaining ignorant. This approach will also cultivate strong convictions within the minds of our children.

In his book "Apologetics for a New Generation," Sean McDowell emphasizes the significance of transmitting values and beliefs to young people.The text highlights the importance of developing loving and intimate relationships with children to prevent them from rejecting the truth. McDowell also stresses the role of the church in teaching and defending biblical truth. According to Steve Urick, author of Evangelism and Christian Apologetics, it is crucial for Christian churches, especially for young people influenced by secular ideologies in public schools, to prioritize apologetics training. Consequently, many non-believers are skeptical of these instructions. However, individuals and churches should utilize their God-given gifts for the benefit of the community. Church leaders must provide opportunities for believers to use their known gifts. Ultimately, our goal is to follow Jesus Christ's teachings and listen to his words so that we can understand life's true meaning and experience God's promises fulfillment.
Parents play an important role by having faith in these teachings and praying for their children's spiritual growth to overcome challenges they may face. A child who lacks faith seeks comprehensive Scriptural instructions and reliable apologetics resources to strengthen their religious beliefs. This paper presents facts and statistics as evidence that these principles

are essential for individuals lacking faith.
The bibliography includes works by George Barna, Joe Coffey, Charles W. Colson, Paul Copan, David M. Csinos, Sean McDowell, and an article by Eric Reed titled "Six Reasons Young People Leave the Church" from Leadership Journal: Real Ministry In A Complex World (Accessed September 28, 2014) [source: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/winter/youngleavechurch.html]. The text above references three books. The first is "Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers" by Christian Smith, published by Oxford University Press in 2005. The second book mentioned is "Evangelism and Christian Apologetics" by Steve Urick, published by AuthorHouse in 2012. The third book cited is "Integrating Faith and Psychology: Twelve Psychologists Tell Their Narratives" by Mark A. Yarhouse, published by InterVarsity Press in 2010.