How to Raise Kids Whose Faith Sticks: What the Bible Says About Parenting

By Evan Hardwick, Senior Minister, Lyndon Christian Church — Louisville, KY

Wondering how to keep your kids from leaving the church? In week three of our Blueprints for the Home sermon series at Lyndon Christian Church in Louisville's East End, we turned to Ephesians 6:1–4.

A Post-It Note Faith

Post-it Notes stick, then peel off without a trace. Too many kids grow up with a faith like that. Research from LifeWay and Barna has found that about two out of three young adults who grew up in church step away from it after high school. Most don't become atheists. They just stop making faith a priority.

Not Old-School, Not Gentle: A Third Way

Most parents fall into one of two camps. Old-school parenting says "because I said so" and treats control as the goal. Gentle parenting swings the other way and leaves faith up to the kids. Psychologist Diana Baumrind's research pointed to a third way, high standards with high warmth, and decades of research show those kids do best.

Paul wrote the same thing 2,000 years ago. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord" is high standards. "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" is high warmth.

Guardrails, Not Cages

In Paul's Roman world, a father held near-total power over his children. Paul spoke to children directly, as members of the church, and treated a parent's authority as a gift that helps kids flourish. Like guardrails on a mountain road, loving boundaries keep kids safe. We don't let a 10-year-old skip the dentist or math homework, so why leave church up to them?

Be Gardeners, Not Drill Sergeants

Paul warned fathers not to exasperate their kids. Sociologist Vern Bengtson found that a warm, affirming father is one of the strongest predictors that kids keep the faith. A home that's all correction and no connection produces faith that peels away. Kids need to hear "I love you" and "I'm proud of you," and to see us live the faith we ask of them.

And if your kids are grown? You're still their parent. Keep the door open, own past mistakes, speak blessings, and keep inviting them, and your grandkids, to church.

A Family-Friendly Church in Louisville's East End

Louisville is blessed with large congregations like Southeast Christian Church and Northeast Christian Church. But if you're searching for a family-friendly "church near me" in 40222 or 40242, Lyndon Christian Church offers something different:

• Your kids will be known by name, not lost in a crowd.

• A nursery, kids and youth programs, and a 10 am Bible study where the whole family can grow.

• Parents walking alongside parents, with honest teaching and real support.

• Close to home, next to Robsion Park and minutes from Lyndon, St. Matthews, Middletown, Prospect, Westport Rd., Brownsboro Rd., and Shelbyville Rd.

Join us this Sunday as we wrap up the series.

Lyndon Christian Church 8125 La Grange Rd., Louisville, KY 40242 · (502) 425-7700 Sunday Bible Study 10 am · Worship 11 am · lyndonchristian.org