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Twentysomethings have to spread their wings. This is true in matters of work, money, location—and faith. This last item may be the hardest on a Christian parent. It's difficult to see the young adult you raised as a Christian turn to some other religion or none at all. Even the church across town looks like a poor second to one you hoped your child would stay in all of his life. You ache when you see a three-generation family sitting in front of you in church, and you suspect that your own twentysomething is attending "the church of the open sheets."

But faith, if it's real, must become your own. It won't do to spend a lifetime piggybacked on the faith of mom and dad. A twentysomething has to appropriate faith for himself. The transition from family faith to personal faith may mean a time of separation before the young adult can settle into his own path. It's a time when parents can pray, but probably should keep mum. However, when the occasion warrants it, simply saying "Keep the faith" isn't bad advice. (See also Ecclesiastes 11:1-12; Ezekiel 18:1-20; Amos 5:6-27; Matthew 14:24-3.)

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1 Timothy 4:6

Are you allowing your child to find his own faith? In his own time?

Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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