According to Christianitytoday.com, 70% of young adults are leaving the church. Also, 80% of those same young adults said that they did not plan on leaving the church while in high school. The church as a whole should look at these numbers and try to figure out what they need to do to fix this. Are there ways to help give children a lasting faith? There is a book called

Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara E. Powell and Dr. Chap Clark that gives insight to this problem. This problem does not only fall on the church. On average the church only gets 2-3 hours a week with a child; parents get most of the child’s time. These two units should be able to work together to try and give kids a lasting faith. 

Parents have an important role in their children’s lives. Children look up to their parents, so how parents live out their faith is important. Both the church and parents tend to drive the conversation away from subjects that are “yucky” topics. We need to be willing to talk these subjects out. Every Christian has doubts at one point or another in their lives; it is okay to doubt. Doubting can either ruin someone’s faith, or it can enhance it. Seeking answers and discussing these doubts are a great way to create lasting faith. 

If you do not want to go out and buy this book, there are articles and other resources on stickyfaith.org. This website can help the parents who are struggling with their kids, and the parents who just want to know more. I know I do not have any children of my own, but I do know that it is my job as a youth minister to work with the parents in giving their child a biblical knowledge and a relationship with Christ.