Parenting is undoubtedly one of the most blatant blessings out there, although it is not without its unique set of challenges. And most religious parents would agree that when the tween period begins, many youngsters seem to stray from even the most religious upbringing. While there are several reasons why tweens and teens tend to stray from the path, there are even more ways to help keep your youngsters’ religious faith growing strong.
One of the ways to help children grow spiritually both at church and at home is children’s ministry. While you have put all your efforts into religious upbringing, you might have missed some important points or given priority to things that matter the most for you. While in most children’s ministries there is an organized kids ministry curriculum adapted for the needs and pace of your child to help them learn and stay connected to their true selves. And the good thing is that in most cases children’s ministries tend to teach your kid in an interactive way, to make sure that your children have fun and make new friends while they are getting to know their religion. Each parent has their big role and their own way to help their children get connected to their religion.
So if you are concerned that your tween might be doubting their faith, these four methods of encouragement are tremendous yet subtle ways to keep them on the right path.
The Occasional Religious Gift
Gifts are not just for special days such as birthdays and Christmas, and gifting your tween with occasional Christian gifts is an excellent way to show your love while instilling the essence of the Lord. Because Christian-themed gifts are available in such a wide variety, you should consider your tweens’ preferences and opt for gifts that they will actually like, such as cute notebooks with bible scriptures or a special pen with a unique verse inscribed on it. With so many options, you can invest thought into your gift ideas.
Be Open To Curious Questions
Many religious parents make the common mistake of dismissing curious questions, and tweens are notorious for often coming across as somewhat egotistical during their intro into adolescence. Instead of rejecting their religious curiosity, you should encourage them to ask questions and be prepared for questions you may not have answers to. In this case, it is always best to reassure your tween that you will get back to them while also noting how intriguing their query is, instilling confidence in their intelligence instead of shunning their curiosity.
Let Your Tween Lead In Prayer
Allowing your tween to take the lead in family prayers is a great way to get them to feel more confident about their personal relationship with God. You should allow them to pray from their heart instead of only repeating guided prayers. You should also pray with your tween at a regular time during the day; speaking to the Lord alongside your child will show them the importance of prayer. In addition, you should also lead by example and take religious holidays seriously, such as Lent and various others.
Show The World Of Diverse Christians
Not all Christians out there resemble the Amish. Many youngsters tend to feel rejected by the church and their family when their personal style sense kicks in, and they think they might be a bit too different or extravagant to fit in. As a loving religious parent, you should always encourage your child to develop their personal style while also ensuring that the world of Christians is exceptionally diverse. You could show videos of Christian biker groups preaching the word of God or show the lives of Christians who dress in an alternative way.
Helping your child develop an unbreakable religious faith is essential for parents who follow the religion. However, when your child seems to stray, you should confidently encourage them to stay on the path without letting them feel excluded, rejected, or too curious to ask essential questions.
