How can we counteract the trend of young people falling away from faith?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Young people often fall away from faith due to a lack of true discipleship and understanding of God’s ways. The Bible teaches that adults have an obligation to disciple the next generation (Hosea 4:6; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6–9). Scripture also shows that genuine faith is more than knowledge; it is a transformative relationship with Christ, guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, that affects every aspect of life (John 10:28–30; Ephesians 1:3–14). Parents and the church play a crucial role by modeling Christlike character, providing guidance, answering questions, providing a space where struggles can be shared and where they can be pointed to Christ, and creating a supportive community where faith can grow (Ephesians 6:4; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24–25). Young people are more vulnerable to cultural influences, and the Bible points to resources to help believers resist the temptations of the flesh (Ephesians 6:10–18; Romans 8:12–13). Even when young people seem to fall away, they need to be aware that God’s patience and love provide ongoing opportunities for repentance and restoration (1 John 1:9). The goal is a lifelong, vibrant relationship with Christ that shapes their thoughts, actions, and character.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• A child's knowledge of God begins at home. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." God told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:6–9, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." God's Word and His ways were to be a regular and pervasive part of a family’s daily life. The same is true for us today.
• Godly parenting does not guarantee godly children. But when parents have genuine love for God, delight in God's Word, obey His commands, and continue to grow in Christ, their children are more likely to know and love God, too (Psalm 112:1–2). At the very least, when parents present the truth of who God is both through word and action, their children will have the opportunity to choose to follow, or reject, the real God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• We can counteract the trend of young people falling away from faith by ensuring they understand what it means to have genuine faith to begin with (Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 2:19).
• Young people should not only know what salvation is but should be discipled in their faith. When young people are discipled by parents and other believers, they will learn the joy of following Christ (Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 4:4).
• Parents are responsible for raising their children in the Word and the ways of God. Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
• Young people must understand that following God is not meant just for when we are at church or doing personal devotions. Those who have become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ have the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 3:1; Ephesians 1:3–14). He transforms them, and they are called to actively participate in that process (Romans 12:1–2; Philippians 2:12–13).
• Young people must also understand that faith is not mere intellectual assent or a "ticket to heaven”; it is a vibrant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus transforms every aspect of our lives (John 15:1–17; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Ephesians 2:1–10; James 2:26).
• Parents can pray for wisdom in how to best train their children (James 1:5). They should also pray with their children as doing so is a powerful example of dependence on God and intimacy of relationship with God (Philippians 4:6; Hebrews 4:14–16).
• Parents are not in an isolated bubble expected to raise their children without support; they need the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). The body of believers is meant to help young people in their faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). The church is the family of Christ.
• All believing adults can help disciple children into becoming mature godly adults (1 Corinthians 13:11; 14:20).
• Those young in the faith are susceptible to being "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" (Ephesians 4:14). This is why the apostle Paul exhorts mature believers to speak “the truth in love, . . . grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15; see also 1 Corinthians 2:6). When we focus on growing in Christ ourselves, we set an example for our young people.
• Though going to church does not make a person a Christian, it gives opportunity for young people to be exposed to the gospel, to God’s Word, and to believers living out their faith. Hebrews 10:24–25 exhorts, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
• As young Christians, and all Christians for that matter, grow in their faith there are bound to be questions. The home and the church should be safe places that are open for people to wrestle with their own doubts (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Peter 3:15–16).
• Christians are bound to face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12–13). Especially as society becomes more hostile to the truth of God, we need to teach followers of Jesus to expect hardship and know how to handle it. This includes the general trials of life in a fallen world as well as those trials that are a direct result of following Jesus (John 16:33; Romans 8:18–25; 1 Peter 3:13–17). Young people are often under the misconception that being a Christian means you will get what you want and all will go well, but this is not true, and more mature believers need to help them understand that.
• Young people should also understand the realities of our sinful temptations and the need to put our own sin to death (Romans 8:12–13; Colossians 3:5, 12; James 1:12–18).
• We also need to tell our children about the realities of spiritual warfare and how to stand firm in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 Peter 5:6–11). God has given us what we need to face temptation (1 Corinthians 10:31).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Truly knowing God and being transformed by Him is more than merely attending church. When young people trust in Jesus and experience His work in their lives, the indwelling Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and minds (Ephesians 1:3–14; Philippians 2:12–13).

At the same time, we must guide, disciple, and nurture young peoples’ faith. Young people need opportunities to apply biblical truths in real-life situations and to be able to ask questions and share struggles. By supporting them and modeling Christlike character, we help them develop a resilient faith. Ultimately, our goal is not just temporary compliance but a lifelong, vibrant relationship with Christ that transforms every aspect of their lives.

God allows people to make a decision regarding their faith (Ezekiel 18:4–32; Romans 14:12). But, what happens when despite all this, they drift? Just because someone seemingly falls away from faith as a young adult does not mean they have truly rejected Christ or that they will permanently reject Christ. Parents still can have a godly influence on their children. They can still share the truth about God through their words and actions. This is true whether the parent raised the child in faith or not. God loves our children more than we ever could and doesn’t wish “that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). We should not lose hope. Our role is to continue passionately pursuing Christ and seeking to disciple others, knowing that God is always at work, pursuing even those who seemingly rejected Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Young people fall away for many reasons, but God is always at work in hearts.
• When mature believers teach young people the truths of the faith, model Christlike character and a vibrant relationship with God, and provide guidance, they nurture a lasting faith.
• Not all young people who fall away are saved, but not all young people who fall away stay away.

REFLECT

• How are you modeling a vibrant, Christ-centered faith for the young people in your life?
• What are some of the temptations you faced as a young person that threatened your faith in Christ??
• What opportunities have you had to disciple young believers?

ENGAGE

• What can the church do to create supportive environments for young people to explore and grow in their faith?
• What practical steps can believers take to disciple young people?
• How do we balance teaching biblical truth with allowing space for questions, doubts, and real-life struggles?