What Parents Can Do to Help Their Student’s Faith When They Make the Transition from High School to College
For recent high school graduates, college is exciting because of all the freedom that is possible.
For the parents of these students, college is frightening because of all the choices their child now faces that come with that freedom.
And for Christian parents in particular, one of the most important decisions their student is faced with is whether or not to continue practicing the faith they’ve grown up in. So what can parents do to nurture their child’s faith during this transition?
It Starts With You
Andrew Reilly, college pastor of The Refuge and The Chapel in Baton Rouge, LA, which neighbors Louisiana State University’s campus, says the most common thing he’s observed in college students with strong faith is that they had parents who modeled for them what faith looks like.
“It’s not a promise. I’m not making a guarantee that if you do this your child is going to be on fire for the Lord. But it is something that, as a college pastor, I see frequently,” Andrew said on a recent episode Talk It Up, Mt. Bethel’s podcast for parents wanting to raise their children in the Christian faith.
“If you want your child to pursue Christ in their life, you need to model what pursuing Christ looks like for them before they get to the point where they are faced with the decision to make the Christian faith their own. Show them the importance of Christian community by being involved in your small group. Show them how to serve in a local church by serving in your local church. Show them how to be vulnerable and confess sin.”
“If you want your child to pursue Christ in their life, you need to model what pursuing Christ looks like for them before they get to the point where they are faced with the decision to make the Christian faith their own.” – Andrew Reilly
In addition to modeling a life of faith for your child—which the earlier you start being intentional about doing, the more impact it will have—there are some other things parents can be doing to positively impact their student’s faith, including:
- Establishing a culture of open communication. Growing in one’s faith requires asking questions. If your child knows they can say anything or ask anything about any topic without having to fear how you will react, they’re more likely to bring the questions they’re exploring regarding their faith to you.
- Set boundaries that help them explore freedom and responsibility. Providing a good structure for your child while they’re in high school will help them build a good structure when they’re out on their own. Help them see that freedom and responsibility go hand-in-hand.
- Pray. Pray for their friendships, pray for their faith, pray for them to make good choices.
- Partner. With your child by establishing trust with them, with other parents by inviting their family to do life alongside your family, and with your local church by letting your student ministry leaders know how they can serve your child best.
*For more encouragement and practical tips on this topic, listen to “Episode 05: College Bound and Spiritually Grounded” of the TalkItUp podcast, available on your favorite podcast platform