{"id":804,"date":"2021-09-06T12:13:46","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T02:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplingasyougo.com\/?p=804"},"modified":"2021-09-14T09:25:06","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T23:25:06","slug":"how-can-i-curb-the-trend-of-kids-leaving-the-church-after-high-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplingasyougo.com\/?p=804","title":{"rendered":"How can I curb the trend of kids leaving the church after high school?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I have heard this question asked over and over again\u2026 among all types of churches and all types of congregations. Kids leaving church after high school is an almost universal concern among church leaders. If we use the statistics I get from church leaders, then the number of kids raised in the church who drop out of fellowship and faith between 18-29 years old is about 70%. That\u2019s almost 3 out of every 4 who drop out! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the core issue – the greatest spiritual need kids have – is a genuine connection with Jesus. Just as children need to bond with parents, they also need to bond with God. The methods used to reach one generation may not work for another. What we\u2019ve always done to disciple children isn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Kids Perspective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Look at faith through a child\u2019s eyes. Children need to talk about God. They need the space and opportunity to develop their souls like they need to develop their bodies, emotions, minds, and social skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing their souls is what we call discipleship and it\u2019s not primarily about knowledge. Rather than teaching children to agree with our perspective, discipleship opens them to their own journey with the living Christ.  For example, when the Lord spoke to young Samuel, Eli recognized a unique way God was communicating with Samuel. God had not communicated this way with Eli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discipleship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our role is to come alongside children and walk with them as the Holy Spirit guides them on their path of spiritual discovery. Deuteronomy 11 describes what Hebrew parents wandering in the desert did to guide their children. They taught them; they talked about God at home, on the road, when they were going to bed and getting up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot reverse the numbers if we don\u2019t understand the root cause. In order to curb the trend of kids leaving church after high school I\u2019d suggest we temporarily shift our focus to questions that address the discipleship pathway you have in place: <\/p>\n\n\n\n