John 4:39-42 "And from that city many believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified...and He stayed there two days...and many more believed because of His word; and they were saying, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.'"
Most of us with children raise them in the context of our faith. We read Bible stories with them, take them to Sunday School and youth activities, and teach them to pray. We teach them at an early age and somewhere along the line they come to believe in Jesus.
However, as they mature, there comes a time when they must personally take ownership of their faith. "Second hand" faith doesn't suffice; they need a first hand encounter with Christ. Depending upon what form this process takes, it is more or less a painful experience for us as parents. It's normal and natural for young people to ask tough questions, to bump against the boundaries, to see for themselves what is real and what is not. A "rebellious" teen doesn't necessarily equate with failed parenting.
Just as God is long suffering toward us, so He wants us to be with our kids. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who "fills in the gaps" in my parenting, Who loves my children more than I, and Who knows them inside out. I love it when I finally see them living out THEIR faith!
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