Never Too Late: Encouraging Faith in Your Adult Child
I. Introduction and the spiritual lives of young adults today
II. Three core messages of “Never Too Late”
Message #1: You are not alone
Message #2: It is never too late
Message #3: Set your heart and mind clearly on the goal
“Your son or daughter, loving God with all their heart, fully trusting in Jesus for their present and their future, and arriving safely home together.”
III. Four Biblical principles on the path toward winning our children to Christ.
OFFER your heart to the Lord
TURN your heart to your child
DRAW your child’s heart to yours
POINT your child’s heart toward Christ
Principle #1: Offering Your Heart to the Lord
Deuteronomy 6:4-7, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.”
I. Two extreme perspectives
TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY
GUILT
NO ACTION
NO RESPONSIBILITY
PASSIVITY
NO ACTION
Ezekiel 18:20 – “total responsibility” is not biblical
Exodus 20:4-6 – “no responsibility” is not biblical
Principle #2: Turning your Heart to Your Child
I. Luke 1:16-17
II. Praying for a heart of compassion
A. Matthew 9:36
B. Recognizing the spiritual battle
Principle #3: Drawing Your Child’s Heart to Yours
I. The shortest distance between your child’s heart and Christ – is YOU
Proverbs 23:24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! My son, give me your heart!
II. Repairing broken foundations
A. Asking for forgiveness
B. Apologizing biblically
1. Clearly state what you did or didn’t do, without qualification and without excuse.
2. Declare that what you did or didn’t do was wrong, and that you regret it.
3. Ask them, “Will you please forgive me?”Don’t demand an immediate answer
III. Building new foundations
A. Communicate honestly about your fear and anxiety in regards to talking with your son or daughter about spiritual things.
B. Invite your son or daughter to be honest with you about their fears and anxieties about talking about spiritual things with you. Elevate honesty as a top value in the relationship, even if honesty means your child telling you something you don’t want to hear.
C. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood
Principle #4: Point Your Child’s Heart To Christ
I. Be not ashamed of the Gospel!
II. It is worth the risk
III. Conversation starters
A. Look for opportunities to share your stories of repentance and spiritual growth.
B. Look for opportunities to bring the conversation back to Jesus.
C. Consider using letters to create open honest dialogue about spiritual things.
