Kids, mentors, and resilient faith
Our old glass windows are casting interesting shadows on the banquette and coffee station this morning
I recently came across some interesting research from the Fuller Institute regarding faith and youth. Data shows that in order for kids to have a resilient faith they need four things:
Parents to teach and model life-giving spirituality
To hear the whole gospel
Space to wrestle and doubt their faith
Five mentors who love and genuinely care about our kids
One through three make sense, I mean, we all need guidance and teaching and time to question. For me and our family, I thought the fourth point was actually the most fascinating. Or at least, generated the most follow up questions.
Did I have 5 mentors that loved and genuinely cared about me as a kid? Do these mentors need to carry the same faith in order to help instill it? Five mentors seems like a LOT, I mean, we barely have time to spend with each other let alone with enough other people/families/groups that we’d know five other potential mentors that well. Would a teacher count? A coach? Even then, they could care but may not really love our kids…what does this data even mean?
So I spiraled into researching the topic of mentorship and resilience. Turns out we’re living in a general mentoring decline, from 66% reportedly being mentored in 2013 to 60% in 2022. Data from the MENTOR 2023 study showed 35% of young adults grew up without the support of a mentor, at least in part due to the pandemic. But those who experience mentorship show a clear correlation to perseverance and success later in life:
Mentored youth who experienced adversity were more than twice as likely to volunteer in their community and hold a leadership position in a club or sports team.
74% of those who had a meaningful mentor say that person contributed significantly to their success later in life.
8%% of young people with a mentor say this key relationship has helped them with issues related to school and their education.
58% of young people say their mentor has supported their mental health.
60% of those under 40 years old are still drawing advice from their childhood mentors.
Beyond that, the connection to faith becomes clear when we examine what mentorship really accomplishes in the work of the mentor and the mentee. According to Crossway.org:
“Mentoring is a discipleship relationship that focuses on equipping younger believers for the work of ministry so that they grow in maturity and unity in the faith with the ultimate goal of glorifying God.”
People who love and care for your kids that aren’t their parents, but also, who understand the mission of mentoring for the purpose of sanctification. **That** is a tall order. Barna Group research says that parents are the primary driver of instilling faith in their children, which resonates…
While I am writing this post, sitting on the couch across from Peter, I ask, “Do you have any such mentors?” He says, “Oh yea, easy,” and proceeds to name Colin, me, and his grandparents, including his recently deceased Noni LOL. “Well…without Noni I still have three left.”
In any case, the challenge is a fair one. How are we connecting with kids and holding space for their questions, their doubts, prioritizing giving them our time and presence? Teaching young believers how to walk in faith in obedience to God’s commands, which in turn builds their faith muscle and strength. Ahh, yes…The Great Commission.
A cabinet-turned-basketball hoop caught my eye as I was looking out the dining room window…
This is what a real-life kitchen counter looks like…also, “Pray. Wait. Trust.” LOL
Add citations here
Add citations here
Add citations here