Monthly Resource: Valuing Connections at Church

Dear Parents,

Parenting teenagers can feel like a constant balancing act. They begin pulling toward independence while learning how to navigate new freedoms. All the while, they are trying to figure out their identity and who they really are. In the middle of all that, it’s natural for parents to feel like their voice is getting drowned out by all the other influences. But one of the most powerful things you can do for your teenager’s faith isn’t found in a lecture or even a family devotion; it’s found in helping them experience connection and belonging. God designed us to grow in the context of community, and teenagers, in particular, need safe spaces where they can be known, accepted, and encouraged in their faith. When they feel like they belong, their hearts are more open to truth, and their faith has room to take root. Belonging provides the soil where belief can flourish. As parents, we can’t control every detail of our kids’ spiritual journey, but we can encourage them toward environments where relationships matter, because it’s in those places that God often does His deepest work.

This month’s Parenting Class is a reminder of just how important connection and belonging are to your teenager’s faith. We talk about why relationships matter so much, and how feeling welcomed and included often paves the way for teenagers to truly embrace their faith. As parents, we sometimes think our role is only about teaching truth, but the truth sticks when it’s planted in the soil of connection. When your teenager experiences belonging in the church, with their peers, and with caring adults, they are far more likely to grow spiritually and stay rooted in their faith long-term. This month’s video will encourage you to see connection not as something “extra,” but as an essential part of your teenager’s faith journey.