When They Turn Away: Drawing Your Adult Child Back to Christ

by Rob Rienow

Overview

When an adult child leaves the church and turns away from the faith of his or her childhood, parents are left with feelings of failure, confusion over what happened, and fear of what may happen next. Statistics show the breadth of this problem: As many as 75 percent of children who grew up in Christian homes leave the church by the time they are twenty-five (Barna Group).

Writing with compassion and honesty, author and family pastor Rob Rienow comes alongside hurting parents to share a powerful message of hope: it’s never too late to point an adult child’s heart toward God. He challenges parents to accept that they are the shortest distance between their child and Christ, and though they may not have planned for it, parents can—and should—still play a proactive role in leading their child back to faith. Rienow directs parents to four tangible steps: -Offer your heart to the Lord -Turn your heart to your child -Draw your child’s heart to yours -Point your child’s heart to Christ

Full of engaging stories, insightful action steps, and inspiring Scripture, When They Turn Away is a biblically based, practical book that teaches parents to forgive themselves, forgive their children, seek forgiveness from their children, and—ultimately—be able to affirm that there is “no greater joy than to know [your] children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825489662
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	12/10/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	301 KB

About the Author

Dr. Rob Rienow considers his most important ministry to be loving his wife and partnering with her to lead their seven children to love God. Rob has been serving in pastoral ministry for the last 25 years and is the founder of Visionary Family Ministries through which he shares the biblical message of family discipleship with parents, couples, and church leaders around the world. He is the author of several books including Visionary Parenting and Visionary Marriage. You can connect with Rob at VisionaryFam.com, Facebook.com/VisionaryFam and @visionaryfam.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"What a helpless feeling many Christian parents have when contemplating the faith—or lack of it—in their adult children. In a thoughtful, yet practical approach, Rob Rienow leads readers out of the desert of hopelessness. Filled with both grounding principles and practical helps, When They Turn Away will lead you through refreshing discoveries about what you can—and can't—do about this deeply personal situation."—Dr. Charles Arn, church consultant and author

"Through the Scriptures and illustrations, Rob reminds us we are not alone, it's never too late, and we must hold fast to the goal of our children placing their full faith and trust in Christ. You will richly benefit from reading this book."—John White, Maturing Adults Pastor, Wheaton Bible Church

"Rob Rienow has written an incredibly necessary book that will not only inspire parents who have children that have turned from God but also provide practical things you can do to influence your wayward sons and daughters to give God another chance. If you have children who have turned away from God, this is a must read book!"—Pastor Mark Holmen, Missionary to the Faith@Home Movement, www.faithathome.com

"In When They Turn Away, Rob Rienow guides parents through realistic, biblical steps that have great potential in reconnecting parents with their adult children, and vice versa. I highly recommend it."—Dr. Peter Menconi, author of The Intergenerational Church: Understanding Congregations from WWII to www.com.

"A seasoned pastor, Rob Rienow provides neither sweet words nor empty promises, but rather a caring message about the love of God. His godly optimism shines brightly in this practical book of encouragement."—Dave Gallagher, D. Min., Green Lake Conference Center

"Rob Rienow has done an incredible job of capturing the burden that so many parents feel for their adult children. When They Turn Away brings you hope even in the midst of painful times."—Jim Burns, President, HomeWord, Author of Confident Parenting

"This book is all about HOPE! Parents need a strategy, they need well crated words to balance grace and truth, and they need to know God expects them to pursue and move toward their lost child. Without a doubt, this book will recover a lost generation!"—Pastor Ron Brenning, Grace Chapel, Englewood, CO

"Every Christian parent who longs to see their adult child walk with Christ should read this book and put the principles into practice."—Dr. Amy Hanson, speaker, consultant, adult ministry specialist and author of Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults Over 50

"Parents: read this book. Saturated with the Word, When They Turn Away will encourage you in the intense battle for your child's soul."—Kim Davidson, Family Discipleship Director, Providence Baptist Church

"When They Turn Away poses the question, is it too late for us to counter a secular culture's spiritual sway on our adult children? Rob Rienow says no!"—Ward Tannenberg, Executive Director, CASA Network "[When They Turn Away is] practical, biblical, simple, relevant."—Dr. Scott Turansky, National Center for Biblical Parenting