How do you parent a prodigal child? This is the second part of my interview with Catherine Segars.

Listen / Read Part One HERE where Catherine and I discuss why kids are turning away from the Lord and what we as parents can do about it.

Catherine Segars is an award-winning actress and playwright––––turned stay-at-home-mom––––turned author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and motherhood apologist. She is a homeschooling mama of five, and the host of the podcast CHRISTIAN PARENT /CRAZY WORLD. Catherine is passionate about helping parents navigate through dangerous secular landmines and establish a sound Biblical foundation for their kids.

Below you will find an outline of the topics Catherine and I discuss:

How can I help my child who is questioning their faith?

1). Pray

• Prayer is our first line of defense 
• Use Scripture to pray for your kids
• Download Catherine’s free resource to help you pray for struggling kids
• Download Laurie’s free ebook: Confident Prayers—Praying the Scriptures for Your Child

2). Understand what stage of parenting you are in and what your role is at each stage.

• Caregiver—take care of physical needs (babies)
• Cop—keep them safe (toddlers, preschoolers)
• Coach—explain the reasons behind the rules, engage in deeper conversations (elementary, middle school, early high school)
• Counselor—pray, guide, but do not give unsolicited advice (late highschool / early adult years)

3). Commend them for their courage

• If your child is struggling in their faith, commend them for their courage in telling you.
• “I love you regardless of what you think, say, or do.”
•  Emphasize your unconditional love, and the unconditional love of God.

How do I establish healthy boundaries for my teenager?

• Benefits come with boundaries. If they want the privilege of living under your roof, they have to live within the boundaries you’ve set.
• They can’t pursue an un-biblical lifestyle and still live under your roof.
• It’s important to maintain a strong relationship while setting boundaries.

How can I love my rebellious teen?

• They don’t need another sermon.. They need an encounter with the living God.
• They need to see the love of god in action through you.
• “Does my mom love me, even if I reject God?”
• You have no influence without a relationship. Maintaining a relationship with your older children is key.
• Ultimately, God is the one who works in their hearts – we don’t have control over the hearts of our kids.

“They don’t need another sermon. They need an encounter with the Living God.”

Catherine Segars

What is my role in parenting a prodigal child?

Parents’ Responsibility:

• Train, love, teach, disciple and pray for our children.
• Own up to our mistakes, have humility and ask forgiveness.
• Pursue the Lord and endeavor to be a godly parent

Moms and Dads often try to parent by convincing, convicting, coercing, and controlling. None of these are part of our responsibility. Convincing and convicting are the Holy Spirit’s job. Coercing and controlling are ways that the Enemy operates.

Child’s Responsibility:

• Choose to follow the Lord.
• Respond to training of parents.
• Live within the boundaries set for them.
• Responsibility comes with privilege; blessings come with boundaries.

God’s Responsibility:

• Pursue our children and bring about heart change.
• Make the seed grow (see I Corinthians 3:6-7).

What if I’ve messed up as a parent?

• First, acknowledge your mistakes, ask forgiveness and seek repentance.
• Remember: none of us parent perfectly.
• Only God is the perfect parent. He had two kids in a garden and they had only ONE bad choice to make. And guess what they chose.
• “You can’t parent your way out of this!”

Partnering With God for Your Prodigal Child

Catherine has put together a free resource that includes:

• Catherine’s PODCASTS and ARTICLES on the prodigal journey
• Resources that will instruct you in prayer 
• Resources that will help you parent Gen Z
• Encouraging testimonies and messages!
• Scriptures to Pray When a Child Has Walked Away from the Faith
• And more!

DOWNLOAD THE PRODIGAL BUNDLE HERE

Family Devotional For Easter

Are you looking for a family-friendly devotional to read with your kids this Easter? Download your free copy of Come and See! 30 Family Bible Stories for Easter