When Children Walk Away From Jesus (Book Review)
An invaluable resource for parents struggling with anguish over their children and for leaders seeking to minister with grace.
“This is a major pastoral issue, and church leaders cannot ignore it,”
writes Paul Mallard in When Children Walk Away From Jesus. That’s exactly why this book is a strong recommendation for everyone in church ministry.
Whether you have children or not, and whether your own children are professing faith or not, if you’re a Christian then you will no doubt know others for whom this issue is a deep heartache.
Parents who love the Lord, who have sought to raise their children in faith, often live without the joy or certainty that their children are trusting Jesus. Some children may reject Jesus dramatically; others may drift quietly away. They may appear outwardly respectable or live in brokenness, but the grief for their parents remains.
In his book, Paul writes with immense pastoral sensitivity, answering many of the questions parents hesitate to voice. He gives scriptural comfort and calls readers to hold fast to their faith, persevere in prayer, and pour out their hearts to the Lord.
The difficult theological questions are answered too – the unforgivable sin, whether you can still be a church leader with unbelieving children, how you can enjoy heaven if your children aren’t there – and Paul tackles these topics so carefully and helpfully from Scripture.
Paul also wisely addresses the sensitive topic of prodigal children who identify as LGBT. He emphasises they are not in a different category before the Lord than any other lost soul. His approach is compassionate and biblical.
This book is an invaluable resource for the church, especially for parents struggling with anguish over their children and for church leaders seeking to minister with grace. It encourages a church culture that lives out Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.”
And throughout, Paul faithfully points to scripture that offers true hope, reminding us that Jesus “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him because he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Thanks to our friends at The Good Book Company, you can order a copy for £6.50 (RRP £8.99) using the code walkawayfiec.
