Owning Your Faith

The practices we teach our children at an early age grow into healthy habits later in life. When our 5th and 6th graders packed up for a weekend retreat, they got to experience how a step back from everyday life can refresh your faith in unexpected ways. Fifth-grader, Frances, shares that the 5th and 6th Winter retreat “was the best thing for my relationship with Christ.” 

Throughout the weekend, the kids learned what it means to take ownership of their faith. They focused on Jeremiah 29:11–13, learning about God’s great plans for them and what it means to seek him with all their hearts. Frances shared with the leaders that she sometimes feels confused by the Sunday morning services, but her faith grew at the retreat because the lessons were made for kids to understand. 

Disrupting their usual routines by getting away for a whole weekend to worship, learn, and spend time with their friends was impactful for many of the kids. It encouraged them to navigate their relationship with God independently for one of the first times. Frances shares, “Worshipping in the sessions was when I felt closer to God than ever before. I had never felt that way and it was the best thing that happened for my faith.” 

God’s love is for all of us and can be life-changing at any age. To learn more about how the youngest generation is finding and following Jesus, visit hppres.org/kids.