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

by Rob Rienow

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).

Genres: Parenting, Family

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2010

Reviews

[Denise Ballentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book both immensely practical and scriptually sound. I liked that this is not a formulaic book with a list of steps that must be followed precisely in order to achieve the desired results i.e. "Ten easy ways to fix your adult child." Also, this is in no way about beating people over the head with the Bible. The author starts out by giving you some interesting background on why so many young adults are abandoning their faith--why they are "just not buying any of it." Then he gets to the heart of the matter: What should I do about it? Reinow outlines four main points that could be called "steps" but really seem like more of a guide. These are: offer your heart to the Lord, turn your heart to your child, draw your child's heart to yours, and point your child's heart to Christ. He freely admits there is no guarantee that your child will change if you follow them, but he gives you practical and non-threatening ways foster open communication. Within each of these principles is a wealth of advice, based on truth and respect. I think this book will be very helpful to parents and grandparents of adult children who have shut the Lord out of their lives. I know I found it that way. Highly recommended. (I was given a free copy of this book through Goodreads and Kegel Publications)

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. He explains the four steps you need to take to help bring your child to faith in Christ:

1. Offer your heart to the Lord.
2. Turn your heart to your child.
3. Draw your child's heart to yours.
4. Point your child's heart to Christ.


He says that many people make the mistake of thinking that they cannot influence their children once the children become adults. So long as you have a relationship with your child you can improve that relationship and influence the child to faith.

His explanations are easy to read and understand and he uses bible verses to back them up. All christian parents should read this. Even if their children are still young or even if they are now grandparents. It is never too late to learn!



I received this book through Goodreads first reads.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the wasy that the author spelled out the steps to help turn your adult children's hearts to God. First it needs to start with you. Won't go on with mentioning the following steps because so much more detail needs to go with each step. After I read this it gotg me to thinking that so much of the information could also be used to draw other family members to God. I thought Rob did a very good job at bringing out the neccessary points but at times it did get a bit repetitious. Over all I highly recommend this book to all that have a heart to bring their children back to God.

[Catherine Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many parents today have issues and broken relationships with their grown children. This book is an excellent resource for struggling parents as it outlines four steps to draw your grown child back to you and then to Christ! It is a book to read, contemplate and then read again, as you prayerfully reach out to your beloved adult child. It has greatly influenced and empowered me in my walk with my grown children.

[Audrey Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this one in a free online drawing here on Goodreads! It was a good book! While my kids are 16 and under, my first husband is a perfect example of this book and it was a huge help to me in answering some worries I have had in how to NOT walk the same road my ex-in-laws are walking.
I will recommend this book to others!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only illustrates why we lose our
adult children but ways to draw them back to
Christ! I would highly recommend this book as
an awesome encouragement that there are things
we can do! Do check this out. I am going to
get some more by Rienow, I really like what he
has to say.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Good Reads and Kregel. This is my first time winning a book on Good Reads and I am so excited. Can't wait to receive in the mail. God knows what we need when we needed and He is always on time with his provisions. Thanks again!

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

everything rienow writes appears to be right. that's not the problem with this book. the problem is that he is right in such a way that no one wants to be right with him. he crosses the line into sanctibullying again and again.

[Karen Klein]

Started this and it's really good, but I have so much going on right now that I'd rather read it another time when I can really concentrate it.