So what is sticky faith?
Let me help clarify by what I mean using the phrase "sticky faith." It is the notion that as our kids grow up and prepare to leave our home, the one thing we want them to not leave without is a faith in Jesus Christ that is all their own. Sticky Faith is the goal of helping faith stick in the lives of our kids when they graduate high school and move on into the work force or college. Sticky Faith is a great reminder of the importance of parents in the faith development of children. Moms and Dads, we are called by God to teach our children. Our homes are our first and most important mission field.
While we are a part of an important community of faith, we cannot outsource the spiritual development of our children. Sticky Faith looks like these three things...(the following information comes from the book Sticky Faith, Youth Worker Edition, p. 21)
Sticky Faith Is Both Internal & External
In other words "Sticky Faith is part of a student’s inner thoughts & emotions & is also externalized in choices & actions that reflect this faith commitment.” So a sticky faith shows up in the way our student's think & act
Sticky Faith Is Both Personal and Communal
It celebrates God's specific care for each person while always locating faith in the global and local community of the church. We are created for community and as we have been saying for many years here at Chisholm Trail, Life is Relationships. The local church and the regular people we come into contact each week helps to form the faith we all develop.
Sticky Faith Is Both Mature and Maturing
It "shows marks of spiritual maturity but it is also in the process of growth." We are works in progress. I like what Paul says in Philippians 1:6,"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."