Intentional

Opinion polls repeatedly reveal that most Americans claim some sort of belief in God, or a god, or a higher power/supreme being. (Whether or not they mean they believe in the God of the Bible is up for debate.) And yet, despite high profession of "belief," attendance at houses of worship continues to be low (some reports say around 30% of the population). In most mainline churches, getting a 50% attendance versus membership rate is considered a success. We believe in...something...or someone...but somewhere along the way, we seem to have gotten the idea that we quit there. As long as we believe and live a "reasonably good life," we don't have to do any more. Somewhere we have bought the idea that faith just "happens."

Some think that because their parents were Christian...or had some sort of faith...they, too, instantly are that same faith. As if the nutrients that flow from the mother to the baby in the womb contains some sort of "faith seed" that makes you the same as your parents. You believe whatever they believe (though, of course, that's changed in recent years) or you believe because they believe. But that still supports the erroneous notion that faith just "happens."

It doesn't. I've served and been a part of many churches over the years where the grandparents and parents are heavily involved in the church and have been for generations, but where are the kids? And the grandkids? No where to be seen. Faith didn't just "happen." And the idea that they will "come back someday" is increasingly being proven false.

Developing our faith takes intentionality, which is why the third of the five practices is "intentional faith development." Even for those who are active in the church and do attend worship, faith doesn't just rub off. Faith doesn't just "happen." Like anything worth doing, faith takes work and planning and intentionality. We don't inherit faith like a genetic disposition. We can't hang onto our father's or mother's faith. Faith has to be our own. We have to develop it and allow it to grow in our lives.

What does intentional faith development look like?

It looks like a mother reading the Bible to her children before bed.

It looks like a father taking time to pray with his children even before they know what prayer is.

It looks like a family worshipping together.

It looks like a businessman making the time to join a small group Bible study even though there are a thousand demands on his time.

It looks like that busy single mom staying for Sunday School instead of running out after worship. Or it might look like simply going to worship every week rather than once a month.

It looks like getting up early to study the Bible and pray before the day begins—or carving out consistent time during the day to do the same.

It looks like a Sunday School teacher studying before arriving at church so that he is ready to help shape younger people's faith.

It looks like making a commitment to a long-term Bible study so that you can stop making the excuse, "I just don't understand what's in there."

It looks like this and a million other things we do to develop our faith. People spend millions of dollars and maybe as many hours to develop their healthy lifestyle, to lose weight, to work out—to do things that help their body be stronger and live longer. Why are we not willing to invest the same effort in developing our faith muscles?

When you are gone, what will your children say was most important to you? I want my kids to be able to say that I was a man who developed my faith intentionally.

What intentional step will you take today?