Faith-Based Parenting: How Biblical Principles Guide the Path to Independence

Letting go is one of the hardest things a parent can do. The moment a child takes their first steps toward independence, parents often feel a mixture of pride, fear, and doubt. Yet, true love is not about holding on—it is about preparing children to stand on their own. In Get Out of Mama’s House: Moving from Enabling to Empowering, Dr. Arthur Ben Faust looks into how faith-based parenting plays a crucial role in guiding young adults toward independence. “Letting go is not abandonment,” he writes, “it is an act of trust in the foundation you have laid.” Grounded in biblical wisdom, his book highlights how Christian principles such as accountability, stewardship, and resilience can shape parenting decisions that empower children rather than enable them.

The concept of leaving home and stepping into adulthood is greatly rooted in scripture. Genesis 2:24 states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This passage emphasizes that growth and maturity require a natural transition away from parental dependence. Dr. Faust illustrates on this in Get Out of Mama’s House, explaining that God’s design for family life encourages independence: “Children are meant to learn, grow, and eventually step out to create a life of their own, grounded in faith and responsibility.”

One of the most essential values parents can instill in their children is accountability. The Bible consistently reinforces the idea that individuals must take responsibility for their actions. Romans 14:12 states, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” This principle applies not just spiritually but in everyday life—children must learn that their choices come with consequences. Dr. Faust warns against the dangers of shielding children from accountability, explaining that enabling behavior can lead to prolonged dependence and entitlement. “When responsibility is removed, so is the incentive to grow,” he writes. Parents who constantly rescue their children—whether financially, emotionally, or socially—prevent them from learning critical life lessons. Instead of stepping in to fix every problem, faith-based parenting encourages guiding children toward solutions. Proverbs 22:6 reinforces this: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Training requires structure, discipline, and sometimes allowing children to experience struggles so they can develop resilience.

The Bible teaches that we are stewards of what God has given us, including our time, talents, and resources. In Luke 16:10, Jesus says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” This principle applies directly to young adults as they prepare to leave home—before they can handle bigger responsibilities, they must first manage smaller ones effectively. Dr. Faust argues that one of the greatest disservices parents can do is not teaching financial responsibility. “A home is not a hotel, and parents are not service providers,” he states.

Many parents struggle with the fear of letting go. They worry about whether their child is truly ready, whether they will succeed, and how they will handle challenges. Dr. Faust reassures parents that fear should not dictate their decisions: “Fear is not from God,” he writes, citing 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Trusting God means believing that the lessons imparted to children will guide them in the right direction. Young adults must also learn to replace fear with faith. Many delay independence out of fear—fear of failure, financial insecurity, or stepping out of their comfort zone. Dr. Faust explains that fear can become a mental prison, keeping young people from reaching their potential. “The world will not wait for you to be ready,” he warns, “but God has already given you everything you need to succeed.”

Faith-based parenting does not mean severing ties once a child moves out; rather, it means transitioning from a caretaker role to that of a mentor. Dr. Faust highlights that parents should continue to provide spiritual and emotional support, checking in without micromanaging. Philippians 4:6-7 provides wisdom in this transition: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Prayer is one of the most powerful ways parents can remain connected to their children, even when they are no longer under the same roof. This balance—letting go while remaining a source of guidance—ensures that children grow into confident, independent individuals without feeling abandoned. As Dr. Faust puts it, “Love does not control; it equips.”

Raising independent, responsible young adults is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give. Dr. Arthur Ben Faust’s Get Out of Mama’s House: Moving from Enabling to Empowering provides a faith-based blueprint for ensuring that children are not just ready to leave home but are spiritually, emotionally, and financially prepared for the challenges of adulthood. “Your role is not to hold on, but to prepare them to stand firm in faith,” he writes.