1. First of all if you have not, start by praying for them regularly and daily!
Col 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
2. I would love them as Christ would Love them
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That means to let them know you love them and care for them while not condoning their conduct or accepting there sin.
3. With out badgering harassing or nagging at every open door given to you by God with love warn them of the consequences of sin but warn them without condescension.
1 Thess 5:14-16 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
4. Take a righteous position and have a testimony with humility to be a Godly example to them. Example lets say they smoke. If you smoke then you have no testimony and cannot take a position. If you do not smoke then when children come to your home you should let them know they are welcome they are wanted but in your home they cannot smoke. When you are in their home you have no power to tell them they cannot smoke in general you should take this position with all sin thereby drawing a morale line but not casting away your children.
Matt 7:3-6 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
5. If you are beset yourself by addictive sin such as smoking you could with humility exhort them to not fail the lord as you have failed Him but their will not be power in this it is only a demonstration of love and concern that usually does not impress sinners.
6. Use every opportunity and circumstance available to get them to attend church regularly where they will come under the influence of the preaching of course you need to be an example yourself. Do not beg, harass or brow beat. Example I am going to church and I would love to have you go with me. If they refuse then say well maybe the next Sunday we could go together would you pray about it. Or we are having an event next week would you come with me for fellowship and a blessing.
7. Study the wisdom of the father of the prodigal and apply it to your life and your children that have gone astray. Don’t help your children stay in sin as many parents do by supporting them in their sin because you want to protect them.
Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
