Is there hope for a child who turns away from Christ as a college student?

Summary

Scripture offers hope for repentance and salvation, even for those who stray, with the dying thief serving as a key example. For parents, the comfort lies in God's desire for their covenant children's salvation and the encouragement to never give up praying for prodigals. True believers may fall, but not finally, while those with inauthentic professions of faith risk falling away completely.