Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-9
My parents were diligent about making sure our family was in church and that I was at Awana and youth group as I got older. I learned a lot about God and His statutes and rules at church. But as I look back, I learned even more at home through my parents' example. Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us straight up to teach God's statutes and rules diligently to our children.
So what are some different ways to do that? How did your parents teach and train you? What are you doing with your children or grandchildren? And for those of us who aren't parents, what can we do to help with training up and teaching children and youth? Tami W.
It starts with our childhood. My Catholic upbringing taught me disciplines I lean on today as an immersed believer to remember God is always with me. I need to trust Him more. When my little granddaughter stays with me I practice my lessons for Sunday school together. Each time I see or talk to my Grandchildren I ask them "Did you say 'thank you God for brand new day?'. I have difficulty speaking of Godly things in my family. Please pray for me. It is easier for me to teach other children and talk with other Christians or seakers of faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit must be involved in my life. I must be obedient and ready. I must start the day in time alone with God. Give Him everything and pray He will guard my lips. I fail so often it hurts!
For one, church was part of the fabric of our lives. Gathering with other believers in worship each week was not optional. I find it interesting that some advocate allowing children/teens the option of forming their own opinion of faith/spirituality. Do these same people decide to let their children decide when they would like to brush their teeth or wash their hands?
Who we are as spiritual beings, ultimately, is an individual decision, but without laying a foundation, some will never understand the need or see the value. They will know the emptiness, but they won't understand why they feel that way.
I wasn't always enthusiastic about going to church as a kid. And as a teen, I would have chosen sleep over the service more weeks than not. During college, when I finally was on my own, I left church altogether. Funny thing was, a few years out of college, there was this tugging, a longing to get back in fellowship with believers. I found my way back, and have been an active part of the Body ever since. My parents (and grandmother's) prayers, example, and--yes--forced participation in church--brought me home.
Training children is hard!!! I haven't had a lot of success in this regard, at least not yet. I think the example you live at home is the most important part. That example is what children will remember, even more than the verses they memorized.
Great subject! Four anyone wanting more on this subject I recommend the book Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham. Great read!
My daughter is only 2, but I take her to church regularly and am showing her that it is a priority to go to church. next year when she turns 3 she will start Sunday School. I bought a prayer book from the Christian Store and we say a few prayers before she goes to sleep. she can even finish some of them! she has several other Christian books that we read together and she can point to Jesus in the pictures. I plan on doing a family bible study when she gets a little older, however this may prove tricky given that her dad is one who is not really a believer but thinks that he is. this is what makes it a long road ahead of me but I am being dilligent with her and doing my own prayer and bible study. I just pray that she will be saved sometime during her childhood.
Like you Tami, I also went to church with my family regularly. I was in missionettes which was like the christian girls club. I learned a lot from the teachers and sponsers we had there. The parents have the primary job to raise the children, but we church members should be there to help and support them.
As children we all had to go to church on Sundays, our lives were filled with church as our parents were very active in the church and we had many friends who were church members. We had regular devotion at home but in particular my parents taught by the lives they lived, they lived the lives they taught and that impressed me most. Today most of their six children are ardent christians who are also actively involved in the church.