View Profile
|
Reply by Nony (A Slob Comes Clean)
author of A Slob Comes Clean
12/2/2009 4:29 PM
I absolutely believe that it is our responsibility as parents to be the ones to teach them. I also believe that they need solid teaching at church too. Maybe it's just us, but it seems like my kids respond better when someone else tells them something that I've already told them. They say things like "Mom, you were right!" with such shock in their voices.
Rather than talking about acting like Christians, I try to talk about what the Bible says specifically about certain situations, attitudes, etc. It definitely keeps me on my toes with my own Bible study! My kids are very open about asking us spiritual questions, and I really think it is because we make it a normal part of our everyday conversations.
|
View Profile
|
Reply by Christin
author of Journey of Discovery
12/2/2009 10:20 PM
This is a wonderful concept that must be grasped...esp. by me!! I am still learning how to allow the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of my children to transform them, rather then trying to conform them. Oh this is so good and so important to decipher! Thank you for bringing this up.
The truth is, I'm not sure where to start! I do need to let go of some things and just let my children "be". I want them to love the Lord, not dread Him.
The biggest thing for me is something you said, too. It's something I've been pondering but not really praying about: I want my children to know Jesus in a REAL way.
Our church does not do the raising. Our children's foundation starts at home. Church is mostly social. It is fellowship with other Christians. It is not the church's job to "train my child in the way s/he should go". God gave me and my husband that responsibility.
I think some important things to keep in mind is:
1. It's OK, and in fact pertinent, to let our children know we, as parents, make mistakes and are in fact sinners in need of a Savior also. Teaching them the order of command may also be beneficial (God-->Father/Mother and Father-->Mother) Apologizing when we've done wrong speaks volumes
2. It takes time, prayer, and patience to teach and train our children. Great tools including great books, great teachers, etc, can be a great help.
3. Just love God! They will see that and share about our relationship with the Lord with our children. What are we struggling with? What is God speaking to us? How do we best connect with God, etc. Just be open. Pray often. :) Serve one another and serve others, together.
|
View Profile
|
Blog pic: (premium)
Reply by Connie
author of Smockity Frocks
Large Family lives & laughs to the glory of God
12/2/2009 10:28 PM
We talk a lot about the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. If God is dwelling in us these will increase. Sometimes I put up a chart like this one and have the kids mark their own progress in these.
|
View Profile
|
Reply by Sarah
author of Chapman Family Blog
12/2/2009 10:58 PM
My main focus is to have a Christ-centered home, where we can feel the love of our Savior. I do expect them to be like Jesus as best they can (three boys, 5, 2, and seven months, it can get kind of hairy!). We read scriptures, sing hymns and childrens' hymns, and pray. Often. We have many pictures of Christ and we talk about him often. Many, many, MANY moments are teaching moments. "Why did you take that away from your brother?!?"
I find it extraordinarily difficult during the Christmas Season. Ironic, isn't it? I've ranted before about the in-your-face presence of Santa during Christmas. Why is it you can find Santa at every store, a wide variety of Santa decorations, and Christmas cards in every style, but finding a nativity is like trying to find a needle in a haystack? I know St. Nicolas is an honorable figure, I just wish there was more about Jesus.
Especially when my kindergartner comes home asking when Santa is coming to our house. Ugh. Jesus is always the focus in our home. For me, true conversion comes through feeling the pure love of Christ, because once you find it, you never want to let it go.
|
View Profile
|
Blog pic: (premium)
Reply by I am blessed!
author of Miscellaneous Musings of a 5X Mom- Quiverfull, Homeschooling, Large Family, Bibl
Come laugh and grow with me!
12/2/2009 11:04 PM
Great topic. I find that I do expect my kids to act like Christians, but the truth is probably only one or two of them are at this point. I have definitely seen my oldest (10 yrs) grapple with convictions. He gets guilt and I think he gets grace. The others not so much. It's hard because I spend a lot of time with them in the Bible, memorizing Scripture, going through character training that is Scripture-based, praying, doing family worship, and talking about spiritual things and after all that I feel like I should be able to see some visible fruit. It gets discouraging when we have tough days and I'm tempted to feel like it's not working. Then I remember that the goal is a changed heart, not behaviour modification. It's true that the changed heart will result in changed behavior, but all too often I focus on I'm seeing or not seeing. I was very odd and at a young age read theology. I cannot imagine giving my kids theology. They wouldn't understand it at all! I just need to slow down and pray that the Lord will work in our family and that we will glorify Him with our lives.
|
View Profile
|
Blog pic: (premium)
Reply by Quirky Momma
author of quirkymomma.com
Activities & crafts for kids! Tips for Moms.
12/3/2009 8:43 AM
Nope. I hope and pray that God will call them to himself, but at the same time, I'd hate for them to think they were "okay" or right with God as a result of how they live, of acting like a Christian instead of being one.
Like Blesses, I am praying that God will work on the hearts of my youngsters. There is a terrific parenting book that has helped us recognize the importance of cultivating a soft heart towards God and things of God, "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tripp. Love it! God has used it to convict me of so many things in my own life.
|
View Profile
|
Reply by ReAnnon
author of Life Of A Higerd Wife
12/3/2009 9:53 AM
As parents it's our responsibility to train our children in the way they should go. I too love the book by Tripp, "Shepherding a Child's Heart." It has been tremendously helpful for both my husband and me. Also the "Jesus Story Book Bible," by Sally Lloyd-Jones is an awesome bible for the little ones to read and make their own. My 18 mo old son asks for his "bibowl" all the time. It is his favorite book, besides "Brown Bear;" he is only 18 months:)
I think constant repentance and talk about our Savior models to our children how important Jesus is to us. If Jesus is the focus of the home, my prayer is that our kid's hearts will sync up with that focus.
|
View Profile
|
Reply by Kristen
author of We Are THAT Family
12/3/2009 11:51 AM
Wow. You guys have amazing perspective! Thank you so much for joining in and discussing this....what can we do as parents to nurture our children's relationship with God? Besides providing the obvious...
|
View Profile
|
Reply by mmstrain
author of a little lagniappe
12/3/2009 12:32 PM
I think the primary place children should learn about Christ is in the home, but I also think the church plays an important role. I have 2 daughters (5 & 2) and they bring home valuable truth from church all the time. I can totally see Christ at work in the life of my oldest daughter & I do my best to answer her questions about faith.
A couple of resources that I use are:
The Well Versed Family &
The Jesus Story Book Bible
The Well Versed Family has helped me to see how to practically implement Scripture memory into my family. I'm by NO means perfect in it, but the verses we've learned come up all the time. It's a great read!
My husband is a college minister so we are always talking about something God-related :) My girls are learning about missions & such through our everyday life when we pray for our college friends as they go to serve God through missions. I pray our daily relationships with our awesome students will also make an impact on my girls.
|
View Profile
|
Reply by Tammy
author of
12/3/2009 2:14 PM
I agree that I want my child to know and love God for himself not because his dad or I tell him too. I feel that the church is a reinforcer of what we believe and teach; therefore, we as parents have an awesome responsibility to live our lives as Christians before our children. Just think the church may have our child for a total of 3 hours a week but we are with them 24/7~who will make the most impact on them? If we imitate Christ I believe, that with all of our imperfections, our children will see the love of Christ in us. If we are imitators of Christ I believe that our children will become imitators of Christ also. I too read Shepherding A Child's Heart and agree that it's a great resource to help your child grow in his walk with the Lord.
|
