I believe the most important thing we did for our kids (now all grown) was to have daily devotions, usually led by their father. Alas, the personal sacrifice involved is far too much to expect from today’s young parents. I am amazed at how few will even entertain the idea, and how they fail to see how essential it is.
Great stuff here, again. Glad I'm subscribing moving forward.
That said, I think Smith is right here, even if he's a reason I struggled with my views on the Bible for so long! (Kidding; that was more Peter Enns.) One of the things I've loved about our current parish is there hasn't been a children's ministry for the past year. While I am excited for this to start back up, it's been great having our two kids present for the liturgy, reading of scripture, etc. It might not be my five year-old's favorite thing to sit through, but I'm confident the Lord is shaping him through it. But that doesn't mean we ignore what happens at home, including prayers at night, reading through the Bible together, exercising forgiveness, and so on.
I come from a secular family. I had to search out people who would tell me, show me, be an example of what a Christian looks like. Youth group was a wealth of knowledge and experience for me. My siblings and I played instrumental roles in leading our parents to the Lord. I don’t disagree with this article, and am working hard not to ‘punt’. But I guess my experience is pretty different, and I saw a lot of ‘Christian’ families end up raising non Christians.
The question I have on this is where does this leave room for the Spirit to “call?” Although I’m totally in agreement on doing our best to raise our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” we also need to trust the Lord to reach into their hearts. We can only try to prepare the ground that it be receptive.
I am from a totally secular family. They sent me to Sunday School so I could make up my own mind, but the church was a liberal mainline denomination where being "good" was enough. I learned about the Gospel from my own reading of the Bible and asking people (who I thought might be "real" Christians") questions. My family disintegrated during my teens, and I was led into the Kingdom and discipled by caring people from the church I eventually connected with. I don't want to minimize the effects of good Christian parenting, but please remember that many of us come into the kingdom because of caring friends and teachers who want to influence kids spiritually towards a personal relationship with Christ.
Sad to admit that my parents “punted” but I had many Christian teachers, friends, therapists and mentors along the way who all influenced my life. Parents aren’t the end-all-be-all for spirituality and growth and thank God for that.
I believe the most important thing we did for our kids (now all grown) was to have daily devotions, usually led by their father. Alas, the personal sacrifice involved is far too much to expect from today’s young parents. I am amazed at how few will even entertain the idea, and how they fail to see how essential it is.
Great stuff here, again. Glad I'm subscribing moving forward.
That said, I think Smith is right here, even if he's a reason I struggled with my views on the Bible for so long! (Kidding; that was more Peter Enns.) One of the things I've loved about our current parish is there hasn't been a children's ministry for the past year. While I am excited for this to start back up, it's been great having our two kids present for the liturgy, reading of scripture, etc. It might not be my five year-old's favorite thing to sit through, but I'm confident the Lord is shaping him through it. But that doesn't mean we ignore what happens at home, including prayers at night, reading through the Bible together, exercising forgiveness, and so on.
I come from a secular family. I had to search out people who would tell me, show me, be an example of what a Christian looks like. Youth group was a wealth of knowledge and experience for me. My siblings and I played instrumental roles in leading our parents to the Lord. I don’t disagree with this article, and am working hard not to ‘punt’. But I guess my experience is pretty different, and I saw a lot of ‘Christian’ families end up raising non Christians.
The question I have on this is where does this leave room for the Spirit to “call?” Although I’m totally in agreement on doing our best to raise our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” we also need to trust the Lord to reach into their hearts. We can only try to prepare the ground that it be receptive.
I am from a totally secular family. They sent me to Sunday School so I could make up my own mind, but the church was a liberal mainline denomination where being "good" was enough. I learned about the Gospel from my own reading of the Bible and asking people (who I thought might be "real" Christians") questions. My family disintegrated during my teens, and I was led into the Kingdom and discipled by caring people from the church I eventually connected with. I don't want to minimize the effects of good Christian parenting, but please remember that many of us come into the kingdom because of caring friends and teachers who want to influence kids spiritually towards a personal relationship with Christ.
Sad to admit that my parents “punted” but I had many Christian teachers, friends, therapists and mentors along the way who all influenced my life. Parents aren’t the end-all-be-all for spirituality and growth and thank God for that.