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| Make Bible time a priority in your home |
Who is Responsible for your Child' Spiritual Formation?
Start children off on the way
they should go, and even when they are old
they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
Fix
these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands
and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to
your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along
the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11: 18-19
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| Their eyes are always on you whether you know it or not. |
Who is responsible for your child's spiritual preparedness? As a youth pastor, and life-long Sunday
school teacher, I have asked myself numerous times this very question. I don’t
think parents realize that they are responsible for their children spiritual
formation. Parents do not bring children to church as they used to anymore, and
when asked, they often come up with flimsy excuses. Either they had to stay
home to catch up on their much needed sleep due to hard work at school or they
were too sick. I believe that parents
pray over their children and hope that they turn up okay. The Bible commands us to “train” the
children. As an experienced human resource professional, I can tell you that training
is a process. It requires persistence. It takes time. Training involves
coaching and hands on. Parents must not
forget that there is really a spiritual warfare going on in this world and that
children have to be prepared for battles. They cannot be bystanders. They must choose
a side. They have to know who they must
serve: The Lord or the devil. Jesus says it Himself “Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't
working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30
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| Make Bible time fun |
If parents are not telling their children what team to
cheer for, I can guarantee that someone else is doing it for them. It is likely
that they are cheering for the opponent and the deceiver. Teaching is not only
about telling them what to do as much as it is about demonstrating how to live
by living by spiritual principles as well. Children learn more by observing you
than anything else. Parents are the primary role models. Nothing saddened me
more than child’s neglect. It hurts my heart to the point of tears when I visit a family
and all the children are at home playing video games or watching television while
the parents are at church. I think it is selfish for parents to ensure that
their spiritual needs are met while neglecting the spiritual needs of their
children. They need God just as much as the adults if not more. Children are
more vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. Children need to be protected.
They need to know how to fight the good fight of faith and they will not learn
by watching television.
Parents,
at the appointed time, God will hold you accountable for your role in their lives. Will you be able to hold your head up or will you bow down in shame? Remember,
children are gifts of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3
It is
never too late to change the direction of your home. Choose to serve the Lord
with all your heart. Choose to instill the love of God in your children's
lives. Choose to be the role model they so desperately need.
And Father how grateful we are to you
for entrusting us with your dear children! Help us teach them your
ways. Give us the strength to instill your love in their hearts so that when
they are grown they will continue to pursue your righteousness. We praise you.
We honor you. We adore you. For only you are holy and only you are worthy, and only
you are God.
Praise the Lord!
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