Nurturing Our Children's Faith
Over the last week I’ve encouraged you to teach children practical financial principles. Today, I wanted to talk about spiritual things because nurturing our children’s faith, is the most important thing we can do.
I often watch as children graduate from high school and then stop coming to church. I know something has gone wrong well before that point. I’m not a child psychologist, psychiatrist, sociologist, nor any a scholar on any related subject. I’m purely speaking from my experience as a child growing up in church and one day becoming a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, etc.
Broken and Broken-hearted
Teach children this. Regardless as to what some say, we are a broken and broken-hearted people- because our sins have separated us from our God (Isaiah 59:2). There may be times when they feel lonely even though plenty of people are around; may feel sad and really can’t explain why; can’t shake the feeling of hopelessness no matter how hard they try; and may feel like no one understands even though loved ones say they do. There’s a hole, a void, something missing; and only Jesus Christ can fix it. A broken spirit and contrite heart, God promises, He will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
There is hope in Jesus. And not just that, but for many Christians, there is also great and abundant joy. Ever seen a genuinely happy Christian- someone who’s a joy to be around? They’re out there.
Teach Them to Earnestly Seek the Lord
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Teach children to earnestly seek Jesus- though The Word of God- which is the Truth. That means thinking for themselves, asking questions, reasoning through scripture and doctrine, and praying for wisdom and understanding. It means taking one scripture and building it on another without contradicting any. It’s engaging in a lifelong quest for truth and taking on serious study as they would any other subject they’d like to master.
The Word of God says, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God; and how can we hear without a preacher (Romans 10), so it’s indisputable that we need Pastors/Teachers/Preachers. But what I wish I had done a better job at was simply seeking the truth. Looking back, I can now see I was very dependent on my Pastor and sought earnestly to make him proud. I thought I was a great scholar because I went to church a lot, studied a lot, memorized a lot of scriptures, and could often finish my Pastor’s sentences or see exactly where he was coming from. Perhaps your children have been going to church for
years, and have picked up on terminology, phrases, stories, and analogies and can finish their Pastor’s and Teacher’s thoughts and sentence, too. But there comes a day when we will not only have to give our own answer for what we believe and why (1 Peter 3:15); but also, a day when what we say we believe will be tested (James 1). Foster, in children, a curiosity and thirst for Truth. I pray they will love it (Truth); love Him (Jesus).
Teach Them to Be Consistent
There is something to be gained by showing up, to service after service; Sunday School after Sunday School; Bible Study after Bible Study; year after year. There is something to be gained by continuing to engage the scriptures and pressing through for the Truth- not just for knowledge’s sake, but for relationship with our creator and God.
Teach them to strive to live the Word they do understand and not to give up. Whether born again or not, people (even children) reap what they sow. Life will fare better through obedience than disobedience. So, encourage them to keep sowing seedlings, showing up, investing time, praying, and earnestly seeking. Who knows how God might prosper their consistent efforts (Proverbs 11:27, Galatians 6:9)?
Teach Them to Be True
Churches are full of people who say one thing and do another. But we don’t want our children to be that way. Sometimes, things just work out that way. Well-meaning parents, aunties, Sunday School Teachers, Pastors and Preachers, can make children feel pressured to pretend to be what they aren’t; or pretend to understand what they really don’t. On top of that, years of learning the right thing to say at the right time could make children reason that they must be saved. Couple that with dozens of examples of professing Christians who live lives remarkably like the world, and no wonder children are confused. Confused and/or hypocritical kids can grow up to be confused and/or hypocritical adults.
This is a great opportunity to live your faith before them and/or point them towards other role models. There are people who earnestly love Jesus and are genuine and true in their walk. May are very down to earth and approachable.
In the interim, don’t press them to label themselves. Let them be true in their faith walk. I admit it hurts when I hear youth talk about hating church, or not having a desire to know God, or feeling like life is hopeless. They need a safe people to talk things out. Terrible things can happen when they don’t- when they’re left to try to figure it out on their own. We have to at least try.
Conclusion
Teach all the practical things of life but set the highest priority on nurturing their souls (Deuteronomy 6). Any response our children have, is Jesus. Ultimately, only He can open eyes and touch hearts and minds. So, pray for, and pray with them. Never give up!
