How important can bringing up your kids to accept Christ at that tender age?

Question

Children under age ten may have a very narrow view of life and the world the ylive in in order to understand some of the basic Biblical teachings. In order not to give them the shock later on in life, is it best to just teach them the moral aspects and to leave the religious aspects? or to start early as christians.
For mature Christians please.

Answer 1

Excuse me if I have a 'tone', but I have very strong opinions on this. Children may have a narrow view of the life we have made, but they have a better concept of who they are and where they came from. They understand total love and acceptance. You teach them that as their parent. You love them no matter what.

So what biblical teachings are going to shock them? That if they don't follow the laws and accept Jesus they aren't making it to heaven? Now that is just opposite of what they already know and understand about love. God is love. Our morals are written on our hearts and our laws are of our society and government.

Do your children have a soul that is loved by God, or does that only happen when they accept Jesus? What age is it that they turn from innocent babes to responsible enough to be scared into belief? Funny how the bible doesn't touch this subject, not even once.

We teach them about sin, and now they have sin consciousness. They have just eaten from the tree of knowledge. Then we say Jesus died for their sins, but they still have to repent.

Jesus fulfilled the law, which included the requirement to believe. It is done. Anything you think you have to do to gain favour with God is only self righteousness and ego.

What if you teach them they are one with God and with everyone else? That they are inseparable from God. That God loves them no matter what and He has given them a good spirit to know how to help people? That they have the power to create a great life? Imagine the possibilities. Imagine how they will not be stifled when they have no fear. When they are free to be and to live and to love.

This is what Jesus was trying to prove, that the law only disqualifies but grace and peace makes us all accepted and equal.

Answer 2

I believe that all children go to heaven if they die as children but I dont know at what age that it wouldnt apply any more, so I think its important to teach them as early as two years old, I started out in the church nursery at two with biblical pictures and bible stories and childrens prayers, then as I got older it got more advanced. I had bible school and vacation bible school and so on. Plus its important to talk at home about it and have discussions. Let them ask questions. Of course the moral lessons are taught early like two, but its a learning process over a life time. Children love the stories, teens rebel against religion, your 20's you learning who you are and starting to question and understand religion a little more. I don't think people become truely spiritually mature til thier 30's.

Answer 3

Its not very important to teach your kids about the Bible. Its a very good thing to teach your kids about morals, and after all, theaching the bible doesnt mean the morals are being taught. I've grown up in a christian house, church every sunday till i was 14, then i realized that you have to figure out your beliefs on your own. Travel and that will open your childrens eyes. let them know that the world is way bigger than the town you live in. Take them to see what it means to live poor and not have anything. your childeren will respect the fact that you showed them these things at an early age, and hopefully they will be humbled.

Answer 4

I remember at age 2 learning about Jesus. It was very simple. My mom started to teach me the song Jesus Loves Me. I can remember her and I singing that song every day at least 3 times a day if not more. I can remember her singing all through the day. I learned so much about Jesus through her songs. I remember her reading from a childrens Bible which has helped me as an adult. Children are gifts from God and God will teach them through His Word. It is most important to teach the young children about Jesus and what he has done for them. I sang songs to my children when they were babies. They may not have understood what I was singing but they are ages 7,5,3 now but have learning disabilities but they are learning the basic Biblical teachings. They can sing 3 songs right now and they love to sing to Jesus. They pray and their prayers are wonderful. They pray for their brothers. They pray for their family. They pray for the people in the whole world that they've never met but have seen pictures of. These children are learning what it means to be like Jesus. They are so giving and caring. If I could I would have all kids taught about Jesus from the time they were born. As it says in the Bible "Train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from thee" or "let the little children come unto me" I hope this helps you to understand about the full moral aspect and basic Biblical Teachings is very important to a young child at an early age. God Bless You. If you need more help or need something answered you may contact us via e-mail or yahoo messenger.

Answer 5

I think the best way to introduce little ones to Christ and the Bible is to start when they are very young. There a lot of great books out there that simplify the stories of Noah, the birth of Christ, etc. for youngsters. As they get older more detail is added. I took great pleasure in reading these stories to my sons as they were growing up. Now I read them to my grandchildren. My sons remember hearing the Bible stories from a young age. Neither were traumatized or shocked by the stories. They were a normal part of their upbringing, teaching morals and values and how to follow Christ. My youngest grandson will be 2 in October. We purchased a board book Bible for him. Lots of pictures and bright colors, very few words. I can't wait to give it to him and read it to him. A child's faith grows and matures as they grow and mature. Give them the building blocks of faith right along with reading, writing and math, etc.

Answer 6

as a long time Christian since I was about 4 years old, and now 65, I believe the earlier a person teaches their child about Christ and more importantly, asks Christ to manage their child's' life, the better for that child. Evil is and will be in this world until Christ returns, so having His ((God's)) spirit watching us, will help to protect us from making the wrong decisions in this life. Knowing Jesus is the strongest most peaceful way to overcome everything that negative thinking people will try to tell you. Knowing Jesus will also give you peace of mind and strength to overcome hardship or troubles in your life, so the sooner the better for teaching about Christ to your child.

Answer 7

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that first answer. Raising your child in a Christian home is no more brainwashing than raising him/her in a Jewish, Muslim or atheist home. You raise your children to think and make decisions for themselves, but by giving them Christ early one, you're grounding them in a very fundamental foundation. Not to mention that Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. The Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God, and we know from reading John chapter one that The Word is Jesus Christ. If you're a Christian and you're having doubts about "forcing" religion on your child, pray. If you're not a Christian, I suggest you research the other religions out there and see if any of them offer what Christianity does...a free gift that gives eternal life.

Answer 8

When God gives us the gift of a child it is our duty to raise them in the admonition of the Lord. We can not push them into salvation, that will come when the Holy Spirit convicts them. But I promise you that unless you teach them the foundation within your home, as you drive, by every action and word that comes from your mouth, then they will learn someone's way, which may not be of Jesus Christ. My son, who is 17, often says to me, "Mom, please don't quote the Bible to me, I know I'm in trouble, you can give me the scripture later." When he is then ready to deal with the issue at hand, he usually has found the scripture, as I have always used it to teach him by and he tells me why what he did was wrong. Had I left it up to some of the things I hear his friends tell him, I would be very sorry and I am glad when I hear him say to them, that's not what my Mom brought me up or that's not what the Bible teaches or better yet when he drags them out of his room and says, Mom, show them in the Bible why we believe this! That is when I know the God child gifted me with I have laid a good foundation for - that's not to say as he is preparing to leave home, he won't step away from God - I'm sure he will - he does now, as we all do - but I rest easy at night knowing he already has certain convictions and I will rest easy in all his choices, good or bad, knowing that in the back of is mind he has been taught the Truth of God's Word.

Answer 9

I feel that children should be brought up in a christian home from the start and that teaching them about the Bible and God's way of life is what is best for any child.

Answer 10

Yes you should instruct them in biblical teachings early on, however any step of confirmation or deeper involvement in a church should wait until the child is at least 17 years old so you are not brainwashing the child.