Fellow Christians:?

Question

I have a family members who are very close. They are constantly challenging the up bringing of my children. My daughter was baptised recently and is very active in the church. We as a family pray together and have decided this is the life we want for our children. They constantly challenge the validity of our faith, and Jesus himself what do you do? Oh, by the way the family members are my childrens grandparents.

Answer 1

I think that what your doing is really great!* Unfortunately that's ashame that the whole family can't be like that. What you need to remember is that you are not one to judge others. Just don't let their negative remarks get to you. And she is your child so its up to you how you want to raise her not them. You could offer them to go to church with you .. just don't try pushing them upon the lord. It's up to them if they want to believe or not. It's just your job to show them .. not make them believe that's their own choice. G/L sweetie <3*

Answer 2

Pray for them, and witness to them as well.

For most of us, it is far easier to witness to a stranger than to someone we know and respect. An effective way to soften the message without compromise is to speak in the "first person" or in testimonial form. Say something like, "I didn’t realize that the Bible warns that for every idle word I have spoken, I will have to give an account on Judgment Day. I thought that as long as I believed in God and tried to live a good life, I would go to heaven when I died. I was so wrong. Jesus said that if I as much as looked with lust, I had committed adultery in my heart, and that there was nothing I could do to wash away my sins. I knew that if God judged me by the Ten Commandments on Judgment Day, I would end up guilty, and go to hell."

"It was when I acknowledged my sins that I began to understand why Jesus died. It was to take the punishment for my sins, and the sins of the world." Then, depending on the person’s openness, you may ask, "How do you think you will do on Judgment Day, if God judges you by the Ten Commandments?"

Answer 3

From my experience, family members see the changes in you and they feel threatened by this change.

They actually feel an inward jealousy at what you have found and feel as if you are the ones looking down at their lifestyle and at the same time your former lifestyle.

There have been times when my Mother in Law was so mad at God and felt justified in this anger, during this time she lashed out at us also. All because we do not get angry at God, we get angry at ourselves and our inability to always follow Gods word and his will and his way.

The only way to stand up to challenges to your faith, is to use the very words that cannot be challenged, and those are Gods words, written in the Holy bible for all to read and understand. Grow strong in your knowledge of the scriptures and be ready to use them when challenged.

Try to not use another mans interpretation of Gods word, rely on the bible alone for challenges to your faith. Gods word will win out in the end over mans words.

It would be a bit helpful to know your family members religious thoughts as to if they believe at all or just have differing opinions of how to worship God. Knowing this, I could give you a bit of scripture that you could read and share with them.

Answer 4

...Pray and ask God the Holy Spirit to empower you. Pray for your relatives, also. Remember, you must please God in all you do.
...As Christians, we ought the debt of love to all people (Romans 13:7 or 8); therefore, God requires you to love them and respect them. If you are asked to do something unbiblical, of course you must refuse.
...Listen patiently to suggestions - you may learn something worthwhile - not all suggestions and/or ideas should be rejected. If someone comes up with unbiblical ideas at times, gently correct with Scripture.
...I hope you and your family have your own house or apartment and you are not living with in-laws or grandparents; if you are living with relatives, this can be troublesome - i.e., some in-laws interfere when a rebellious child needs correcting, etc.
...People cannot argue when they see the love of Christ in you and if you are respectful, and can respectfully disagree with them.

Answer 5

Example is the best way to defend your faith. They are not interested in words at this time, but when they see the good results by how your kids are later, they will begin to understand. It may be hard now but it does no good to argue with them, as it will only give them to more arguments. So just lead by example as Jesus has done. Remind yourself that no one is perfect except God. In time the rewards will be seen by all.
Prayer is a good thing as well. Always pray and know that, Jesus said, " IF you abide in me, I will abide in you".
Hang in there.

Answer 6

If they are trying to undermine your position as parents you need to be as direct and blut with them as it takes to get the message accross to them that you will not tolerate that... you do not say which side of family is the trouble or if both sides are... either way... it may ultimatly come to the point where you will have to severily limit or cut off compleatly, all contact between them and your children... and you if it comes to that... and if it is starting to get as bad as you seem to indicate you have serious problem.... if they are doing as you say in your home then tell them flat out to knock it off and bavk up what you say by action.... and if it is in their home limit your exposure and tell them exactly why... You will need unity between you and your spouse... with out that there is no hope of any resolution... you do not give the ages of your children... if they are 7 or 8 and up then they need to be directly involved and given exactly what your position is and why... back it up with the Bible.... get counceling from your church family.... Pray... a lot

some good advice in another answer was not to argue... but... state your position and stick to it..... keep it as calm and civil as possable....

Answer 7

I do understand where you're coming from. My mom suffered the same. But at the end, our up-bringing helped develop who we are today. And know what they say now?....."You are so lucky your kids are good. No drugs, teenage pregnancy, no late night partiers but instead serious and focused in a future."

My mom just smiles but wants to remind them all of how they "judged" her when we were kids. Luck had nothing to do with it! It was her hard work. So I say to you...DON'T let them bring you down, with God's help you'll continue forth!

Answer 8

Just stick to the way God wants you to bring up your children (as much as he's told you in the Bible), keep praying for them and keep answering their challenges the best way you can. Try to avoid arguing with them, do your best to reason with them instead.

Answer 9

You should hold strong in your faith. However, you should not argue or be in any way disrespectful of your family members that disagree with you.
If you allow them to discourage you, or if you get drawn into angry disagreements, you will, in their minds have justified their disapproval of your choices. You must speak the truth with love and kindness. Be patient and continue in prayer and Bible study. Phil. 4:13

Answer 10

We struggle with that a lot aswell, and also with the fact that when we are around our daughters grandparents, they do things that we do not agree with and don't want them influencing our daughter.

Unfortunately, the Bible says that those who disown their mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters for Jesus' sake are blessed. It may be a tough one to do, but worth considering. Prayers are with u friend.
xx