When they are at the age to accept or reject the LORD God of the Holy Bible, the Word of God.
I have young ones who love God. How to prepare them to make the right choice when entering the age of accountability (teen years)?
The world constantly tell them that the bible isn't true, etc. And Christians believe in Jesus. So, they get both, but too often more of the rejection of God from the world.
So? How can we prepare them to make the right choice?
2007-07-20 03:50:08 · 19 answers · asked by t_a_m_i_l 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
According to John 1, every child born into this world has seen the True Light. So? All children love God in their soul & conscience.
2007-07-20 06:29:35 · update #1
jonjon, To me, brainwashing, is renewing ones mind in the Word of God. Washing away wrong or stinking thinking.
2007-07-20 06:31:28 · update #2
Father K, What happened to Mr. Nice Guy? Jesus told the people that the children who loved him were an example of the Kingdom of God. So? Obviously somethings happens in the teen years (sometimes earlier or later, depending on the individual) They either whole heartedly commit to Jesus Christ as Lord of their life, or the reject Christ, or they are intimidated by others who are offended of the Gospel & just forget about God. To me, this is common sense and not a new Gospel.
2007-07-20 06:36:34 · update #3
Well, I never actually thought of it that way, but I suppose I prepared them by making our family's relationship with the Lord a way of life. We talked about God everyday, even just about the smallest things. They were always taught to pray & read about the Lord, and we were very active at church. They have just always had a real relationship with the Lord. When my son was seven, our pastor was having a baptismal service, and he wanted to be baptized too. I thought he was too young and wasn't going to let him do it until he was much older. But he was so sincere and insistent that he needed to do it, that after talking to the pastor about it, I gave in. My son is 22 now and still loves the Lord with all his heart. And he laughingly remembers how I tried to prevent him from being baptized. The Bible says to train them up the way they should go, and when they are old they won't depart from it. And "walk the talk", as they say. Being a Christian is about having a relationship with the Lord. Kids know when we are faking it, and I think that is a big reason kids walk away from church when they're older--they've had church instead of a relationship with Jesus. Big difference.
Edit: Is Father K okay today? He sounds rather condescending and arrogant, unless it's just me. What kind of seminary exactly DID he go to that the concept of "the age of accountibility" is so foreign to him. It's certainly not a "new" kind of Christianity to most Christians. (And no, it isn't a specific age.) Is yours the new attitude of Christianity today? I pray not.
2007-07-20 04:22:26 · answer #1 · answered by beano™ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is very scary to realize this, but once they reach the age to reject Christ, we cannot do anything for them. A five year old can reject Christ. Once they know the difference between what is right and what is wrong, they can reject Christ. All we can do is teach them what we know to be true and pray for their salvation. Once they reach that point, it is out of our hands. But we never stop praying or trying to show them the way of truth. We must never give up and we must always provide them with everthing we can to lead them on the straight path. And please disregard any hateful answers you recieve and do not let it discourage you. You sound like a terrific mother. God Bless you and I share your fears.
2007-07-20 03:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Regardless of your religion, you should all do the same thing.
Love your child, care for your child, teach him (or her) to value and respect themselves and others.
By all means tell then what YOU believe, but also allow them to learn about other beliefs too. For if you are uninformed then you are not capable of forming your own opinion.
Your child has the choice and RIGHT to follow his own religion - or to reject all religion when he is old enough to truly understand.
2007-07-20 03:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by HP 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We as parents set the example for them. They emulate us whether they realize it or not. If they see us worship and pray, they will most likely worship and pray. If they see us get baptized, they will also desire to be baptized. If they see us sing praises unto the Lord with a joyful noise and a cheerful heart, then they will also raise their voices up to the Lord in singing. We as parents are also witness to our own kids, as well as to others. As long as us parents stay close to God through daily repentance, prayer, and worship, then our children will want to experience the same joy we have in walking with God.
2007-07-20 04:46:22 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. G™ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Teach them how to think and not blindly follow what a man says on the pulpit. Teach them how to ask question and interpret answers based on wisdom and research. None of which goes against the bible.
2007-07-20 03:54:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Simple. You tell them to listen to that 'little man' in their hearts. Everyone has him there, and some people call it all kinds of different things. I call it God, speaking directly to me. If they listen to what is being offered, and said inside, then all the things in their lives will be ok. Sometimes, as a mother, I want to double check and be sure they will always be ok. But they will be just fine. It is all part of having faith, and trusting that God will guide them, if they listen to the little man!
2007-07-20 03:56:53 · answer #6 · answered by SDC 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Aside from praying that they make the correct choice, you would have to continue teaching them about God. A big thing that would help is showing them your faith in God by living it. Walk the walk and talk the talk.
2007-07-20 03:55:01 · answer #7 · answered by tinystar0726 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
well you need to define "right" choice.
do you mean make a choice that is right for them or a choice which you consider to be right and want to push them to making that choice.
If you want to force them to be religious then from the way you sound I wouldn't worry too much. You sound so fundamentalist that they kids are probably so brainwashed they will never recover. At this point you could probably teach them that wwe wrestling is real and that dubya really does have god on speed dial.
If you want to prepare them to be a better person, and in turn prepare them for life and responsibility and also in turn you demonstrate bieng a good parent, then you educate them on everything and accept and RESPECT whatever decision they chose to make even if it means that they become athiests, hindus or worse: street mimes.
that is what bieng a good parent and decent human bieng is about. not forcing your children to believe in your religion because that is what YOU want.
EDIT: you also mention that jesus is caring for children. I highly doubt that, jesus strikes me as a learned individual who would not knowingly violate the law by operating an unlicensed day care facility. you might want to rephrase if you really respect him rather than accuse him of illegal activity.
2007-07-20 03:58:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Think about this, Do they only love God because you have indoctrinated them with your own personal set of beliefs and traditions? Or did you give them a full un biased choice in choosing Jesus and God? Once you understand that then you will have your answer. They haven't been given a choice in the matter. If they decide to become buddhists or Muslims after they grow up it's because they have chosen. What might be the right choice for you may not be for them.
2007-07-20 03:53:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
I would talk about God and how God wants us to make a choice. I would hope my child would go to the church. They give great teaching.
2007-07-20 03:53:52 · answer #10 · answered by Ulrika 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋