How do I teach my children about god?

Question

I was (sort of) raised Jewish. I was always allowed to attend churches with my friends but had very little in the way of formal religious education. I thought I would raise my children as Christians as I agreed to with my husband but he doesn't attend church and I can not seem to find a congregation where I feel comfortable or accepted. All of the good folks there seem so SURE of their beliefs that my questioning is not well recieved. I want to give my children a faith, but how do I give what I do not possess?

Answer 1

I think, my dear sister, a good and way to teach your kids about "GOD" is by example. To teach your children respect for themselves, and all living things, to appreciate the beauty of this beautiful Earth (help them pick up trash to teach them a loving act in caring for their home), humility, honor, compation. Of corse I could go on & on, but you know what I mean. Live in a GOD like way and teach them all the values that you admire most (at times this can be very difficult, but well worth it!) "GOD" is.........all 1........in the breath we breath, we breath in GOD, our heart beats of GOD. Teach something from all religions to show open mindedness to any door, not just one. If you teach them all religins.......just think of all the beautiful houses you will be welcomed into and all the experiences you can share with them. Native American, Krishna, Christian, Jewish, etc..... Also, I think its important to teach them how to be strong and aware. In all the love you show them, there is still Evil, any of the Marshal Arts is a wonderful, and fun way to learn self-discipline, and self-defese.******* Much LOVE 2 U and your Family*******

Answer 2

Ppl who attend church are at different stages. Some have been Christians for years, others recently and some are not Christians. Some are "cultural" Christians, but don't know much about the Bible. When you start going to a church, you might feel funny because it's a new environment and you are just starting to meet the members of the congregation. It's almost like going to a new school as a kid. I am a Christian and believe that the most important feature of a church is that it recognizes that Jesus is the son of God and that we receive eternal life by accepting Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins. Good works and living a proper life and treating others fairly are things that we should want to do as followers of Jesus and God, but are not the basis for us going to heaven after we die. Perhaps you can talk with the pastor in his office on a week day and explain to him what you are seeking. It is not my mission in life to interfere with Jewish traditions (many of the early Christians started out life as Jewish ppl) but since you asked the question, I thought I'd respond. In the New Testament, Paul wrote that we should not let differences of opinion separate each other. Some of the early Christians continued to celebrate Passover and follow a Kosher diet and I personally see no problem with this. I do not eat pork myself (though this is mainly for health reasons). The important thing about Christianity, especially in the modern world is that each and every individual understand and read the Bible and not depend on clergy to read the Bible and give orders to the congregation. The clergy should provide guidance and explanations, but it is up to each individual to worship God and Jesus. You sound like a thoughtful and a good mom. God bless you and your family!

Answer 3

Take them to Sunday school on Sunday mornings. If they're really young they'll be taught all the basic bible stories, that God loves them, songs, etc. A lot of baptist churches also have a program on either Wednesday or Sunday nights called Awana that's really good. I guess the best way to describe it is it's like bible scouts. They wear uniforms similar to boy/girl scouts, memorize bible verses, and have game time. I grew up in it and it's really fun.

I really hope that you find a church were you can feel comfortable and accepted. I hope that you and your children come to know the wonderful love of Jesus Christ.

Don't feel bad that you're questioning your beliefs. It's perfectly normal to do. How can you be totally sure of something if you don't weigh your options and find what is right. Remember that no one is perfect. Also no church is perfect. If you lived around here, I could recomend and amazing church to you... but alas.
I hope that you find what you're looking for in your search.

Answer 4

Sharon,

You have been given some practical advise and I feel that I have something to add.

Faith is like any living thing, it can wither and die or it can grow. It is dependant upon the care (spiritual feeding) that you give to it. Keep searching for a home church and ask God to guide you to one. If you are not nourished in your church, it is simply not the right one for you. The needs of your children are also important, and this becomes more evident as they mature.

Being as you did not tell us the ages of your children, I can only generalize and say that their reading and study material and outings should be age appropriate.

Children learn best by the example we set, even when in the rebellious teen years. Pray with your children (again age appropriate), teach them to give thanks, take their concerns to God. Make it a point to give verbal praise to Him, a short "Thank you God" will suffice for the very young. Teach older kids how to look in scripture for advice and teachings on the issues they are facing.

Do not fear telling your kids that you are going to Him for advice. Be a living testimony to them. Pick out a particular place to pray, and let them know what that space is for..
Develop friendships with other Christian mothers and seek their counsel and ideas.

I Bow Down Prayer Warrior

Answer 5

Your children will thank you a million times over when they grow up if you give them the ability to reason instead of a Faith. You can teach them the difference between right and wrong without deceiving them into a belief of imaginary beings in another reality. You can teach them that reason is the only tool we have for distinguishing the real from the unreal, the true from the false, the moral from the immoral.

It is more honest to tell them you do not have an answer for certain things, rather than invent one. As they grow up intellectually honest, they will have a better chance to get to the answers of the diffcult questions of life than those who believe without questioning.

Answer 6

If you want to raise your children in the light of God, I would suggest looking for a church around you that has awana. It is a great program which takes your children through the bible, going over verses, memorizing important verses, and learning that God loves us all, in a fun inviorment with games and other children there age. I am a leader for it and it really is great! http://www.awana.com/
go there if you would like more information or a church near you with the program, you can even help out with the program, and it might be a great way to find a church for you.

Answer 7

Find a Childs bible and read it to them
There are many on the market...
Your children can learn much more from you than
they can from any 'Church'
Although I do attend Church, it is to be close to others
who love God the same as I do....
I go to Church to Worship Jesus, the lessons are just a plus...
Try a few till you find the right one and check out their Sunday School to make sure you children are going to get the correct message....Just remember you are the best Church your children will ever attend....God bless

Answer 8

REad the Bible. It teaches every aspect of the Christian faith. And it will help you learn something also. It has instructions just for your children in there too! Go buy a bible at the christian book store, they have many kinds, they also have books on parenting. Just go to a christian book store (there are many around) tell them what your looking for and they will help you find exactly what you need!

But all you really need basically is a Bible. It will give you every answer you need ^_^

Answer 9

Don't "teach" them anything. Be what it is you believe. Do your own work. Allow them to question and read about different religions and spiritual traditions, always keeping an open door to new insights.
How much you do really depends on their ages. I, personally, don't think it is wise to "teach" kids about religion at all, but I also think any real emphasis on these topics is better at the age of reason, around 12 or 13. That is when they can use logic and analysis to decide for themselves.

Answer 10

The obvious answer is to first strengthen your faith. And you do that by getting into the Word of God the Holy Bible. Read it, hear it, study it. Your children will watch you and desire to emulate you.

Shop around for a good church and get your kids into it as early as possible - they even have nurseries for free. Hey, you shop for a car, a house and clothes right? Shop for a church as well. It is far more important.

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.