Needing a Savior
Is obedience your goal in training your child? All parents want obedient kids (including non-Christians). We teach about obeying parents and following rules. Some kids are like the prodigal son (taking parents for granted and go against the rules). Some kids obey outwardly but become rebellious in teen age years (did not submit in the heart). And some kids do turn out obedient and become rule sticklers (Pharisee-thinking they are perfect and better than others).
It may be easier for the first two groups of kids to see they are sinners (not perfect) and need a savior. But for the last group, they may become lost in terms of salvation. They may conform to all the religious practices and know all the bible stories. But when they are grown, they cannot see themselves as sinners (after all, they've always been "good" kids). Hence, they don't feel the need for the savior Jesus Christ.
Is that why so many kids walk away from their Christian family faith? Did they truly believe in the first place?
Parenting shouldn't be about outward performance or obedience. It's about the heart condition. Even if your child already prayed the prayer or says he/she believes in Jesus, don't assume he/she is already a believer and act accordingly. We should assume they are not believers (or don't fully grasp the full meaning of salvation). We should seek to present the gospel (Jesus died for our sins and rose to life after three days) to our children in everyday living. I don't mean preaching about Jesus' story all the time.
I mean when they disobey, or lose temper, or fail to meet what's expected, use those opportunities to help them understand they are sinners just like us and need Jesus in their lives.
Obedience is not the ultimate goal. Accepting salvation is. (Of course, we still can't guarantee that. It all depends on God's mercy. But we still need to do our part as parents)
p.s. Kid's age is also important. For younger than 3 years old, teaching obedience is enough. I think kids older than 5 can understand the above concepts.
(From books: Give Them Grace, Shepherding A Child's Heart)
It may be easier for the first two groups of kids to see they are sinners (not perfect) and need a savior. But for the last group, they may become lost in terms of salvation. They may conform to all the religious practices and know all the bible stories. But when they are grown, they cannot see themselves as sinners (after all, they've always been "good" kids). Hence, they don't feel the need for the savior Jesus Christ.
Is that why so many kids walk away from their Christian family faith? Did they truly believe in the first place?
Parenting shouldn't be about outward performance or obedience. It's about the heart condition. Even if your child already prayed the prayer or says he/she believes in Jesus, don't assume he/she is already a believer and act accordingly. We should assume they are not believers (or don't fully grasp the full meaning of salvation). We should seek to present the gospel (Jesus died for our sins and rose to life after three days) to our children in everyday living. I don't mean preaching about Jesus' story all the time.
I mean when they disobey, or lose temper, or fail to meet what's expected, use those opportunities to help them understand they are sinners just like us and need Jesus in their lives.
Obedience is not the ultimate goal. Accepting salvation is. (Of course, we still can't guarantee that. It all depends on God's mercy. But we still need to do our part as parents)
p.s. Kid's age is also important. For younger than 3 years old, teaching obedience is enough. I think kids older than 5 can understand the above concepts.
(From books: Give Them Grace, Shepherding A Child's Heart)
Labels: Christian parenting, salvation
posted by Abby's Mom at
10:32 PM
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