church and children

[Guest rabrown1]

This morning was as typical as usual. It started at 5am. My wife dug up a topic which has been a long lasting point for me to consider; Bringing my children to church. First and foremost I am a believer in GOD, Christ and the Holy Spirit. I believe that GOD sent his son into the world that through his death, burial, and resurrection, we may be saved. I have always believed this and practiced this. I teach my children the same and we study the Holy Bible together. More to the point is my spouse insists that I bring my children to church (Baptist). I grew up attending a Holiness Church (C.O.G.I.C.) Later in life, I attended a Pentecostal Church. The view points and doctrine of each differed to the extreme, thus confusing me to a point. I have no problem with the Baptist denomination as it is not very different from other Pentecostal denominations. The Problem I have is trust. I've been around the world and I have seen many things and what sticks out the most is how organized religion has compromised. The traditional beliefs and values are spoken of, but money seems to be the main driving force. GOD said through the Holy Scriptures that this would happen. I don't believe that all men are after money. I believe that there are sincere men who are used by GOD and they are few in number. What I can't do is church hop until I find one. The soul of a child or anyone for that matter is precious and if not led correctly, could be led astray. I can't see myself joining any organization for the sake of saying I attended Sunday service. I don't want my little ones confused. Each (4) can read and I would prefer to let them read and learn with me and as they grow older, choose a church home for themselves. Is this wrong? There will come a time in the last days that man will have an itching ear, seeking to hear anything and accepting anything, truthful or not. GOD said he would put his word in our hearts and open our minds so that whoever reads will have understanding.

[Ovedya]

Well first of all don't make the mistake in assuming that a church will raise your kids in the admonition of the Lord. That is your first and foremost responsibility. So I think that you can easilly take care of the problem of confusion by simply teaching them the truth about the church, and what it really is.

Kids don't have as many hangups as adults do about going to certain churches. They're looking for friends and fun things to do. Your primary goal in finding a church is to have a place where your kids can grow up in the fellowship of the saints. Church hopping is not anymore healthy to a child than picking up and moving your entire family several times in one year. The young people all have to develop intimate friendships within the church in order for them to be kept from the world. So you need a place that you feel comfortable fellowshipping yourself and stay there. Don't jump to another church because of some offense or problem with another person, or for any other reason that the Lord admonishes us to struggle together for. Know what I mean?

On the other hand, experience tells us that if you wait for children to make up their minds it is most likely that they won't. If you give them the choice of going to church and staying home with their friends, they will stay at home every time. As a Christian parent it is up to you to cultivate a culture of meeting with the saints. When your kids ask you why you have to go to church every Lord's Day you tell them, "We are believers. This is what we do." All Christian families should cultivate a "church life" culture in their homes. Christ should be the center of your home and family, but the church life - that is your life in fellowship with the saints in your local church - should be the sphere in which you operate.

Living a life in the church - living the church life - is so much different than being a Sunday Christian. Sunday Christians "go to church because it's the right thing to do." Church life believers "gather together on the Lord's Day to fellowship with the saints for the mutual building up of the Body of Christ." It's not just terminology, it's a way of living. Developing a culture of the church life is absolutely essential in every home, and ultimately it preserves our young people in the ages to come.

[Leonard]

Would you also leave it to the children to decide on their own to get a shot gun? Or to play in the street? Of course not. As an adult, you have the obligationt o guide your children aright. The decision of 'which church' is far too important to be left to children.

I would VERY CLOSELY consult my wife on this; women are usually much more insightful on these things than are men. So give her views on which church to attend, a good hearing.

[RustyAngeL]

Churches and Sunday School are not there to raise your kids. That is your job. However taking your children to Sunday School and church from the time they are very young is a very good idea. If more kids were brought to church and Sunday School we wouldn't have the problems with them that we do. However it's important that you as parents go too. My parents did. I don't have kids but if I did they would be brought to church.

Edited January 22, 2005 by Rustyangel

[paperflowers]

This morning was as typical as usual.  It started at 5am.  My wife dug up a topic which has been a long lasting point for me to consider; Bringing my children to church.  First and foremost I am a believer in GOD, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  I  believe that GOD sent his son into the world that through his death, burial, and resurrection, we may be saved.  I have always believed this and practiced this.  I teach my children the same and we study the Holy Bible together.  More to the point is my spouse insists that I bring my children to church (Baptist).  I grew up attending a Holiness Church (C.O.G.I.C.)  Later in life, I attended a Pentecostal Church.  The view points and doctrine of each differed to the extreme, thus confusing me to a point.  I have no problem with the Baptist denomination as it is not very different from other Pentecostal denominations.  The Problem I have is trust.  I've been around the world and I have seen many things and what sticks out the most is how organized religion has compromised.  The traditional beliefs and values are spoken of, but money seems to be the main driving force.  GOD said through the Holy Scriptures that this would happen.  I don't believe that all men are after money.  I believe that there are sincere men who are used by GOD and they are few in number.  What I can't do is church hop until I find one.  The soul of a child or anyone for that matter is precious and if not led correctly, could be led astray.  I can't see myself joining any organization for the sake of saying I attended Sunday service.  I don't want my little ones confused.  Each (4) can read and I would prefer to let them read and learn with me and as they grow older, choose a church home for themselves.  Is this wrong?  There will come a time in the last days that man will have an itching ear, seeking to hear anything and accepting anything, truthful or not.  GOD said he would put his word in our hearts and open our minds so that whoever reads will have understanding.

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[paperflowers]

All great advice...just don't get into a church that is SO LARGE THAT NO ONE NOTICES WHETHER YOU ARE THERE OR NOT. I know first hand how this feels. I started out in a nice congregation of 300 plus and now we have four services. No one calls to see why I wasn't there. When I see them in public I am lucky if they speak. I call most by name and scare them to death. I am great with names and faces and forget few. They ask where do I know them from. I have sat in bible studies and attended women conferences and learned some of the most important and personal details of their lives and they don't recall my face. Please be leary of the size until you know that you and your family can handle this distant way of the world. When you find the church of your choice involve your kids in activities so that they get to know other Christian children and learn how to act. Not all kids in the church are brought up correctly but it is a lot closer than kids they get involved with out in the world. Know what I mean? Involve your wife especially because she is your other half and without her you would not have the kids to begin with. Stay together as a family and pray over your life daily.