Information Related to "Passing on Our Faith to Our Children"
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Passing on our faith to our children may seem daunting, yet each parent can be effective in ways no one else can. Each child has a special bond with his or her parents that was designed by God. Because of this special relationship, parents have a greater opportunity to teach and profoundly influence their children than anyone else. In recognition of this unique situation, God commissions parents with the task of training their children spiritually.
Every parent has the responsibility to teach his or her children about God—to regularly provide them biblical truth and not just take them to church services each week where someone else can teach them.
Consider what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: ". . . I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5, emphasis added throughout). Timothy's grandmother had this faith and was able to pass it on to her daughter, who then passed it on to Timothy. In this example, the faith of God was passed down through three generations.
All Christian parents undoubtedly have a desire to see their children live by the truths of the Bible, the very Word of God. Yet parents can sometimes worry that they might be pressuring their children into conformity, and may therefore shy away from necessary spiritual interactions. Others may be too preachy or appear overly spiritual. Both approaches can hinder a young person's response to God.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Sidebar: Are Your Children Called?
Sidebar: Overcome Obstacles to Instruction
Table of Contents that includes "Passing on Our Faith to Our Children"
Other Articles by Jim Servidio
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