I know some may not like what I am about to say but it must be said. As a pastor I have a heart for people, my desire is simple, that they come to know Christ and live for Him. I mean really live – not this shallow, empty, Sunday Morning lifestyle but that they put on Christ and live by imitating Him (cf Eph. 5:1ff). This translates into my family life. I want my children to grow up in love with Christ. I don’t want them to grow up in love with a group of people at a building. Before you jump to conclusions hear me – if they are in love with Christ, they will have a true relationship with the church not one where they show up and put on an act, but a true love for the bride of Christ. I want them to grow up to become authentic, transparent Christ followers.
Recently I had an individual tell my wife “Your children are not learning verses like they should”. To this individual they define success by the amount of verses you can spout. Unfortunately in my life I have met many who care nothing about Christ and can quote the Bible better than most Christians. (By the way – Satan falls into the category as evidenced in the temptation of Christ and in the book of James. (James 2:19, Luke 4) I guess my argument for raising Christian children comes down to a simple truth – we must live by example and teach them Gods word. The amount of scripture they learn will only matter if they put it away in their heart, learn to understand it, and then live by it.
Scripture memorization is important, don’t get me wrong, but it needs to be done in a proper context. Cramming 100 verses down a kids throat and never spending time helping them understand it and marinate in it is pointless. I know kids who are skilled at the books of the Bible and verse memorization and they are living like the world. They could care less about Christ – He has become fire insurance not the one of pulled them from the mire and saved them. Scripture memorization must come with teaching so they understand it as well. How about you, how many verses could you say right now? Does that make you less of a Christian? Memorize but marinate and hide it in your heart as well. Set realistic goals and memorize, don’t do it just for bragging rights!
Want to raise Christian children? Act like a Christian and model Christ. Study the word. Pray for them. Worship with them, not just at church but also at home. Teach them scripture and explain it to them. If you do not understand it, seek counsel before you tell them what you think – lets stop raising uneducated, non-critical thinking Christians, dig deep yourself and then pour into your children. Love you kids and your spouse like Christ loves the church. Discipline out of love, but discipline your children. Pray with them and over them. You must learn and memorize scripture – model the life for them – inspire them by what they see. This world needs Christ, so it needs Christians being the body of Christ and raising children who can do more than repeat a verse, they need to live it!
I’m very proud to have you as my brother and feel very lucky that my daughter has you as an uncle to set the example that I sometimes fail to do. Thank you.
Comment by Amy Schneider — November 26, 2008 @ 10:12 am