Waldo is 19. He’s gone off to college and has come home for the holidays. It’s Sunday morning and his Mom comes in to wake him for Bible class. He rolls over and says, “I’ll be there for worship.” Mom wrings her hands and asks again but to no avail. The family saves Waldo a place for worship and Mom and Dad keep watching for him, but he is a no-show. They get home to find him talking with old high school friends. When they finally leave, Mom tells him she is very disappointed that he wasn’t at services. Waldo replies with, “Oh sorry, but my friends called and this morning was the only time they could get together.” Mom pauses and asks, “Are you going to church at school? Are you involved in the congregation there?” and Waldo answers, “When I can.” Mom is heartbroken and says, “But we raised you better than that; I raised you to be faithful”. Or did she?
We are going to spend the next couple of weeks on what I believe to be one of the most important aspects of loving our children: showing them how to be faithful. Teaching them by showing them how to put God first in their lives.
We know from Proverbs 22:6 that if we train up a child in the way he should go, when he’s old he won’t depart from it. I LOVE this scripture! It gives me a peace and hope as I raise my children. But you must ask yourself, “Am I training my children in the way they should go… according to God’s Word? Or am I training them to go in a worldly manner?” Have we let the world convince us of what our children “need” to be a part of or experience in their lives? I believe SO many parents in the church have fallen into that trap and don’t even realize it. Oh, I guess some do. Those are the parents that feel guilty and are defensive about the choices that they are making.
Jesus gives us the way to faithful children in Matthew 6:33. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” We must put God, His kingdom and His righteousness first in our lives. The reason that we put God first is because we love Him; we have a relationship with Him. Our children will see that relationship in our actions and in the priorities we set for ourselves and our family. They see that love in the way that we strive to be obedient. John 14:15 tells us, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” They will see a servant for the Lord’s kingdom, the church. They will see someone who is an active part of the congregation, not because they have to be, but because they love God’s people.
We don’t want to be like Waldo’s Mom and have our children gone from home before we realize the mistakes we have made. Young mothers with little children, decide right now to SHOW your children how to be faithful, how to put God first. Young women, decide before you even have children that God will be first in ALL things in your home.
Next time we will look at some practical ways from God’s Word to teach this to your children so that one day you aren’t looking at your grown child and saying, “I raised you to be faithful…..or did I?”
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Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!
I’m very much looking forward to your posts on this topic. As a mother of two young children, this is something I think about often – raising my children to faithful their entire lives. I’m deeply saddened and hurt when I see young people become unfaithful when they leave the home. I want to instill a true faith in my children!
What a great series this will be – I’m really looking forward to it!
A very great article! We have been married for 61 years and members of the church for over 60 years and it is sad that we have heard more preachers in the church of Christ, who do not believe that Proverbs 22:6 means what it says than the ones who do. Most want to explain it away, and that is very dangerous. If we tell kids they “can’t win a ballgame against that team” …they will not put forth as much effort to win.
Great topic! I NEED to hear what you have to say next. Thank you.