Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Initiation of Children to the Faith
and Practices
Hebsee Maruthelil
Bethany MTC, NY
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the
Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire
of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who
do the will of God live forever.
Worldliness is primarily an attitude that is motivated by wrong desires and the wrongful promotion of self. The Bible says very clearly that we are not to love the world neither the things that are in the world. What does the Bible means when it talks about the worldliness.? And how can we initiate the love of Christ and faith and practice in our children?.
When you see a person who claims to know Jesus as their Savior, and yet their lifestyle resembles the world more than it resembles the lifestyle of a believer, then you have a reason to question whether of not that person has really had an experience with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first incentive John gives is that “if anyone loves the world, Love for the father is not in him” ( verse 15 b).
In other word the reason you shouldn't love the world is that you cant love the world and God at the same time.
As Jesus said “ No one can serve two masters for either he will hate that one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. ( Mathew 6:24).
Verse 16 comes the support and explanation of the first argument. The reason love for world denies our love for God is that “all that is in the world , the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father, but is of the world. “
So how would you initiate this faith and practice in to our children?
We know from research how important the early years are in a child's life and how much parents shape personality and well being at a young age. But as children become teenagers and adults, we feel like they slip away. Peers become more important and the world intrudes through social media.
So how can we lay the foundation of faith and forming them to practice Christian faith?
I say it starts from home. Of course having a good church education is important but the highest factor is how important your faith is as a family. How religiously you practice Christianity in your family?
The more the kids see the faith practice at home the more likely they will to act on their Christian faith as an adult.
Here are a few points which will initiate the faith practice in our children and their love towards Christ:
Worldliness is primarily an attitude that is motivated by wrong desires and the wrongful promotion of self. The Bible says very clearly that we are not to love the world neither the things that are in the world. What does the Bible means when it talks about the worldliness.? And how can we initiate the love of Christ and faith and practice in our children?.
When you see a person who claims to know Jesus as their Savior, and yet their lifestyle resembles the world more than it resembles the lifestyle of a believer, then you have a reason to question whether of not that person has really had an experience with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first incentive John gives is that “if anyone loves the world, Love for the father is not in him” ( verse 15 b).
In other word the reason you shouldn't love the world is that you cant love the world and God at the same time.
As Jesus said “ No one can serve two masters for either he will hate that one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. ( Mathew 6:24).
Verse 16 comes the support and explanation of the first argument. The reason love for world denies our love for God is that “all that is in the world , the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father, but is of the world. “
So how would you initiate this faith and practice in to our children?
We know from research how important the early years are in a child's life and how much parents shape personality and well being at a young age. But as children become teenagers and adults, we feel like they slip away. Peers become more important and the world intrudes through social media.
So how can we lay the foundation of faith and forming them to practice Christian faith?
I say it starts from home. Of course having a good church education is important but the highest factor is how important your faith is as a family. How religiously you practice Christianity in your family?
The more the kids see the faith practice at home the more likely they will to act on their Christian faith as an adult.
Here are a few points which will initiate the faith practice in our children and their love towards Christ:
- As a family, have regular faith conversations with your
children. Kids who will talk daily with their family members about faith
will definitely be encouraged to be involved in the church as an adult.
- Sharing regular rituals of faith. Teaching kids the
importance of “needs” of life verses “wants” of life.
- Having devotional practice. The truth is kids do what we
do and not what we say, so if we give examples of living the
life of Christ rather then the worldly pleasure, they will also shape
their life in this manner.
- We need to encourage children to regularly participate in
service to others which will enable them to love as Christ. As a family
and as a church we should be an example to make a difference in our
children's life and encourage them to practice true Christian faith.
We as an individual, as a family and as a church must teach children to place God first in our life. That should be our chief priority.
How do we love God? By keeping his commandments!
PRAYER
Lord give us Your Holy
Spirit to live in us and strengthen us so we can remain steadfast. Teach us to
seek you at all times, with all our heart. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
God never fails to keep his promise! “He that does the will of God abides forever”
God never fails to keep his promise! “He that does the will of God abides forever”