My daughter knows some people her age who have walked away from the faith, from the Lord, who were raised in Christian homes, even some who were homeschooled. She was afraid for her son, for it seemed that being raised a Christian or being homeschooled was no guarantee that a child would come to true repentance as an adult.
I was reminded of Rom 10:16-17:
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Read aloud, speak, preach the word of the Lord to your children daily. Forsake not one jot or tittle of it. Even Leviticus. (Maybe especially Leviticus in light of Gal 3:23-25.) Then live that word in your homes. Live love, grace, forgiveness, humility, and worship. Live holiness. Forsake wrath, embrace patience, kindness, and self-control. Do not be a hearer of the word only, but also a doer.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luk 12:32
I think as a Christian homeschooler we have to be very diligent to make sure that we are constantly speaking the word to our children. Thanks for this reminder.
Spunky
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.blogspot.com/
Here is a post on this very subject from a little known blog.
Thank you for this wonderful post.
Have you ever heard that children rebel against hypocrisy, especially in their parents? I am not sure if this is true. But it is worth thinking about.
p.s. I love your book, All thru the Ages. It's wonderful!Edited by Donnabooshay on Friday, June 17 at 7:25 PM
This verse has given me a lot of comfort and direction over the years. Delight in your children, woo them to Christ. Let your joy in the Lord draw them in. I agree with everything Chris wrote in her original post, but sometimes I need a simple concept to keep myself from getting confused. Yes, teenage rebellion is often a response to hypocrisy, but some other causes include an angry critical parent and too much time with foolish peers. Slow down and really BE with your kids and focus more on your walk with the Lord than their walk with Him. If He is real to you, and they like and respect you, He will be real to them.