Our ladies Bible study recently had a brunch where this was the topic discussed. Also, our mom's group at church recently came to our place for their weekly gathering, and we held the same topic of discussion. God has been impressing on my heart lately to really help other moms be purposeful about how to do this. This will be the first of 4 posts on this subject, as we will discuss these 4 things:
1) Be Accurate
2) Be Purposeful
3) Be Prayerful
4) Be Obedient
Today I will share about being acurate in what we teach our children. The goal here is to avoid false conversions in the lives of our children. Many of these thoughts came from Ray Comfort's book "How To Bring Your Children To Christ & Keep Them There" -- a book I cannot recommend enough!!
1. Do not grasp at false ideas to make yourself feel better about your child’s salvation.
2. Make sure your children understand sin and repentance.
• Teach them the 10 commandments.
• Teach them the necessity of repentance – turning FROM sin TO the Savior.
• Matt. 3:2, 4:17 “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” -- Both John the Baptist & Jesus' first words in their preaching was "repent".
• Repentance is not an optional part of salvation.
Luke 13:3 “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Acts 17:30 God himself “commands all men everywhere to repent.”
3. Eternal life does not come from saying a prayer, or making a decision, but from “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
• From pg 129 of Comfort's book, "As long as there are no complications when a child is born, all the doctor needs to do is guide the head. The same applies spiritually. When someone is "born of God," all we need to do is guide the head -- make sure that the person understands what he is doing."
4. Genuine salvation is a work of God.
• “We can have as much a part in the spiritual birth of our children as we have in the planting of a tree. We can prepare the soil & water the seed, but it will grow only if God sees fit to cause it to do so. All we can do is make ready the soil of the child’s heart, plant the pure seed of the Word of God, keep away harmful influences, and faithfully water it with believing prayer” (Ray Comfort).
• Just like David took personal responsibility for his sin, our children must do the same. Rather than lead them in a prayer, have them pray themselves. Words aren’t as important as godly sorrow.
a. 2 Cor. 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
b. I have had my children go to their room & spend some time b/t them and God after a needed discussion on repentance. Let it be between them and God.
• When your children make a profession where it appears that they have come to repentance & faith, then talk to them about the tests of assurance of salvation given in 1 John. Talk about the fact that there will be a new relationship with sin & fruit will be evident in their lives.
a. We are called to “Work out our salvation with fear & trembling.” We are also called to “make our calling and election sure.” It is not something we take lightly, or can proclaim for someone else. Working it out is their job for them, and your job for you. Don’t base your assurance on an experience you had… make sure your life lines up with Scripture, and encourage your children to do the same.
