LET THE CHILDREN BE AN EXAMPLE

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There is something going on in some churches that is disturbing. "What is it?" you ask. It is this: Some leaders in some of the churches are telling children to leave their parents behind because their parents don't believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ!

This should not be so! Children who come to believe upon Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord of their life should be applauded and encouraged to pray for their parents, and most of all, to continue to honor their parents.

Look at Ephesians 6:1-3: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Telling children to forsake their parents is wrong. Parents are a vital part of a child's life. Now if there is abuse going on, whether it be sexual, mental, or physical, then there should be intervention. This is for the authorities because it does concern the laws of the land. A child's safety is important. Just because parents don't believe doesn't mean children should leave their parents behind or ignore their parents. Misleading children can be dangerous for the church leaders. They have a responsibility to do right in Christ. Nowhere in the Word of God does it say for children to forsake their parents. In fact, many children have shown their parents Christ by the life they live in Jesus Christ.

Churches should be encouraging non-believing parents to get involved with their children's church activities, school, and daily life. Parents who are non-believers most often have been burnt by a church or some "religious" organization causing them to shy away from a commitment in Christ. They don't want to experience that hurt again. Well if a church tells a child to leave their parents behind, what kind of an example is that? Are not the parents hurt even more? They may even interpret it as punishment. The body of Christ isn't about a person's personal agenda, but about love peace, and the glory of Jesus Christ!

One great example of a child's witness, I heard on the radio. They used the testimony of a young girl named Erica. Erica is saved, but her parents are not. She shared how she continued to love and pray for her parents. She also continued to serve them, showing the example of Jesus Christ. God gave her the boldness, through the Holy Spirit, to ask her parents if they would accept Christ, to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Her dad shares that he did come to believe upon Christ Jesus, how he loves his daughter's boldness that she has for Jesus Christ. I love how Christ used this young girl to witness to her parents.

Parents have an influence in a child's life, but the child also has an influence in the parent's life. Parents desire to do what is best for their children. When a parent sees the positive impact Christ has on their child's life, how the youth ministry helps a child to grow in their understanding of God's Word and the parent-child relationship, they will want to know more about the change in their child's life. They may ask themselves "What is this my child has? Maybe I can have it too!"

Churches should teach children to:

  1. Honor and love their parents
  2. Pray for their parents and others every day
  3. Serve their parents in love
  4. Read and study the Word of God
  5. Continue to show that Christ is Lord of their lives
  6. Encourage parents to be part of their lives in church, school, and everyday activities

It isn't up to churches to tell children to separate themselves from unbelieving parents, but to be a living testimony of Christ's love and reconciliation.

I'm not saying all churches do this. In fact, I know of many that are really reaching out to parents who don't believe, and are inviting them to be part of their children's activities in the church. As I said, there are SOME that are hindering and misleading children. It needs to stop! Children are ambassadors of Christ too!

I encourage churches to have their youth and family ministries to get parents involved. Churches should encourage family prayer time, Bible reading, studying and discussions.

May the Lord bless and strengthen you!

Soli Deo Gloria
("To God alone be the glory")