The Unbelieving Child

Living in El Paso, close to a military base, we frequently have families who come to our worship services.  We welcome them and always pray for their safety.

Since I teach my ladies bible class, I am particularly overjoyed when any of the military wives visits my class.  This particular morning, we were joined by a young wife who didn’t appear to be old enough to have a grown son.  She shared her story with me and it touched my heart, how she came to faith while coming from a family of atheists.

She alone of her kin is the only believer.  She married young, had a child, who is now 22 years old and is also in the Army.  He lived with his grandparents during many of his formative years, and continues to share their belief system. Or should I say their unbelief.

I am only telling this to underscore the importance of parents and grandparents in the lives of their children.  Does this guarantee belief in the lives of children?  We know the answer.  But, as with this young mother, she alone saw something missing from her life.

So what about our unbelieving children?  Do we bribe them, ostracize them, and sever ties with them?  Of course not!! However, you are not responsible for their faith.

If you raised them with a Biblical world view and they refuse to follow your guidance then they. alone,  must bear the weight of their own decisions.

Think Prodigal Son……think Loving Father.

“Train up the child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6)  Notice the last part.   This verse doesn’t say what happens in between!!!