Monday, March 3, 2014

EDUCATION: A Parent's Role

A parent's role in their child's faith formation is really very simple but sometimes they just don't realize how simple it is and at some point it needs to be said out loud (or put it in the newsletter):

Dear Parents,

Please understand that you are the primary role model for your children's faith and Christian education. They are learning by the choices you make and the priorities you set far more than the words that you say. Do you go to church?  Do you attend Bible study? Do you pray? Do you read the Bible? Do you regularly choose social or sporting events over church?

  • If you want your children to value Bible study they have to see that you do. Let them know you read the Bible and have a prayer life of your own. Don't just drop them off at Sunday school and go for donuts.
  • Your faith life needs to exist outside of the faith life of your children. If it's valuable to you it will be valuable to them.
  • Your children learn more than you think by attending what you may think is a stuffy, old, boring church service. Even things that aren't "entertaining" can be meaningful. 
  • You children learn how to be a part of the church community by watching you interact and serve as a part of the community.
  • Talk about the faith history of your family and your personal faith history with your children so they have an understanding of what it means beyond themselves. Tell them what you believe, why you believe it, and how you see God working in your life.

Remember that the phrase "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" came from somewhere! Want them to really get it? Live it!

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