Teaching My Children about God

There are people in the world that say that it is damaging to teach children about God, Christianity, Jesus, and living a life centered on God's standards laid out in the bible. I would never argue against their right to have their opinion. However, my wife and I hold a different view. We actively teach our children about God, about the bible, and what we know to be true about living life for Jesus. However, we are not brainwashing our children in any sense of the word. In fact, I want them to know what else is out there and why people have differing beliefs. I want them to know that they need to make their own choices and do their own research. By no stretch of the imagination am I expecting them to take everything I say without questioning or challenging those beliefs. I questioned. I would expect them to do the same. However, I teach them what I believe for the same reason that I teach them to look both ways before crossing a street. I've seen what can happen when children carelessly cross a street without looking for oncoming traffic. I want them to avoid the repercussions. I want them to have a better life than I did. I don't want them to want to be like me. I want them to want to be better than me.

I grew up Catholic and left the church shortly before my confirmation was scheduled. I searched lots of alternatives during those four years. I tried new age religions, I tried sex, I tried alcohol/drugs, I looked into other religions, I read books, I had in depth discussions with my friends, and I searched high and low. Through all of those searches, I continued to feel empty. There was something missing. I now recognize that "something missing" as a relationship with my creator. But, at the time, I just knew something wasn't right. I wasn't firing on all cylinders. 

In 1990, I was stunned by the conversion of my step-brother who was on the same search that I was. In a matter of a couple of weeks, he went from a college age person looking into the sex/drugs/rock and roll culture for answers, to a bible believing born-again Christian. His transformation was instant and unmistakeable. I was mesmerized. He invited me to church. I went. I got a bible and actually read it. I found that many of the answers I was looking for were addressed in its pages. I even found answers about some of the paths I had been searching that were not the right way. It was amazing how the bible spoke to my soul. It called to the missing piece in my heart. After a few months of grappling with this thing called Christianity, I gave my heart to Jesus and asked him to be my savior. It was the best decision I ever made. Not only did my cylinders all start firing, but I found a reason for why the cylinders existed in the first place.

Now, don't get me wrong, the world is a hard place to leave behind. Especially when you were steeped in it for so many years. I made lots of mistakes...even after becoming a Christian. I veered off the path from time to time. I did some stupid things. Things I am ashamed of. Things that I know God did not look favorably upon. But, thankfully, God always steered me back to what was right. He always re-ignited the flame that I tried so hard to douse with stupid decisions. I have been a Christian for 21 years now (as of February 18th, 2011). What I know to be true is that the more I follow the guidelines that God laid out for me in the bible and do things His way, the better life gets. My heart finds peace more easily. I am finally complete. I have direction. I know why I am here. I know what I am supposed to do. I have vision. I have a purpose filled life.

Bad things still happen. Our vacuum bites the dust and we need to get a new one. I get rear-ended while driving. Loved ones die and get sick. Life still hurts from time to time. But, I don't have to be stuck there. I know why life sometimes sucks. It's in the bible. I know why people die. I know why bad things sometimes happen to good people. I know why earthquakes and tsunamis occur. We live in a fallen world. But, this isn't the end of the story. This isn't where we will be left forever. Believing God means knowing that there is something better just around the corner. This world is not my home. I can handle life's challenges because I have hope for tomorrow. God doesn't change the circumstances of life, but know that God is there for me changes my reaction to life's circumstances. My wife, my kids, my job does not define me or complete me. God does. I can live through this life because I know the whole story. I don't see "through a glass darkly". I can see clearly now. The rain really is gone.

This is why I teach my boys about God. Because I know it to be right. I've done the research. I've been bruised and battered by the alternatives. I love my boys and I want them to know what is right. I wouldn't give them the keys to the car until after I had thoroughly gone over all of the rules, regulations, and consequences of driving. Why would teaching them about God be any different? At some point, they will leave me. They will make their own decisions. They may even question and challenge the beliefs that my wife and I hold. I'm okay with that. Questions and challenges make for a better and deeper understanding. What I hope they get from me and Joi is what life can look like when you are following God's standards.

Tonight, I am leading our weekly family devotion. I will talk to them about everything I stated above. I want them to know that despite what Joi and I say, it will ultimately be their decision to walk with God or walk away from God. I want them to know that they are allowed to question. They are allowed to search and challenge. But, I want them to know that there is a God who loves them dearly. I want them to know that the more they adhere to God's standards, the better life will be. I know....I've been there.