The Apostle Paul says that God is seen in the environment, the climate, in which we Christians create and live in: "For in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28 NIV). For a young person, the family interprets that truth by their actions. In the family all the members, but especially the children, live and move and have their being. Therefore, parents are responsible to create a climate in which the things of God are demonstrated as well as taught verbally. Children don't do what we say but what they see us do.
I often say that teaching, by a parent shouldn't take the form of preaching or standing up and lecturing in front of someone. It is better if it involves a speaker and a hearer with interaction. The family is like a laboratory. It's the place where these messages are put to work.
In families, don't just talk about love; actually love. Don't just talk about forgiveness; forgive. If children don't just hear about authority; but they live under justice and mercy, strength and protection, it will impact them even more. Our characters and our actions create a climate that helps young people grow up healthy, secure, and open to God. In my opinion, the primary role of the family is to develop an atmosphere of Godliness that is not stuffy or oppressive, sightless or indulgent, but that captures the very essence of what it means to live in our heavenly Father's world.
Christian parents have the responsibility of presenting a model that young people can love, accept and follow. Then when the children hear that God is a heavenly Parent, they will be willing, desirous, and even eager to receive Him - His presence and His guidance - into their lives.
It is a great idea to have family time at the end of each week, possibly on Sunday night before bedtime. Ask your children what went right during the week, where they may have seen the hand of God or his special blessings in their lives or their friends lives. Also ask them what went wrong during the week and what they could pray about and correct so that their friends might see the mighty hand of God. Suggest you all pray for those things and ask for God's help in the upcoming week. Ask them, which of their friends needs prayer and pray with them for their friends. Ask them what they need you to pray for for the upcoming week for them that may be a burden or worry on their heart.
Suggest they keep a prayer journal of the things you pray for and the results so that they can see how God handled their situations. This way they will be open to praying more often and suggesting their friends pray as God reveals his mercy grace and love in the handling of their needs. Actually, we all should do that and we will have many things to be thankful for as we are reminded how God personally loves and cares for us.
These are the things that stick in our minds and encourage us and others each time we are reminded of his miracles and his answers to prayer.
I was in a conversation the other day with a lifelong catholic. He was sure he didn't need to tithe to his church and could just do good things for others. He hadn't taken the time to read the bible and see what it has to say, which is God's instruction manuel for leading a happier and healthier life. There in the bible, we are not ordered to do things to please God but guided to making choices that will benefit ourselves in the short run and long run.
I pointed out how God knew the church was important to the teaching of his children so they could be their best and survive safely. I also pointed out how the church needed to be supported so they can provide for their Pastor and staff and some churches even provide a daycare for the children which must have paid trained professionals to guide and teach their children, as well as supplies to run the daycare center or Sunday school rooms for Adults and children.
Also the church has needs like electricity, for lighting and air conditioning, rent or mortgage, landscaping, Maintenance (cleaning of the church and it's bathrooms and kitchen), supplies such as toilet paper and food supplied for the membership from time to time. All of these things have to be provided so the members can benefit from them. If we didn't have a place to go to Church to learn more about God and his word and the miracles that others have experienced, I asked, how would we grow in the knowledge of God?
The Church is like a second family (or first for some) that we can depend on. He said the church was not a building but the people. I said they each needed to do their part in order that the body of God and his children flourished.
We are taught in the word of God that we can help others with our gifts and talents as an offering above and beyond our tithe to the church.
