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Why Is My Child Not A Faithful Christian? Introduction:
The above question has been asked a number of times. I have known parents to
lament the spiritual condition of their children and the children of other
parents in the congregation. In my years of preaching I have preached at
numerous congregations, some as the fulltime preacher and some for just one
lesson. I have tried to pay attention to the young people, the children, and
teenagers of those congregations. Generally young people at a congregation will
fit into one of 4 categories; 1) Interested in the Gospel, 2) Indifferent and
never planning on obeying the Gospel, 3) Have obeyed the Gospel but are still
indifferent, 4) never obeyed the Gospel and totally worldly. Question:
Why do we have some young people that will either never obey the Gospel or an
indifferent or unfaithful? I)
They have a free will have chosen not to be obedient to God A)
God created man with a free will. 1.
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden had the power to choose for themselves, Genesis
3.6. 2.
Was it God’s fault they disobeyed Him? B)
Other people in the Bible that exercised their free will to sin 1.
Cain chose to disobey God, Genesis
4.6-8 2.
The Prodigal Son in Luke
15.11 -31, 21 3.
Judas chose to betray Jesus and deliver Him into the hands of His enemies, Matthew
26.14-16 C)
Parents can not make a child care or want to obey God 1.
Each person will answer for their owns sins, Ezekiel
18.19-20 2.
Some people are worldly, too interested in other things, too busy, not truly
convicted, Luke
8.11-15.
a. Just as there are different kinds of soils, there are different kinds
of souls.
b. We, you, may have a child whose soul is not receptive to the
Gospel. II)
They were taught the wrong things as a child, Proverbs
22.6 A)
Some parents decide not to teach or instruct their children, Judges
2.10 1.
Do not teach their children to obey authority, Judges
21.25 2.
They want their children to figure things out for themselves. B)
Some taught their children to put the things of the world ahead of God 1.
They taught their children that work, school, friends, sports, and everything
else came before God, Luke
9.57-62. 2.
In this situation, God will always come in last. III)
Some Parents Were Naïve A)
Some parents do not understand what their children can understand, 1
Samuel 2.18-19 1.
Bible classes are not glorified babysitting services. 2.
They can learn the books of the Bible at an early age. 3.
I have had parents that were not members send their children because they wanted
their children in our Bible classes. B)
Some parents do not understand about modesty and sexual attraction 1.
Children can be taught to be immodest, Proverbs
22.6 2.
Young boys and girls need to be taught to wear proper clothes, 1 Timothy 2.8-10 C)
About sin and our children’s condition before God, Ezekiel
18.20 1.
A child is responsible for their actions, Proverbs
20.11 2.
As parents we are to train and bring up our children to maturity. 3.
Your child will be lost when they sin just like everybody else’s child. IV)
Parents unfaithfulness and inconsistent A)
Despite all of the influences the parents still have the greatest influence on
their children 1.
Are we providing a godly home and example for our children? 2 Timothy 1.5. 2.
How is your attendance? Hebrews
10.25 3.
What is your attitude? (Illustration: hair cutting) 4.
What we say vs. what we do Conclusion:
The short answer may be: they were not taught to be faithful Christians. As
parents our job is to teach, live, and provide the right example for our
children. God has children but no grandchildren. Our children will decide for
themselves if they will serve God but we can help with that decision. –Dennis
Tucker |