Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go
Posted March 25, 2010
Hi Mike,
Hope you and your family well and your friends. Almost everyday I come to your site, and love your site about the truth.
I left my church (Babylon) nearly five years ago. I was student pastor for the deaf. Now, I have no church, in my mind. I refuse to go anywhere to church, because I have seen with my own eyes God's words through your site. I told my wife about what I learned from you and also explained to her about hell and eternal never found in Hebrew and Greek words in the scriptures. She agrees with me what I said, but I don't think she sees all God's words as deep mystery like I have seen. But still she supports me (I'm lucky).
I wanted to share with my kids about God's words, and I did explain about basic God's words, but they are having a hard time understanding me. Three years ago my younger son, who is ten, wanted to go church, and he remembered I refused going to church anywhere. He wants a spiritual life. I did explain to him about God's words like flesh first, then spiritual. I tried to teach very basic scriptures like what you sow - good or bad - you will reap at the white throne judgment, etc., but still he had a hard time understanding me. He is very hungry to learn of spiritual life. She said that she can take him to a Christian church, and she remembered that I refused to go to church. I told her that she can take him to church.
Am I selfish? Sometimes I feel that way, but I have knowledge of God, and I cannot pretend in the church. I don't really want to return to Babylon again. After three years, my wife has not taken him to church. That is why I feel I'm selfish.
Last night, my mother in law asked me if it is okay for our sons go to church (Mormon) with a friend from school. I told her that is fine with me for him to go church with this friend because if I say "No" then what can I do for them? Probably nothing, and they would not understand God's words, only they can understand their itching ears as in the scriptures:2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Did I do wrong that I let him go to church? If you believe I did wrong to let them go, then let me know what can I do with my kids for not going to church or how to explain to them "why". If you have any suggestion, I will appreciate it.
Your brother in Christ,
B____
Hi B____,
Thank you for your question. I can appreciate what you are going through because I have had the same struggles.
As far as your children needing to go into Babylon is concerned, believe me when I tell you that they do not need to attend a church to "go into Babylon." We confront Babylon by simply being in this world, talking with our neighbors, reading books and papers, watching TV, etc. So please do not think that you must send your children to church so they can come out of Babylon. There is no great sin in allowing your children to attend church with their friends though, as long as you arm them with the truth first at home.
If you have a 10 year old son, you need to be having daily Bible readings with your children of all ages. That is what you need more than anything else. Give your children God's Truth, then give them to God and "when they are old they will not depart from that truth."
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Christ and His doctrine is that 'way'. Take time with all of your children, and make certain that they know that the Christ of scripture is not the monster of orthodoxy. I have often said that quality time is quantity time, so take time to read and explain God's Word with your children. Read the Bible systematically. It is a great investment in your children, but it should also be done on a daily basis with your wife. If you do this you will have nothing to worry about if your child goes to church with a friend or confronts the doctrines of Babylon in any situation.
After arming your children with the Truth, leave the rest to God, but take the time to "train up your children in the way they should go."
I hope this is of some edification to you. I admire and appreciate your stand for Christ.
Mike