Role Model of a Christian Parent

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
G

Goodness11

Guest
#1
#1
Speaking on behalf of parents that are converts and not raised in a Christian house-hold; I'm sure myself and others would benefit greatly from lovely ideas to have God present within the home. We have three young beautiful souls, and my prayer is for them to be raised to know and trust God. Build a legacy!

Primarily scripture of Jesus; and role-playing different stories from the Bible have been some of our fun times! Prayers at dinner and intimate prayers at night. I would love and enjoy hearing from others what you have done to encourage Christ...so my question of dialogue is:

What inspiring ideas have worked for you within your home to keep the warmth of Christ ever beaming in your children? :)

Much love to all and many blessings Xoo
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#2
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,943
113
#2
Don't be too legalistic with your kids. My husband was just so narrow about faith, and it was extremely hard on our children. My daughter just recounted to me how embarassing it was to sit in the hallway while the other kids made Hallowe'en decorations in grade 1. He never explained, he just demanded. Ironically, he was the one who started passing out candy about 15 years ago, and I boycotted it! It took me a while to see that it really was harmless - just kids playing dress up to get candy.

My husband really regrets that he did that, and is more led by the Spirit now. Don't put God in a box. Show them how God leads and guides, not rules and regulations about things that are not even in the Bible.
 
G

Goodness11

Guest
#3
#3
Angela53510 said:
Don't be too legalistic with your kids. My husband was just so narrow about faith, and it was extremely hard on our children. My daughter just recounted to me how embarassing it was to sit in the hallway while the other kids made Hallowe'en decorations in grade 1. He never explained, he just demanded. Ironically, he was the one who started passing out candy about 15 years ago, and I boycotted it! It took me a while to see that it really was harmless - just kids playing dress up to get candy.

My husband really regrets that he did that, and is more led by the Spirit now. Don't put God in a box. Show them how God leads and guides, not rules and regulations about things that are not even in the Bible.
Click to expand...
Those are lovely and wise thoughts! So I'm curious what suggestions might you have regarding doing Christian based things together as a family? Maybe traditions, music, events or books? Maybe creative ideas on how to confirm your child's Holy Spirit? What's worked for you? :)
 
PoetMary

PoetMary

Banned
#4
Nov 25, 2014
942
44
0
#4
I don't have children, but I was raised in a Christian home. The best way to encourage Christ to your children is to be your authentic self. In other words, don't try to be some "perfect Christian parent" who has all the right answers and behaviors. Make your relationship with Jesus transparent. Make your faults transparent.

The best thing my parents did was they lived Christ. They gave to the poor, they cared for others, they prayed continually for years about various people/issues, and they were loving and tolerant to their children. If your children see you are flawed and that you need a Savior, they are far more likely to admit that they too are flawed and need a Savior.

Goodness11 said:
Speaking on behalf of parents that are converts and not raised in a Christian house-hold; I'm sure myself and others would benefit greatly from lovely ideas to have God present within the home. We have three young beautiful souls, and my prayer is for them to be raised to know and trust God. Build a legacy!

Primarily scripture of Jesus; and role-playing different stories from the Bible have been some of our fun times! Prayers at dinner and intimate prayers at night. I would love and enjoy hearing from others what you have done to encourage Christ...so my question of dialogue is:

What inspiring ideas have worked for you within your home to keep the warmth of Christ ever beaming in your children? :)

Much love to all and many blessings Xoo
Click to expand...


 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#5
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,943
113
#5
Goodness11 said:
Those are lovely and wise thoughts! So I'm curious what suggestions might you have regarding doing Christian based things together as a family? Maybe traditions, music, events or books? Maybe creative ideas on how to confirm your child's Holy Spirit? What's worked for you? :)
Click to expand...

Well, my youngest is now 27, and my oldest is 40! So that is going to take a lot of thinking and remembering!

I know we read Bible stories to our kids every night. But we made it fun, and talked about it. We used books with lots of pictures, but also scripturally true. We prayed with them, we hugged them, we loved them.

We also let them set the pace for a lot of things. We tried to do activities and things they were interested in doing. Since that was mostly sports, we got involved in hockey and figure skating. We used the time driving to games/practices/tournaments/competitions, to share our hearts and lives with the kids. We talked about how important Jesus was in our lives.

One memory I fondly remember, was finding a recipe for pumpkin cookies in a magazine. The cookies could be decorated like jack-o-lanterns with candies and icing. Friends turned up, and it became a full kitchen/living room activity. The reason I remember this, is my daughter just made the recipe on the weekend, and all her friends wanted the recipe. So even though this happened when she was tiny, the memory lives on.

It's about being close, and open and loving. And accepting, while providing strong limits and boundaries. We did spank our kids, but not too often. I think it resulted in some great adults!

And now - praying for and helping the 4 grandchildren to know Christ. So being a grandparent just continues what we did so many years ago when our children were young.
 
G

Goodness11

Guest
#6
#6
PoetMary said:
I don't have children, but I was raised in a Christian home. The best way to encourage Christ to your children is to be your authentic self. In other words, don't try to be some "perfect Christian parent" who has all the right answers and behaviors. Make your relationship with Jesus transparent. Make your faults transparent.

The best thing my parents did was they lived Christ. They gave to the poor, they cared for others, they prayed continually for years about various people/issues, and they were loving and tolerant to their children. If your children see you are flawed and that you need a Savior, they are far more likely to admit that they too are flawed and need a Savior.

Thank-you for your inspiring words, they really resonated with me! More about the gracious actions and words, than the image. <3
Click to expand...
 
G

Goodness11

Guest
#7
#7
Angela53510 said:
Well, my youngest is now 27, and my oldest is 40! So that is going to take a lot of thinking and remembering!

I know we read Bible stories to our kids every night. But we made it fun, and talked about it. We used books with lots of pictures, but also scripturally true. We prayed with them, we hugged them, we loved them.

We also let them set the pace for a lot of things. We tried to do activities and things they were interested in doing. Since that was mostly sports, we got involved in hockey and figure skating. We used the time driving to games/practices/tournaments/competitions, to share our hearts and lives with the kids. We talked about how important Jesus was in our lives.

One memory I fondly remember, was finding a recipe for pumpkin cookies in a magazine. The cookies could be decorated like jack-o-lanterns with candies and icing. Friends turned up, and it became a full kitchen/living room activity. The reason I remember this, is my daughter just made the recipe on the weekend, and all her friends wanted the recipe. So even though this happened when she was tiny, the memory lives on.

It's about being close, and open and loving. And accepting, while providing strong limits and boundaries. We did spank our kids, but not too often. I think it resulted in some great adults!

And now - praying for and helping the 4 grandchildren to know Christ. So being a grandparent just continues what we did so many years ago when our children were young.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a very loving environment!! Obviously quality time is very important especially in our fast paced world...I really loved the idea of baking together; maybe a weekly thing so we can form those memories! Currently we do read Bible stories at night; our oldest daughter who's six snuggles with her twin brothers that are three, it's the most delicate touching scene!!

Wow!! Four grandchildren!!! What a blessing, I am sure all the trials of mother-hood are a flicker; and like the spectacular mystery of lightning bugs, grandchildren must just be an awe to watch!! <3 Many blessings to you & your growing family!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.