Testimony from parents whose kids finally decided to start going to church?

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cyph2cor517

Member
#1
Dec 27, 2019
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#1
The bible tells us to comfort one another with the same comfort the holy spirit gives us. So I was simply seeking comfort and this seemed the best way to go about it.

My daughter is from my first marriage. She's 13, and though I think church is a necessity, her mom doesn't think so, and there's some tension when it comes to putting forth my desire for my daughter to go to church.
I try to persuade my daughter the best way I can (citing scripture and reasoning from it), because as my arrangement with my wife goes, I can't make her go to church.

I just thought there might be some parents out there that had prayed, and had God work in their kids lives such that the kids decided to start going to church.

Thankfully, my daughter does sometimes attend youth group, and she's not completely cut me off from sharing scripture with her or having bible themed discussions. I just want her to be in church with me on Sunday.
 
1christian1

1christian1

Banned
#2
Sep 13, 2018
2,587
885
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#2
cyph2cor517 said:
The bible tells us to comfort one another with the same comfort the holy spirit gives us. So I was simply seeking comfort and this seemed the best way to go about it.

My daughter is from my first marriage. She's 13, and though I think church is a necessity, her mom doesn't think so, and there's some tension when it comes to putting forth my desire for my daughter to go to church.
I try to persuade my daughter the best way I can (citing scripture and reasoning from it), because as my arrangement with my wife goes, I can't make her go to church.

I just thought there might be some parents out there that had prayed, and had God work in their kids lives such that the kids decided to start going to church.

Thankfully, my daughter does sometimes attend youth group, and she's not completely cut me off from sharing scripture with her or having bible themed discussions. I just want her to be in church with me on Sunday.
Click to expand...

I'm a single father . my daughter is 14. Thank God she understands what life and God is about. Sorry for your troubles but the way your going. things are going to be alright. And I thank God in Heaven...
 
Aerials1978

Aerials1978

Well-known member
#3
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
113
#3
I’m a single Father of 4. 2 teenagers and 2 little ones. My kids love going to Church, but they also have a strong Christ foundation out home.

Just talk with her, see what questions she has. Find out what she knows about Jesus and salvation. Pray and read the Bible together. Whatever you do, do in love and meekness and let her Creator open her heart. You will be amazed at what the Man from Nazareth can do
 
C

cyph2cor517

Member
#4
Dec 27, 2019
30
26
18
#4
Aerials1978 said:
I’m a single Father of 4. 2 teenagers and 2 little ones. My kids love going to Church, but they also have a strong Christ foundation out home.

Just talk with her, see what questions she has. Find out what she knows about Jesus and salvation. Pray and read the Bible together. Whatever you do, do in love and meekness and let her Creator open her heart. You will be amazed at what the Man from Nazareth can do
Click to expand...
That's good advice. I'll be in prayer about it and next week when my daughter comes up I'll just trust in God and see what happens.
 
Billyd

Billyd

Senior Member
#5
May 8, 2014
5,230
1,636
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#5
What do you do when your daughter is with you? What does she do?

You have no control over her relationship with her mother, but you have an opportunity to build a special relationship with your daughter. Make your time together special. Let her see God in your life, not your feelings about your ex. Let her see your love for her in her life, not your relationship with her mother. You are her earthly father. Take on that role. Your time is limited. She will be grown in a few years.

One final thought. Get to know her friends. Let them see God in your life, along with your love for your daughter.
 
D

DesertWanderer

Active member
#6
Nov 17, 2019
366
201
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61
New Mexico, USA
#6
cyph2cor517 said:
I just thought there might be some parents out there that had prayed, and had God work in their kids lives such that the kids decided to start going to church.
Click to expand...
My seven-year-old son hates going to church. He says it's boring. The kids are mean, and all they do in Sunday School is arts and crafts. He also stated the problem of us being separated almost the whole time we are there (like you, I am also a weekend dad).

You know what, he's right. I have very little time with him as it is. Why would I want to spend time getting ready for an event where we have to sit there listening to one guy talk for an hour, be ignored by everyone else, and try to avoid the stampede out the door after the hour is up? I can be ignored just fine at Wal-Mart!

Instead, this is what we aspire to do every Sunday:

1. While we eat our Cocoa Crispies, we'll watch a sermon from one of my favorite TV/Radio pastors.
2. I'll then put on an episode of Veggie Tales or Superbook.
3. He gets to play with his friends from next door. They get to hear some Christian music blaring on the TV while they're playing and I'm trying to pick up.

4. We kick out the friends and read the bible for about 20-30 minutes.
5. I put the music back on even louder. I try and get him to sing along, but...you know.
6. We invite the kids(and sometimes the parents) back over to play soccer in the back yard.
7. We go over to the neighbor's house and see what they are cooking on the grill.
8. We go back home and read a bit more from the bible...

This goes on all day long. If my son wants to watch one of his ridiculous Disney shows, he either has to read me a chapter from his kid's bible, or he has to sing a song or two with me to worship the Lord. I put conditions on everything else when it comes to honoring God.

Before long, I think we'll have the neighbors over for bible study and worshiping with us on Sundays. I sincerely believe this is the way we are supposed to "do church."
 
Aerials1978

Aerials1978

Well-known member
#7
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
113
#7
DesertWanderer said:
My seven-year-old son hates going to church. He says it's boring. The kids are mean, and all they do in Sunday School is arts and crafts. He also stated the problem of us being separated almost the whole time we are there (like you, I am also a weekend dad).

You know what, he's right. I have very little time with him as it is. Why would I want to spend time getting ready for an event where we have to sit there listening to one guy talk for an hour, be ignored by everyone else, and try to avoid the stampede out the door after the hour is up? I can be ignored just fine at Wal-Mart!

Instead, this is what we aspire to do every Sunday:

1. While we eat our Cocoa Crispies, we'll watch a sermon from one of my favorite TV/Radio pastors.
2. I'll then put on an episode of Veggie Tales or Superbook.
3. He gets to play with his friends from next door. They get to hear some Christian music blaring on the TV while they're playing and I'm trying to pick up.

4. We kick out the friends and read the bible for about 20-30 minutes.
5. I put the music back on even louder. I try and get him to sing along, but...you know.
6. We invite the kids(and sometimes the parents) back over to play soccer in the back yard.
7. We go over to the neighbor's house and see what they are cooking on the grill.
8. We go back home and read a bit more from the bible...

This goes on all day long. If my son wants to watch one of his ridiculous Disney shows, he either has to read me a chapter from his kid's bible, or he has to sing a song or two with me to worship the Lord. I put conditions on everything else when it comes to honoring God.

Before long, I think we'll have the neighbors over for bible study and worshiping with us on Sundays. I sincerely believe this is the way we are supposed to "do church."
Click to expand...
Sounds like you guys have a good thing going. My children and I read the Bible, pray, listen to worship music, talk about what it really means to walk with the Lord.
For awhile I was not honoring my responsibility of being a God fearing father.

After my wife decided she wanted a divorce, the Lord really stirred my heart that I needed to step it up and being them up properly. I can certainly see the seeds that are being planted. I pray Jesus makes them grow.
 
C

cyph2cor517

Member
#8
Dec 27, 2019
30
26
18
#8
Billyd said:
What do you do when your daughter is with you? What does she do?

You have no control over her relationship with her mother, but you have an opportunity to build a special relationship with your daughter. Make your time together special. Let her see God in your life, not your feelings about your ex. Let her see your love for her in her life, not your relationship with her mother. You are her earthly father. Take on that role. Your time is limited. She will be grown in a few years.

One final thought. Get to know her friends. Let them see God in your life, along with your love for your daughter.
Click to expand...
Most of the time we spend several hours together on her school days. Some weekends we're together half the day. Usually it's playing video games together, go out to eat, or go to the mall (when she gets her allowance).
As she's gotten older it varies.
I will say that I don't talk about her mom around her. I try to support her mom at least on parenting decisions that are important for Elizabeth not feeling like she's completely torn.
 
Aerials1978

Aerials1978

Well-known member
#9
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
113
#9
cyph2cor517 said:
Most of the time we spend several hours together on her school days. Some weekends we're together half the day. Usually it's playing video games together, go out to eat, or go to the mall (when she gets her allowance).
As she's gotten older it varies.
I will say that I don't talk about her mom around her. I try to support her mom at least on parenting decisions that are important for Elizabeth not feeling like she's completely torn.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you guys are doing well. It’s difficult for your daughter I’m sure. Keep up the good fight though, she will appreciate you so much more and you being Glory to Jesus!
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#10
Jul 3, 2015
60,175
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#10
You may enjoy a movie called "Like Arrows" :) imdb has this to say about it:

When conflict, rebellion and resentment overwhelm their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to change their parenting strategy, and are surprised to find effective, life-long solutions were closer than they imagined.

You can watch it together :D
 
1christian1

1christian1

Banned
#11
Sep 13, 2018
2,587
885
113
#11
Magenta said:
You may enjoy a movie called "Like Arrows":) imdb has this to say about it:

When conflict, rebellion and resentment overwhelm their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to change their parenting strategy, and are surprised to find effective, life-long solutions were closer than they imagined.

You can watch it together :D
Click to expand...

??? LOL...
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#12
Jul 3, 2015
60,175
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#12
1christian1 said:
??? LOL...
Click to expand...
Have you seen the movie? User review:

Loved this movie. As a new father myself, this movie was a great reminder and
will challenge me to keep my focus on Christ as my wife and I bring up our son.

Highly recommend to all parents - new and older!
 
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