Rising Children in an ever dying culture.

As a Father of four, I have asked the Lord to let me show them His ways and His faithfulness. We pray, read the Bible, talk about Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins. We also talk about how we must be like Him in order to be different from the world. I must admit that there are many forces that can distract or even pull them away. Sensory overload by advanced technologies(Cell phones, video games, Tablets, etc) have caused many child to live is a fake digital reality. While I do allow my children to have such things, I do try to limit their engagement with them. My concern is not so much the digital addiction that can come about, but what they see and experience in a society that seems to be becoming more and more decadent. I live in a state the prides itself on being all about physical pleasures and self gratification. This of course is not in line with God’s plan of redemption of Mankind. While I plant the seeds and Gods make them grow, I know that I cannot be assured this will always be the case. Eventually they will become independent people and will be shaped by either God or by the world. It’s a troubling reality for any parent that wants their children to grow up loving and fearing the Lord. Things are not going to get better. There is not going to be a great awakening or a mass moral clarity that will envelope the masses. The ONLY thing I can do is teach them as best I can and live by what I teach. It’s a bitter pill to swallowing knowing that I can’t always be there to pull them back. Thanks be to our Father in Heaven whom can. I don’t want them to walk among the dead and dying.

Are your kids in public school? Because that’s an easy way to subject them to 40 hours of secular indoctrination a week...

Unfortunately, they are.

Is moving an option?

Not at this time. I just pray that the Lords ways are shown through me.

I wish you the best.

I’ll share this short podcast with you

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arena/id404107808?i=1000460915295

It is the sermon from the Sunday of Genealogies.

The whole thing is worth a lesson but the part relevant to here is at 22:35.

I hope you find some encouragement in it.

Thank you!

Prayer is powerful... and we have to trust that all things work together for good... we all make mistakes as we learn and it's very hard to watch kids make mistakes but we have the Lord....
I home-schooled my 5 kids for about 16 years... there came a time when I had to put some of them in secular school (the Christian one closed down). It has been very difficult, but the youngest of them all, now stands up against anti-Christian agenda taught in his class; he stands up for truth and is a light shining to all his class-mates and I thank God for that. He comes home sometimes and we talk about how ridiculous Buddhist beliefs are for example, and it blesses my heart.
Sometimes I think of how Moses was brought up in Egypt, and Joseph also remained faithful, and I know God is able to save my kids like He saved me.

I have learnt that fear in parenting is unhelpful and praying & trusting is extremely helpful.

God bless you and your family.

2 Timothy 1:7:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Yes. He He makes us not timid but strong and righteous His for his glory! Thank you for the scripture Sister!!!

God told Lot to leave Sodom and Gomorrah yet he stalled, why? It wasnt till the last moment they actually got out with the angels, and even then, Lots wife looked back.

I always wondered about that.

Human folly and not trusting in our Creator.

I think it was too late for Lots daughters, considering what happened afterwards.

I wouldnt blame technology for the culture though, because technology can be a blessing too. I am typing this on a tablet after all.

Its more drugs. Technology isnt the drug, actual drugs are the drugs.
Once someone is exposed or on a drug, its hard to get them back. If children can make it through adolesence without getting drunk or stoned or pregnant, that would be a good thing.

I don’t blame technology either. We were created in the image of God so we also create. The BIG difference is God Creation was perfect until the fall. We like to marvel at things our hands have made. The reality is that it is all perishable as to Gods words and works last forever. To that I say AMEN!

"Worldly elements are ever present, and we can only strive to be an example
to our loved ones. I realize raising children in today's world shall be a challenge
like nothing else. Our oldest all grown with families. Past twenty one years, we
have raised a grandson, and still lives with us. We brought him up with love,
the most powerful tool we have, and today he is our joy, by the grace of God.
Love, has no boundaries...believe it! May your family have abundance of love."
'Praise God'

Amen🙌....but the greatest is love.

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

This is a promise from God. See to it they have their Christian base, then leave the rest to our Lord. It does not say they will serve Him while very young. They can't get away from our Fathers protection. Keep praying for them and trust God.

Absolutely. I had a little discussion with my four daughter about why God loves and protects us. I could tell by her gaze she was processing that. I can only plant the seed, Jesus can make it grow. Thank you for your words of encouragement and truth!

regarding games esp video games I thought I would say something because it is an issue especially with children these days, but even adults its a problem.

Best solution is to restrict computer use. You may be the one providing the wifi or whatever, but that doesnt mean you must always have unlimited access for your children.

All that data COSTS money.
Place filters and you can block sites and ads. Have guidelines and say this computer is used for work or study only.

Provide other things to do (like books!) so children wont complain they are bored and then get sucked into playing video games all day. Set time limits on computers and phones. Use the OFF button! save the batteries.

I find that games especially multiplayer ones will eat up hours of time IF YOU LET IT. There was one student who was found dead in his hostel after a week or so and all nobody had any clue how he died, but he was a gamer and nobody thought it odd that he would spend hours in his room without talking to anyone.

Dont encourgae gaming or game paraphenalia. If it were me I would have a party where I would go round smashing computers and consoles, I know one mother ran over her sons expensive smartphone. so now he only has a cheap phone. He said to his dad dont buy me anything cos mum will smash it. the problem is when one parent lets a child do anything they want and buys them all the latest toys and then wonders why they get addicted. If the tempation is given TO them then dont be surprised that they will take it up.

I am also wary of parents who complain about TV shows but then ask them why dont they just get rid of the TV and make their own entertainment instead and read with their children they are like what?!

oh but that takes time, well make time. You had time to sit and watch tv, but you dont have time to read books?