The eternal problem for parents - at what pointhelp the child to determine the faith receive Christ as their Savior. They are racking their brains over the question of when a child begins a »reasonable age» when he will be able to grasp the reality of Christ's atoning death and profess their faith in Him. They are terribly afraid that the faith will be for the child a lesson learned by rote, repetitive, only under pressure from parents. The next moment, they rush to the opposite extreme - seek to force, push the baby, believing that otherwise he will never become a true believer. And many parents pursues a nightmare: what if the child dies, and has not come to faith, but after come into the age of responsibility.
We can not solve this problem, because only Godknows the baby's heart and his willingness to accept the faith, and He alone knows the day and hour when He will call him to Himself (see. Luke 12:20). The only answer here may be the reality of God's love. God loves your baby infinite, endures forever love, He is not going to play with his soul and put it on the map, »long suffering, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance» (2 Peter 3: 9) .
However, two questions deserve particular attention. The first - on the development of consciousness. When a child acquires the ability to perceive the truth of the Gospel and can make decisions in the field of faith? For This child should understand the following basic concepts:
• existence and the love of God,
• the reality of our sinfulness,
• the penalty for sin,
• Salvation by Christ's death,
• the need to personally accept Christ.
There are many books that explain these truths to children at an affordable level for their age. You can get advice from a trusted pastor or a bookstore.
And the second question: as we prepare children for confession of Christ. Do I need to sit down with him side by side and discuss these truths? Suggest to him to decide whether and to confess their faith? Report whether some facts and ask them to think about? Is all this the Church entrusted?
Как именно вы поступите, зависит от характера вашего ребенка и ваших с ним отношений. Лучше всего, конечно, если Бог постоянно присутствует в вашей жизни, — тогда ребенок поймет, что ваши слова указывают ему путь, и он сможет сам идти по нему, как только усвоит фундаментальные истины. Все в его жизни согласуется с вашим наставлением и подтверждает его. Ребенок иной раз и сам, по собственной инициативе устремляется к Богу, поскольку этот путь подсказывает ему опыт жизни в семье. Или же, когда ребенок растет в любви к Богу и ищет Его, однажды в церкви или в воскресной школе он услышит весть, которая встанет на свое место в его душе, и он примет нужное решение. В принятии решения та среда, тот контекст, который вы создавали годами, может сыграть ключевую роль.
Understand and own emotional impact onchild, especially in regard to the freedom of decision-making. You must be sure that the child can make a choice without fear at the same time lose your love and understanding. If a child is afraid to let you down, upset or angry, you should first understand the problem, and then move to a decision.
Бывает и обратная ситуация; подросток, стремящийся к независимости, отвергает все призывы родителей вступить в отношения с Богом, потому что боится тем самым подпасть под чью-то власть. Разберитесь с этой проблемой или предложите подростку обсудить ее с друзьями, с теми сверстниками, кто лучше него справляется с этой проблемой.
Our Heavenly Father wants to strengthen your relationship with your child. Ask Him every day, how to help a child and when to step aside and not interfere with, that the process went smoothly.
Parental responsibilities are changing at different stages of a child's life. This is especially noticeable when the age of the child is nearing the age of twenty: training period comes to an end.
