February 12th, 2010 Back to Basics
Get Back to the Basics
By Brendan Riordan
Malachi 2:15 Family Ministries led by {Brendan and Dawn Riordan}
B.I.B.L.E. {Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth}
We as Christian parents must inculcate the basics of our Christian faith into our children before they leave our homes for college, marriage or the work force. And parents are the most influential people in their childrens’ lives.
Yet, upwards to ninety four percent of children from our Christian homes leave the traditional church after high school , and 65% do not know that Jesus is the only way. A majority do not believe in moral absolutes. What is happening to our families in America?
We as Christian parents have relegated the religious education of our children to the Sunday school teacher, the pastor, or their public school teacher. Or even worse, we do not ourselves know the basics of our Christian Faith.
What are some of the basics that every parent should teach their child:
1 – Statement of Faith – Every church has a statement of faith. In it are the very fundamentals that we live by. Are you familiar with it? Have you taught it to your children?
2 – The Ten Commandments –If the goal of child training is to disciple a child towards a commitment to Christ, then a child must first know God’s standards as found in the Ten Commandments. It is not until a person understands that he cannot fulfill the moral laws of God, that he really understands the need for forgiveness and a Savior. The Ten Commandments teach us God’s moral absolutes that are undisputable.
3 – Teach Your Children to Honor and Respect You – Unless they respect you they will not respect God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding {Prov. 1:7}, and the fear of parents is the beginning of respecting and fearing the Lord. Too many youth are hell bound and slaves to fornication and drugs and crime because their parents never required respect at home. Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” NIV
4 – Separation from the World – {Romans 12:2} – Did you know that you are in the world but not of the world?{John 17:16} Does your home reflect God on it’s walls, in your entertainment, in your conversation, in your fellowship?
5 – How to Feed on God’s Word – Teach your children to delight in God’s Word Does every person, grandparent, child in your home read, study, memorize, & discuss the Bible?
6 – Discus Old and New Testament Illustrations of those who were punished and rewarded for not obeying or obeying God. When Ananias was struck down by God for deception, the rest of the believers trembled in fear.{Acts 5:5} Rahab was commended for helping Israel {Heb 11:21}
7 – Teach Your Children How to Work – Prov 14:23 “All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.” One of the best things you can do for your children is teach them how to work, so that they can provide for themselves and their family when they leave your home. Too many Americans think they are doing their kids a favor by letting them play all the time. In reality they are producing a useless person who will never learn to help out or even provide for themselves.
Above are a small portion of the life saving basics B.I.B.L.E {Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth} that should be taught to your children before they leave your home.
Families, join us in the upcoming parenting workshop for family fun and hands on workshops and learn how to 1. Conduct a Bible Devotion 2 – How to Have TV Free Fun with your Kids 3 – How to Create a Godly Home Environment and more. {See Flyer for more details.}
2 – McDowell, Josh, The Last Christian Generation, Green Key Books, 1995; pg 13
3- McDowell, Josh, The Last Christian Generation, Green Key Books, 1995; pg 34
