Introducing children to God

[Seeker22]

I have a 4 year old and a 3 year old, as well as a 7 month old and another on the way. I would like to start talking to the 4 year old and 3 year old about God and was wondering if there are any good resources out there. I am just starting a deeper spiritual journey myself, but I would like to expose them in such a way that they can decide. It felt rather forced on me and I never enjoyed going to church or any of it as a result. We do not go to church at this time, so I am looking to expose them at home.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[Inkachu]

Get some children's Bible story books, or a children's Bible. Start saying grace before meals, and say a little blessing at bedtime together. Explain that there's someone called "God" or "Jesus" who made them, and loves them very much. Keep it simple! If they ask questions and you aren't sure of an answer, tell them you'll think about it and answer them just as soon as you can.

Going to church is another great step (when you're ready), because the nursery and Sunday School teachers have experience introducing children to these concepts and keeping them simple and engaging.

The single most important thing you can do, is model a Christian life for them. The old saying goes "children imitate what we do, not what we say" and it's very true. The more your children see YOU praying, reading your Bible, loving other people, being truthful, being forgiving, etc... the more those habits will become second nature to them.

 

[HasAnswers]

I get some great stuff through doing Scripture in schools. Look for sunday school resources. That stuff is great!

 

[Affliction]

Get some children's Bible story books, or a children's Bible. Start saying grace before meals, and say a little blessing at bedtime together. Explain that there's someone called "God" or "Jesus" who made them, and loves them very much. Keep it simple! If they ask questions and you aren't sure of an answer, tell them you'll think about it and answer them just as soon as you can.

Going to church is another great step (when you're ready), because the nursery and Sunday School teachers have experience introducing children to these concepts and keeping them simple and engaging.

The single most important thing you can do, is model a Christian life for them. The old saying goes "children imitate what we do, not what we say" and it's very true. The more your children see YOU praying, reading your Bible, loving other people, being truthful, being forgiving, etc... the more those habits will become second nature to them.

What if they end up choosing not to have a faith and decide to go for Atheism/Agnosticism ?

 

[HasAnswers]

I agree Affliction.
I think the most important thing is to balance *love* with apologetics. Your children need to know that the faith isn't wishy washy feelings. That it makes YOU act differently - that it WORKS. And they need to know it can be defended intellectually. It's not all about going to church - it's about how it's affecting YOU.

 

[Affliction]

I agree Affliction.
I think the most important thing is to balance *love* with apologetics. Your children need to know that the faith isn't wishy washy feelings. That it makes YOU act differently - that it WORKS. And they need to know it can be defended intellectually. It's not all about going to church - it's about how it's affecting YOU.

Actually i'm just saying what if after a raised Christian child chooses for themselves to be Agnostic or Atheist. I know that Apologetics turned me off right away when I started losing faith and my mom tried to sit me down and have those talks =/ .

To keep everything on topic - your kids are young man, if you're raising them keep things really simple and age appropriate. What you will find is one of the two older child will definitely be asking questions and questioning themselves as time goes on. Not that it's a bad thing at all, but as time rolls on if you *want* to have children of faith, don't go for grooming tactics so much as support. Again, age appropriate. I didn't go to church until I was about 5/6 years old.

 

[Niffer]

ARG! I wrote a huge, long post and the internet ate it.
Gah, well...here's the gist:

Lead by action - if you want your child to know God and become Christian then let them see you practicing your faith.
My 2 year old already "prays" in her own little way over her food, because she sees us doing it.
Encourage their faith, have reminders of faith throughout your daily life, like prayers at certain times, Christian books/movies/Cd's.

Church when they're tiny isn't as important at the traditions you're building into your daily life.

Start there, and keep encouraging and answering questions.

Peace,
~ Niffer

 

[Mediaeval]

Traditional catechesis includes learning the Ten Commandments, the Apostle's Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. These provide a framework that can be fleshed out more and more as the children grow. There is a lot of kid-friendly material in Proverbs as well.