My kids

[ThisBloodsforU]

My daughters are 10 (almost), 12 and 14. I need advice on how to get them to know God better. I (we) are currently torn between 2 churches and find little support at church so I need to help them on my own for now. I don't know where to begin. They more or less roll their eyes at bible reading and prayer. WHere do I start? I've been praying for guidance.

 

[Aisu]

What sort of stuff are they into? You could try to compare Biblical ideas to some of those things, or see how they could be incorporated.

Why do they not like Bible reading?

Do they watch a lot of TV? What shows/types of shows?

Do they like to read?

I have some ideas of what could help, but telling us a little more about them might help, too.

 

[AngelDove1]

I have a daughter,went though the same thing.
this is what advice we gave her.

My hubby n I thaught a bible study on the ...what on earth am I here for?

From the book by Rick Warren
"The purpose driven life" my daughter bought the book,n now she teaches
the 2 teens about Gods word ,in her home,though this vary book.

Look it up on the internet,it will give you more or less on what the book teaches.
www.purposedrivenlife.com sign up for thier daily devotional.


They love it.Invest,Pick up the book and you'll see what I mean.

You have been blessed for asking.

God bless you

 

[Elijah2]

My daughters are 10 (almost), 12 and 14. I need advice on how to get them to know God better. I (we) are currently torn between 2 churches and find little support at church so I need to help them on my own for now. I don't know where to begin. They more or less roll their eyes at bible reading and prayer. WHere do I start? I've been praying for guidance.

My daughter is 42 and she is no different to you daughters (smiling).

At that age it's a real struggle with all the paraphernalia that is spread across the TV screen, at school, in the market place, and all around.

Your childre is bombarded with anti-Christ.

Everything they see is the opposite to your values and God's values.

The only thing that will bring them to the right path, is by expressions of the fruit of the Spirit through love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, patience, and self-control.

Do you have them?

You show all of that and it will have an impression on them. Our grandchildren come around for dinner once a week, and we give them the best we can of the fruit of the Spirit, and if we can show them that then they will grow up in being a good person, and the rest will fall into place.

But, if you try to drag them to the living waters and make them drink, then you will fail.

Love never fails.

 

[LilLamb219]

Have they been going to church most of their lives? Do they attend Sunday School, or confirmation classes, or VBS even? The oldest two could probably volunteer to help out at VBS.

Is there a youth group at your church that does active bible studies? If not, maybe you could start one for them? Gotta have munchies available though

Above all, set an example for your children by continuing to attend services. You state you're currently torn between two churches, well, that might be putting them off...choose a church and get involved...and allow them to have opportunities to get involved as well.

 

[live4grace]

My daughters are 10 (almost), 12 and 14. I need advice on how to get them to know God better. I (we) are currently torn between 2 churches and find little support at church so I need to help them on my own for now. I don't know where to begin. They more or less roll their eyes at bible reading and prayer. WHere do I start? I've been praying for guidance.

You should not feel you have to do this alone. You NEED to find a church that DOES support you in this, one with a well established and healthy youth program. At their age, they are naturally drawn towards friends more than their parents (nothing personal, just hormones). So you will do well to get them in the company of others their age in a setting that helps them know God and grown in faith appropriately to their ages.

I'll pray for you in this; it's not easy (have been there).

 

[CShephard53]

I need advice on how to get them to know God better. I (we) are currently torn between 2 churches and find little support at church so I need to help them on my own for now. I don't know where to begin. They more or less roll their eyes at bible reading and prayer. WHere do I start? I've been praying for guidance.

I don't mean to sound harsh. But...
Where to begin would be surrendering them to God as HIS, not yours. Give them to God. You cannot change them. God can, and indeed is the ONLY one that can- God makes the seed grow.
Just be a role model. Do what Christians should do, biblically. Sure, find a church. But the decision to honor God is theirs. Don't press them.

 

[ThisBloodsforU]

I raised my girls in the church I was raised in, but I feel their religious upbringing has been very lukewarm, as was mine. I won't get into any kind of denomination debate, so let's just say that I feel we have to leave this church in order to grow, but I still feel sort of obligated to this church. We also attend my husband's church, which is a great church except their youth group is not so good!
They have been and will be involved in VBS this summer. They are currently not attending any Sunday school. I REALLY want them to find a good youth group. They are somewhat involved with the youth group in my old church, but that group doesn't do much either.
I AM praying daily for guidance on the whole church-thing.
I have renewed mylife as a Christian recently and I have had a long hard battle with depression. In this time, the girls not only had very little involvment with prayer, church, bible, but I let them get into alot of sechular things (music, tv, computer etc) I am monitoring these things now without taking everything away. I don't want to further push them from Christianity by taking away everything in the name of Jesus. Know what I mean? I do hope that as they grow to love Him and have a relationship with Him that they will make their own better decisions.
I do give this (them) to God in prayer daily. I ask Him to help me bring them to HIm if that is His will. I just feel so bad for letting them go all these years.
I made up a little bible game and emailed them last week. I assigned them a few chapters and told them they would get prizes after being tested on the reading. They have not attempted to read anything yet. We are doing little things like saying grace and also thanking God for things. I listen to Christian music all the time and hope that they will "get used to it." In fact, I am taking them to a Christian rock concert (Audio Adrenaline, Mercy Me) tonight.
I homeschool my oldest daughter (14) and we sometimes read a chapter here and there from the new testament. She doesn't really seem interested in the readings though.
I'm just so afraid because my children don't know the bible. I am just starting to learn it myself.
Thanks for listening, I know this has been long-winded!

 

[ThisBloodsforU]

The type of TV they watch varies. There was a time (when I had my dumb head buried in depression) that the older 2 were watching alot of that reality tv. I've completely put a stop to that and MTV, etc. The youngest likes cartoons still. They all like disney and nickalodean shows. My older 2 like some of the crime/drama shows. No R rated stuff. I did allow them to watch some PG 13 that I now regret because it was not suitable.
My middle daughter (12) likes to read.
They are all 3 VERY involved with sports, which does take up a lot of time daily.
Why do they not like bible reading? It's "boring." They have too much else to do. It's hard to understand. They don't realize the need for it.

 

[ThisBloodsforU]

I realize that I need to be a better example, no excuses. I think I've improved alot in this area. I try to bring God into everyday conversation. Like I said, I listen to only Christian music. They see that I study my bible daily and I pray. Little things like that. WIth my depression still lingering, it's kind of hard to show them joy, peace, patience, self control but I want this very much. I also very much want to be in a good church, without feeling guilty for leaving my old church.

 

[CShephard53]

The youngest likes cartoons still. They all like disney and nickalodean shows. My older 2 like some of the crime/drama shows. No R rated stuff.

Um. I'm 19, and I still like that stuff. All of it... no R rates stuff, with few exceptions such as Passion or something that's somewhat good. Cartoons on Nick and Disney, crime...

My middle daughter (12) likes to read.

If she really likes to read, get her some Ted Dekker books- Black, Red, and White are all good. There is good Christian fiction that appeals to teens nowadays. But that's coming from a guy, and I have no idea what she's into. If she likes action-type stuff I not only recommend Black, Red, and White, but pretty much any Ted Dekker book. Read the backs of them at your local bookstore.

They are all 3 VERY involved with sports, which does take up a lot of time daily.

Rent Christian sports movies, like Facing the Giants or something like it.

Why do they not like bible reading? It's "boring." They have too much else to do. It's hard to understand. They don't realize the need for it.

If they don't care, you cannot make them. But there are alternatives that get basically the same message across. Like books, movies, other things. If they don't care to hear about BIBLE stories, give them stories that portray Bible stories, like Chronicles of Narnia or something. Something that's not overtly and subtly Christian, but has Christian values. There's more than one way to teach them about the Bible. You know what they like better than any of us here at the forums do. Find something based on that.

 

[Robinsegg]

Have you considered purchasing a paraphrase Bible (like the Living Bible), to help make it more interesting to them? It reads more like a story.
Also, there are books out by Francine Rivers and Gilbert Morris that are really good novels based on Bible characters. Rivers has a 5-book series on ancestresses of Jesus (Ruth, Rahab, Mary, etc.) they might find interesting, and make them want to learn more.

There are "Picture Bibles" and "Comic Book Bibles" available that are Bible stories made into Comics.

Play Jeapordy, Wheel of Fortune, or Trivia with Bible facts. You can buy a Bible version of some games, too.

They like sports? Read to them where Paul compares the Christian life to a race to be run.

I hope that helps.
Rachel