Where to start????

[thankfulformyblessings]

I have always believed in God and Jesus. For years I have wanted to attend church but have felt unworthy. Every time I have attended I have enjoyed it and I am always filled with the overwhelming urge to cry but it isn't a sad feeling. Is this God calling? When I get this feeling I really feel that I need to be in the church. I had a son 5 years ago. I have been reevaluating my feelings about church in the past few years. I want to take my son and my infant daughter to church but my son has ADHD and Autism and it is extremely difficult for him to sit still. How do Christian churches view these children. I want him to know who God is and I need help to teach him. Both of my children actually. I want them to have a good solid Christian foundation. How do I accomplish this? How do I go about finding a church that is accommodating to us. I also want to learn how to honor God with my husband. The urge to do all of this just keeps getting stronger. Am I being called? I want to be a good Christian and raise Christian children with unshakable faith. Where do I start?

 

[1watchman]

A lot depends on how old your children are. Most churches have special rooms where a parent can take a child that is upset or otherwise not settled. Most children have bad days. Small church groups have so few people that a young child or two that is moving about or otherwise needing to be calmed when they get loud, is tolerated. The parents can help other members to understand when they are visiting between meetings to realize what is needed for certain children.

We have a couple of autistic children in our assembly (ages about 7-10 I think), and our small gathering enjoys them and understands the special needs --no problem.

A lot depends what kind of church group you are with, I suppose. Depending where you are, I might know of a small non-denom. gathering nearby that is Godly and teaches the Bible, and can help you.

 

[turned around]

Hi Thankful,
Colosians 2:6-7 talks about simple faith and remaining in what Christ has started in your life. How did you receive him? More than likely in a simple setting, not when you were at your strongest. Just rely on Jesus from the inside, by doing this we become dependent on him to a greater degree. We grow in Christ as we are more dependent upon him. 1 Corth. 1:29-30 shows all that the Father done for us through the Cross, when we recogonize the finished work of the Cross we become more dependent on Christ.

 

[Harry3142]

Thankful-

Call the various churches in your area, and explain your situation to them. Some have facilities with people who are quite skilled at dealing with children who have problems; others don't. But even those who don't may be able to redirect you to those who can deal with these problems.

Quite frankly, it will do you little good to go to a church where you must take care of your children in a seperate part of the building rather than your being spiritually energized by the service itself. So concentrate on finding a church where their needs can be met by others while you attend to your own spiritual growth.

 

[Peripatetic]

Welcome to the forum! I have a few thoughts.

I have always believed in God and Jesus. For years I have wanted to attend church but have felt unworthy.

Everyone else in church has as many reasons to be unworthy as you or me. But God welcomes all. In fact, Jesus always seemed to reach out to the least likely.

I want to take my son and my infant daughter to church but my son has ADHD and Autism and it is extremely difficult for him to sit still. How do Christian churches view these children. I want him to know who God is and I need help to teach him.

My son also has Autism and ADHD. This is a very difficult combination! When he was at his most disruptive, we didn't bring him to church - my wife and I attended at different times so that one could stay at home with him. He eventually settled down some and was able to come with us. Though he has always looked and acted strangely, our church has been very welcoming and treat him well.

Teaching an autistic child about religion is also very challenging. My son is now 15, but has a very hard time learning anything abstract or historical. So I try to keep it very simple. He doesn't need to know complex doctrines, but has learned the basics. Autistic people tend to do well in liturgical services too, because they like the ordered, consistent patterns. I don't think my son would do well sitting through a 45 minute sermon, but he likes to follow along with the scripture readings, psalms, prayers, etc.

I wish you and your family the best!

 

[vahavtah157]

Many larger churches will have what they call Cry Rooms which are sound proofed to those who are sitting in the main sanctuary, but usually have speakers so moms and dads can sit in there with their kids and still hear the service. I don't know about autism and ADHD necessarily, but I did grow up in a church with a girl who had Down's Syndrome. She was about my age and would sometimes be with us in the Sunday School room. I wasn't old enough to know what the teachers did for her specifically, but with understanding and preparation, anything can be done. As far as those in the congregation, give them the benefit of the doubt. They know why you are there and want you to be there. Most congregations are good, welcoming families. You will know them when you find them.

Secondly, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY BEING CALLED! That moment where you are so peaceful, when you want to cry and often do, when you can feel the numbness in your limbs, I wholeheartedly believe that is your soul being ignited by the Holy Spirit. Answer that calling in the way that feels right. Faith is what the world calls instinct. Trust your "gut". That's God speaking to you.

Don't forget that there are thousands of things you can do at home for your husband and your kids. Christ is the husband of the Church. Treat your husband as you would treat Christ. Love him, honor him, submit to him, cherish him. My parents had a beautiful relationship. My mom told me that he would leave the house every morning and turn to her first to ask, "What can I do for you today?" Find older women, the crown of wisdom is a silver one. Seek out a women's bible study or just find a Godly woman with a good marriage, whom you trust, that can give you advice when you need it.

For your kids, pray for them first and foremost. They will have many of their own trials and callings that God will work through with them one on one. So your greatest gifts to them will be your prayers for them. Pray for their friends, pray for their teachers, pray for their spouses, pray for their kids. When I was a kid and I got in trouble, my mom would sit me down, talk to me about why I did it, spank me, and then hold me in her lap to pray with me. I will never forget that. Read the Bible with them. There are lots of great kid's Bibles with pictures. My nephew loves pointing out the animals that go into Noah's Ark. It may seem a little silly, but Veggie Tales are fantastic, ha! They are funny and fun, and they have such heart and tell the best Bible stories with songs and they always have a moral with a corresponding Bible verse at the end. My favorites are Josh and the Big Wall, Esther, and Jonah.

I will be praying for you and your family. Please come back with any more questions. God bless!!

 

[Bible2]

vahavtah157 said in post 6:

Faith is what the world calls instinct. Trust your "gut". That's God speaking to you.

Actually, faith isn't an instinct or a gut feeling. For instincts and gut feelings can be very deceptive (Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 28:26, Jeremiah 17:9). Christians believe that God exists, not because of any feeling, but because they can see the universe's existence (Romans 1:20, Psalms 19:1-4). And Christians believe in Jesus Christ, the human/divine Son of God (John 20:31), and his gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), not because of any feeling, but because God miraculously granted them the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8, John 6:65; 1 Corinthians 3:5b, Romans 12:3b, Hebrews 12:2) and some measure of his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-16) as they heard (or read) God's Word the Bible (Romans 10:17, Acts 13:48, Acts 26:22-23).

 

[Emmy]

Dear thankfulformyblessings. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells a Lawyer:
" The first and great Commandment is: Love God will all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus points out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love, also.( Matthew 7: 7-10) Ask God for Love and Joy, then thank God, and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour.
God will see your sincere efforts, and God will bless you. Keep asking God for Love and Joy, then thank God, and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour:
all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends. A Christian`s great weapon is Love, with love we will overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour.
We might stumble and forget at times, but then ask God to forgive you, and carry on Loving and caring.
In Luke 10: 25-28: Jesus tells us again, follow these Commandments and
" You Will Live." God is Love, and God Loves us, by following these Commandments God will know that we Love God: How?? BECAUSE we are following these Commandments to love and care. God wants our Love, freely given and No conditions tagged on. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy,
your sister in Christ.

 

[vahavtah157]

Actually, faith isn't an instinct or a gut feeling. For instincts and gut feelings can be very deceptive (Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 28:26, Jeremiah 17:9).


[Pro 14:12 KJV] 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
[Pro 28:26 KJV] 26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
[Jer 17:9 KJV] 9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

You vastly misunderstand me. I do not mean to say that what I call faith is the world's instinct. I mean that what the world may at times call an inkling of faith, they can only describe it as instinct. I don't know about anyone else but I don't hear God in my ears or even in my head. I feel him in my heart. Biblically, I feel him in my bowels, my innermost parts.

[Sgs 5:4 KJV] My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.
[Psa 40:8 KJV] 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.
[Phm 1:20 KJV] 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

 

[drstevej]

Thankful-

Call the various churches in your area, and explain your situation to them. Some have facilities with people who are quite skilled at dealing with children who have problems; others don't. But even those who don't may be able to redirect you to those who can deal with these problems.

Quite frankly, it will do you little good to go to a church where you must take care of your children in a seperate part of the building rather than your being spiritually energized by the service itself. So concentrate on finding a church where their needs can be met by others while you attend to your own spiritual growth.

Sound advice.