Calgary Worship Centre

[Deb]

I believe it is vital that our faith is based on relationship with Jesus as opposed to religion. However I wonder is this something that can be taught, or do we have to learn the hard way as I did. Do all of our beliefs start out as some form of religion, and then as we find out that doesn't work, do we begin to seek God on a more intimate personal basis(relationship?)
The reason I struggle with this is because I would love to teach my children from point of bible based relationship, and see them develop a strong relationship early on. I think many children at young ages serve God out of fear. I know this is one reason I got saved as a child because I was taught if I didn't then I would go to hell Not exactly a loving relationship?
I know when times get tough that is only my relationship with Jesus that gives me the strength to carry on. I want my children to have the same thing.
One of my daughters expresses to me that when she prays she doesn't feel like she is talking to anyone. This bothers me I know that it is because of a lack of relationship with God, you know that connection when you just know you have His full attention!
Just looking for your opinions on the topic, Thanks
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CHEERS & BLESSINGS
DEB

[rtoupin]

Interesting.

Perhaps it is time to teach and encourage your childred to journal? This will help them discover the voice of the Lord and to hear from God for themselves. Never too young.

As for the fear thing: Fear of going to hell may not be the best motivation, but think of it this way...

If a child continually chooses to run across the street without looking, some way has to be found to teach them. suppose too that the parents of that child have never, ever spanked. So after trying every possible form of correction, the child keeps running across the street.

In a deliberate attempt to shock and frighten the child (in order to save their life!) the parent waits until the child tries it again and swats them once, hard on the backside. The shock of it gets their attention. The child attempts it once more, and, bang..another swat.

Crying and hurting, the child is taken into mommies arms. At this point, mommie saud," Honey, I love you, but if ever cross the street without looking again, I will spank you even harder than I did today!"

From that point on, fear of mommie's spanks outweighs the desire to do run across the street without looking. Does this mean the child doesn't feel loved? Of course not. In every other respect, mommie's love is shown as it always has been, and the child will feel it and see it constantly.

In a sense, Hell (and the future eternal death of the lake of fire) was NEVER meant for humans. We were designed to live forever. If, in some cases, fear of hell results in someone turning to Christ, the result will be they will discover His great love for us...

But as Paul told Felix about righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come in an effort to pursuad that king to repent, sometimes people need to understand the eternal consequences of their actions in order to choose NOT to go there. (Act 24:25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.")


I don't know if this illustration or my thoughts here are helpful. I hope they are.
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Robin

Has-Been Admin. Now just a guy that shows up from time to time.

[Deb]

Thank you Robin for your input. Iwas beginning to wonder if anyone would respond.
I do agree that journaling will be a great start to helping the kids learn to hear the voice of God. I guess I just never thought to get them started this early on, I love the idea, and I do think it will help with some of the relational issues. Thanks again.

p.s. I still think that fear of going to hell is not the best way to get children saved. Because for me it painted a picture of a very stern, cruel heavenly father, as a child it was hard then to believe that God is a God of LOVE. It took me a long time to trust this God who I thought was ready to punish me for my every wrong doing. I guess what I'm trying to say first and formost is that, Children need to understand that all that God is and has done and is going to do is motivated out of His Love for us. Something I failed to see as a child.
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CHEERS & BLESSINGS
DEB

[TEX22]

What came to me is do we have our kids say their "prayers" as a ritual or do we encourage them to pray what god places on their hearts. Maybe all the God bless.....,God bless.....,God bless........ turns it into a ritual. i remember this from my childhood and my own kids.

[Deb]

That is so true, prayer can become very ritualistic. Thank you for this input, I think this will help a great deal also.
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CHEERS & BLESSINGS
DEB

[Deb]

Hi all,
Did you know that not all Christians believe we can have daily communion with God apart from the written word only?
Well, I didn't until recently. In chatting on another forum sight, I insighted a small riot when talking about journalling and teaching the children to hear what God wants them to pray. I was just so amazed at the response. One guy even said that this was New Age! Where is the Holy Spirit in all of this?
Imagine not living your life in daily communion with the Lord. I am not judging this lack of understanding, however I am just so greatful to serve a living and active God in my life. How about You?
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CHEERS & BLESSINGS
DEB