Going to Church

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Believing in something is very important. If you are devoting your life to one God, than you would want your children to believe the same as you. The trick is to let them see this and not force it. By the time your children are old enough and wise enough to make a decision, it should be an educated one and not one that was forced upon them. Isn't it much better to have faith with open eyes than to follow with blinders? If you want your children to respect you and your religion, than make it truly their decision.

I had a friend whose mother made him go to church, it became such a habit that he never minded going. He did not want to say anything about it because he respected his mother and her household rules. But this did not bother him to go because he loved his mother, he was a very depressed person and if anything this may have helped him. My daughter hates getting up on weekends and going anywhere but she never complains about going to church, though sometimes I do not think she wants to go. - LisaReed 3/19/2010 5:34:44 PM | Flag

Answered by JBest {111}
3/16/2010 10:02:08 PM

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Church is very important to our family but it is also very complicated. I am divorced from the father of my two oldest children and I am also re married. Their father's uncle is the pastor of his church and I go with my parents to their church. The way I approach them not wanting to go to church is I try and mix it up a little, twice a month, they go to their dad's church, and twice a month they go with us. As they get to be teenagers, around 15 I will let them decide where they go to church as long as they still go. At this age, they should be able to make decisions and figure out what they believe, as long as that belief is in God, I don't see a problem with it. We will always do our daily devotional and family prayers but it will be up to them exactly where they decide to worship. As far as deciding not to go, I am 32 and my mother asks me every Saturday night what time I will be ready on Sunday morning, even as an adult, I really do not have a choice but it has been a way of life for me my entire life so I don't want to change that. I will keep you and your family in my prayers that it all works out for you and your children make the right decision, just like I pray every day that mine will.

Answered by abbamom123 {426}
3/16/2010 5:08:27 AM

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We are Christians too and I pray that both you and we are never faced with that decision. As parents who care deeply about our children -- especially their spritual lives -- what a heart breaking thing it would be if one of them chose not to become a Christ follower.

So my answer to your question -- when is it appropriate to allow them to attend church or not -- would be 18. At that age, they are no longer minors. They can move out if they so chose. It seems to me that forcing an adult (even if only 18 still) to go to church is counter-productive. Even God himself does not force Himself upon people.

Then I would go into heavy duty prayer mode...

Answered by danielle128 {106}
3/20/2010 9:26:51 AM

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I agree with ABBA, Mine will have to be 18 or out of my house if they want to make that decision. I pray even now for God to protect my 2 and 4 year old's spiritual well being so that they will continue to love him as they do now.

Answered by sarahjeanne {107}
3/24/2010 7:55:38 PM

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We also are Christians and plan on regularly attending as a family until my daughter is out of the house on her own- maybe even AFTER 18! As ong as she is with us, it will be a family activity and lifestyle.

Answered by ADMINTODD {1104}
http://www.toddolivas.com
3/24/2010 8:55:53 PM

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Answered by Kensmelangelo {152}
http://holyninjaprogrammer.blogspot.com
4/2/2010 7:06:44 PM

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Ultimately their faith is a decision that they have to make. While they are young you can explain that they need to go to Church with you because you want to go, but when they are older if they want to stay home I would let them. While I believe Church is a very important part of the Christian lifestyle, it is not the whole of the Christian life. Ultimately depend on God for the salvation and sanctification of your children. It's possible God may allow some trails with your children so that you will place your trust and dependence on Him.