Let The Child Decide

I was thinking the other day about children and choices. What got me started was the comment by a parent to the effect that when their child became older, he could choose his own "religion". In the meantime the parents weren't' going to force their beliefs on him.

That sounds so terribly sophisticated, "with it", modern, enlightened. It also sounds so sad.

You can bet on the following:

1. That child has no role model in spiritual things.
2. When he gets older he won't choose any "faith". Why should he?
3. Religion is irrelevant in that family.

Consider! All the important stuff in the child's life is never left to his own choosing, e.g. school, food, going to bed, brushing teeth, baths, etc. Obviously things spiritual aren't that important in this family.

What Does God Say? "Fathers, bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4) That's pretty straightforward. Parents are responsible before God to Grow Their Children In a Godly Environment. That means knowing God's will (admonition) and His love and grace in Christ (nurture).

When the child becomes an adult he becomes responsible for his own choosing. But, for heaven's sake, Give Him A God-Pleasing Basis For Making a Choice.