How important is it to you that your children grow up knowing God?

Question

We are raising our children to love God and according to the Bible. Both my husband and I give God all our trust and He is the reason we are blessed the way we are. He has blessed me with my husband, my children, my life, my eternal salvation, my home, and in so many other countless ways. We view God as an essential part of our lives and while we know it's our children's choice to trust or not to trust God, we will still instill God's truth and His word into their hearts. We expect them to make their own choice about God as we know we cannot make that choice for them. How important is it to you that your children know God and accept Him into their hearts?

Answer 1

it is very important to me. my husband and i were both born and raised catholic. he attended a catholic school. while i wasnt lucky enough to have that privelage with all the siblings i had, i didnt get to learn about God in a normal school day, but i learned alot about him at home. i plan for my children to attend catholic school if we can afford  it. in fact, gracie is only 6 months old, and i know she cant exactly understand, but we are starting to teach her about God. now

Answer 2

It is one of the most important things in the world to me.I was raised holiness & to go to church regularly.My parents made me go with them & when I got old enough I made my own choice about it.I loved it so much that I chose the same religion.I really hope that my child chooses the same religion but will not force them too.They will be made to go to church with me until they are old enough to decide for themselves and hopefully they will love him enough to believe in him as well..

Answer 3

You are right in that it's their choice ultimately. I would like my children to know about God but I will not force anything on them, guide them in one way or another. I am not any particular religion but do believe in God and hope to instill goodness in my children regardless of what they (or I) believe.

Answer 4

Very, sounds like you are on the right track as well.

Answer 5

Number one priority on my list!!!! My son really likes Christian music- he is 6- when our church cleaned out their tech department, they were going to toss out 2 risers that they used on stage...so, we brought them home and put one in my son's room. At night he will sit up in his room and play his guitar (which he can not technically play) and write songs to God...it's so cute!!!!

Answer 6

In my own life, I have had so many experiences that I couldnt have made it through if I hadnt called on God. I want my boys to know that no matter what they face in this life, Our precious Lord is holding them in His hands. I pray all the time that God would surround my children and that they would come to know Him and love Him. I think too many people have given up, and think this world is just too horrible, and we have to let things be. I think its sad that people have lost hope in the future generations. I will never give up hope that my children can live a life full of GOD, and can grow up with hearts full of love, and strong moral values! With God, all things are possible, and I believe our prayers are truly answered. Our children will be blessed.

Answer 7

It is very important to me and my husband that our children come to know God and accept Him.  Their very eternal salvation depends on it, and I don't want to live my life in the eternities without them.  Plus, how can I feel I did my job as a parent if I don't at least try the very best that I know how to instill these beliefs in them?  These beliefs are essential and if I don't try, I will fail as a parent.  There is nothing more important in parenting than this, in my opinion.

Answer 8

I feel that it's their decision whether they want to believe in God or not. If they decide that God is not the way then I support that if they want to go to church then I support that too. No child should be forced to go to church against their will.

Answer 9

I was not raised with religion and my son won't be either. In my family it's just not important however I respect that for others it is. When my son gets older he will be exposed to religion and it will be up to him whether or not he decides to join one. I went to church with friends and family growing up and I think it's important to know and respect others values.

Answer 10

I think if you believe in God you should expose your children to God as well.  However don't "force" it on them so to speak, with the fear of God and all that because that can cause them to rebel later in life and fortunately can also lead them into a life loving God.  We don't go to church however my daughter always attended Christian daycare and preschool (true christian schools) because I wanted God in her life on a daily basis, we read the bible, we say prayers every night, we ask God to keep us safe in the car and to help our family etc. That is our way of doing things and it works for us, you have to do what ever you feel best about.  Again, I wouldn't suggest being complete fanatics so to speak.  Let your child make their choices when they are 18, until then it is up to you.  Also, there are lots of things that can make a child trust or not trust in God, I think it is important to let them know that even when things are terrible and they are hurting that God is still there.

Answer 11

Very important to us.  Since we believe the Bible teaches that only those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can spend eternity with God, it is very important to us that our children know God and His Son.  

I know everyone doesn't agree and I am not  trying to "push" my beliefs on anyone else, but this is the truest answer I have to this question.  It is THE single most important detail of our parenting...to teach our children to know God for themselves.

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I want to add that although we do believe the way we believe, our children do know about the other types of "religions" (well, the older ones do, the little ones are still too young to have noticed and picked up on it). We don't actually sit them down and tell them about every other religion out there, but neither do we hide it from them.  They do live in this world and they do learn things about this world.  My children are not being taught that there is only one way to believe, they are being taught that he Bible teaches that there is only one RIGHT way to believe.

So as I said, they do know about the other beliefs and will have  to make their own choices.  A parent can only do so much and then it is up to the child whether or not he/she believes.  Religious beliefs can not be forced on a child or offspring, he/she must believe it for themselves.

Answer 12

Well like what has been said.  You can't force it on them, you have to let them make the final decision.  But it is our job as a parent to guide them down the right road.  It is very important that my girls know and follow God.  All I can show them is the right way and hope they choose to follow to.

Answer 13

Well I do not believe in God, however I do believe in education.  I intend to educate my child the best that I can and what I don't know I will do what is in my power to help him find the answers that he finds best for himself.  I would never deny someone else's belief, my son included.

Answer 14

I think the important thing is to raise them to have strong morals. I have taught my children parts of many different religions and instilled in them the importance of acceptance of ALL and to respect their right to their own beliefs.

But I have not instilled in them any one religion. I did send 2 of my children to a private christian college and supported their Bible studies, prayer time 100%. My 8 year old still likes to talk about God and pray and again, although I do not practise any religion, I fully support her in her beliefs.

Answer 15

I think it sounds like you are doing a great job.  Making sure that your children have the opportunity to learn of Jesus and what he did for us is a great start.  Yes, it will be their decision in the long run, but you are making sure that they know their options...Kudos to you!

Jesus will guide you as he will also guide your children!

God Bless and keep it up!  ;)

Answer 16

I am sorry, but I know my answer will get thousands of thumbs down - But I thought I'd post anyway.

For our family it isn't important at all. We have decided against raising our children with 1 god, instead raising them with knowledge from most religions (I wish I could say all religions, but there is only so much you can learn about all).

My children can choose whatever they wish when they are older, and wiser, but knowing they have learnt about most Gods instead of the one, makes we as Parents believe is good for them. It may stop them from hatred towards other religions, after all most hatred comes from not understanding.

My Husband is Christian, and myself a Buddhist, but neither have any shame in learning and teaching our son's anything different from what we know. I was raised Catholic, but found peace in being a Buddhist, so I fully believe in choice. We also have a house guest who is an Atheist, and my Husbands best friend. So they have a good range of religions under one roof.

My eldest son is Catholic, but we support him, even at 4yo. He hasn't been to church in a few months, only because he has been very hurt and strained from his past. We have been making plans to send him to a Sunday School, at the local Catholic Church. We will probably send our other kids if they want to go.

But he will also be raised with the same knowledge my other son's have/will be.

For us it works, and we are 110% happy with our decisions. And when they grow up and make their decisions, we will be supporting them no matter what they decide.

I just hope whatever they decide, they are happy.