Several years ago Team Sprad was doing Family Devo’s and my son leveled me!!
The conversation went something like this…
ME: “Are you guys ready for our family devo’s?”
COLE: “Yeah dad…but I am not real sure”
ME: “You’re not sure about what?”
COLE: “I am not sure that I really believe the whole Jesus thing”
This is when I ran to the toilet and threw up guts up!! Not really but this was extremely painful
ME: “Why Cole”
COLE: “He never shows up!” “I pray for help, his power, healing and for Him to take my fear of tornadoes away and he never shows up”
COLE: “I just don’t believe in Jesus anymore!”
I was sad! Brokenhearted! Sick! Angry at myself! Guilty! Where did I go wrong? I should have been more intentional!
I lived in Oklahoma for several years and before a tornado would hit everyone would hear a glass shattering and ear piercing siren that let everyone know a storm was close. Cole’s “I just don’t believe in Jesus anymore” was the glass shattering, ear piercing siren that let me know a storm was close. I became very intentional about depositing Jesus deep into my kid’s heart. We read God’s Word, prayed, worshipped, served, read Lee Strobel’s apologetics for kids and I can say today that all my kiddos love Jesus…
So here is my question for all parents…
DO YOUR KIDS BELIEVE?
not…
do they like church, know a Bible verse, have mom & dad’s faith
but…
DO YOUR KIDS BELIEVE?
Don’t assume, guess, think, take a stab at…have a deep heartfelt conversation with your kids and see where they stand with Jesus.
Would you like to receive EpicParent’s newest posts by email? If so, click HERE or to add it to your reader click HERE.
Wow, thanks for sharing this Sprad. My son is only 4, but this is one of my greatest fears…that I won’t be intentional enough and therefore allow my son to let unbelief take over. Thanks for the reminder and all you are doing on this blog.
this story is a constant reminder about keeping HIM the priority! thanks for checking in Jeremy.
What age was your son?
I’m concious that particularly when it comes to prayer – the reality and the theory fall way short and our prayer times are just a little false/formulaic.
Think the big thing your article has stirred in me is that we should follow Jesus because He saves us from our sins. Anything else is a bonus. Reminds of Luke 10:20,”But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven”.
Peter…that is another post for another day. I agree, that was the first thing I came away w/ was that somehow I painted a picture of a God that always rescues us…great point!
I’ve had one of my daughters ask, “How do we know what we believe is right? I mean, the Mormons believe their way is 100% right and we’re saying they’re wrong. What if we’re wrong?” I’d rather have them ask it straight up so we can deal with it but that’s not the norm.
I’m doing a “raising teen girls” bible study right now that has had me asking a lot of questions about what do my girls think about ________ (fill in the blank). I’ve been surprised at how many of these questions I can’t answer because I have no idea what they think and I’m surprised with their answers when I get the guts to ask them! It’s a reminder they’re in a world that is definitely pushing some non-Christian views everywhere they turn!
thanks for sharing Shelly! Great stuff and good job on tackling the tough questions. out of curiosity, what is the name of the Bible study?
Chris, Thank you for this. Even more sometimes is the comment I fear and was actually brought up tonight. “But daddy doesn’t believe, Why?” I constantly struggle with answering this and praying they find their way.
So true Tanya! thank you for your honesty, do you have any ladies in your life that can relate to your situation? if not, this might really help. thanks again for sharing and know I am praying for you tonight!
Dude. Solid stuff. This is one of those things that grips me with fear, but in a weird way I look forward to. I’ve gotta be prepared.
thats the response Kevin! “gotta be prepared”. hope your doing well!!
My children believe in g_d but they also believe in the tooth fairy. We talk about religion and if they believe they do and if they don’t hey ho.