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Question
My oldest child is grown and has walked away from everything we taught him. He says he doesn’t believe any of the “garbage” we taught him about God. I don’t know where I went wrong. We homeschool and our kids are active in church and youth group. How do I keep this from happening to my younger kids?
Answer
Having a child reject Christ is on of the greatest sorrows of motherhood. We love our children and desire the best for them. And as believers, we know that the best thing for our children is acknowledging their sin, turning to Christ for salvation, and growing in their walk with the Lord.
First, let me encourage you, that your children’s salvation is not on your shoulders. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is a gift from God. It is not based on your children’s works or on your works as a parent.
Second, the success of motherhood is not dependent on whether children become believers or not. Rather, our success as moms comes as we love God and are obedient to His Word in the parenting of our children and as we love our children through faithful discipleship, discipline, and prayer.
Finally, don’t get weighed down by guilt or “what-if”. If there are areas in your parenting that you regret or situations that have happened where you know that you sinned against your kids, then confess those sins to God and to your children. One of the greatest examples we can set for our kids is one of repentance; when they see us acknowledge our sin, confess that sin, and ask for forgiveness.
I don’t know you personally or the details of your life but it sounds like you have a deep desire to raise your kids according to God’s Word and in a way that brings glory to God. It is clear that you long to see your kids come to Christ and that the thought of your children rejecting God brings great sorrow. I hope the resources that are listed below will be an encouragement to you. God knows your sorrows and cares for you and your children.
Resources to Encourage You
Below are some resources that I pray will be an encouragement to you.
Hope for the Imperfect Mom
Motherhood can be full of regrets yet we are not without hope. Let’s dive into Scripture to see what God’s Word has to say to imperfect moms. Click here to go to the show notes.
The Role of Parents in the Life of Their Kids
Learn three responsibilities that parents have in the life of their kids as we look into Scripture. Click here to go to the show notes.
How to Have Success in Our Homeschool
The world tells us that homeschool success is raising kids who excel at academics. Other people determine their homeschool success based on whether their children become believers. But what does Scripture teach us about success. Find out in this talk that I gave at a BJU Press Homeschool event.
Recommended Books
It’s Not Too Late: Restoring Broken Relationships with Teenage and Adult Children
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family
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