60-day returns • free shipping on USA orders $129+
Bible Studies & Child not Saved HELP
- This topic has 18 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 5 months ago by
.
- Posts
I was looking at the Goal B. S. and the Life In the Word B.S. What do you do if your child says he isn’t saved? She doesn’t have that “peace” and says she doen’t want that. She is 12yrs. old and will be 13 in Mar. I read the message in the thread that said “Taming the Tongue” at the very bottom of the page where she talks about the book Grace ? I can’t remember now. She talks about law and how it doesn’t work. I KNOW it doesn’t first hand. I raised all of 6 children with this. One of my older daughters is saved and the 14yr.old but none of the others are for sure. They don’t have a clue what a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus means. Also, my dear husband just finally was recently freed in Christ the past 3 yrs. or so from “legalism” being a “preachers” kid. Saved at the age of about 49. He struggled horribly. The last two we have given alot more love but she still didn’t get the message. She told me not to tell the relatives or her friend. She said, “What would they think if they thought she wasn’t a “good” girl.” Though I try to explain to her that the Lord loves and accepts her just the way she is…we gave her a mixed message with how we took care of discipline issues and now it is ingrained.Our oldest is 29 and wants nothing to do our Lord. She is in an occult.
I was saved at 19 out of an unbelieving home and He has been my Lord and Savior all along. I have literally CLUNG to him through the years.
The 14yr. old is saved and I will use the materials for her but not sure what to do for my 12yr old.
Idea’s?
Cyndi60, please privately email me. I would like to chat with you privately if you feel comfortable with that.
I can imagine how difficult this must be for you. I am not really sure what advice to offer, but I will pray for your situation (as I’m sure you are doing). I hope that simple home has some practical wisdom to pass on. I can’t think of any particular study off hand. It is difficult knowing that we cannot force our children into a relationship with God, not matter how desperately we want to see them walking with him.
A few years ago I read books by Lee Strobel — A Case for Christ and A Case for Faith (he has many others). Recently he put out children’s versions of both of these books and a third as well. I am planning to get them for my nearly 10 1/2 year old. I think they are about $17 for the set from CBD.
I would second the Lee Stobel books. I have not read the children’s versions but loved The Case for Christ and The Case for a Creator and will be reading more. In case you are not familiar, he writes in a very straight forward, logical way and was a former athiest whose research into Christianity lead him to Jesus. He encourages readers to think about the questions they have and decide for themselves what they believe, he does not tell the reader what to beleive. The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith are also instant views on Netflix as hour long documentaries.
Praying for you and your dc, cyndi06. Remember, God will redeam the years that the locusts have eaten.
I will check out the Lee Strobel children’s version books. I will check to see if they are “to” kiddish or young. She is a young 12 thankfully. Unfortunately, we can’t download netflix in our area to well and we don’t have a membership. I will ask my husband about it.
My heart so..yearned for CM years ago in the midst of legalism in our family. That gentle tenderness.
Thank you all for your prayers.
cyndi
Oh, my heart just goes out to you. {{{hugs}}}
A good book that I started using w/ my youngers (7.5 + 9.5), and it wasn’t ‘baby-ish” or childish, was Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland. I picked it up from CLP.
http://www.christianlibertypress.com/proddetail.asp?prod=EER19130Yes, there are younger children on the front and some pics in the book, but the words aren’t that way. Both dc accepted the Lord into their hearts the middle of Dec. Obviously, the youngest’s understanding isn’t the same, but he is clear in the truth.
If you want the section titles, let me know. It’s available from cbd as well, but I like the older version better. The newer one had changed a few things from the comparison I had.
Another good book (series) that I’ve recently picked up to use w/ my older dc is “Who Is God?” from Apologia. This is a 4 book series that even has notebooks you can do w/ it.
Book 1: Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?)
Biblical Worldview of God and Truth — This volume focuses on the person and attributes of God, His design for creation, and His woundrous plan for salvation.Book2: Who Am I? (And What Am I Doing Here?)
Biblical Worldview of Self-Image — This volume is about what it means to be made in God’s image and how children can know and pursue His plan for their lives.Book 3: Who is My Brother? (And Why Do We Need Each Other?)
Biblical Worldview of Servanthood — This volume helps children to discover the joy of serving others.Book 4: What on Earth Can I Do?
— This volume teaches Children to glorigy God through the proper use of the gifts He has given them, including their time, their talents, their possessions, and their planet.I’m not sure if these will help or not, just wanted to share some ideas.
I will pray for you and your whole family.
K
I will check out the first 2 books of from Apologia. She has gotten the message that she will get some “feeling” or “peace” when you know Him. She is not seeing that it is totally by faith from the cold hard facts of the Word of God and accepting them “when” she see’s her need for Him. Which of course comes when we are suffering from something and cry out to Him. This is when it is in the “heart”. My husband was trusting on facts but never saw His need and never cried out to Him. I knew this and kept on praying. It has been a long…27yrs. He never saw His love for him on a personal level til recently. He only saw “law”. Just this morning he came to me when I was reading the Word and asked me to read to him and pray with him. For he didn’t feel capable this morning. I was excited. This would never have happened 3 yrs. ago.
Lavishingly love (time) on her with “some” firm things is what will get her attention. It will be through us (me) “dieing” to self for just as wheat must die in order to bring forth seed, we must do the same.
My sister in law mentioned some material from Mark Cahill who is an evangelist.
Thank you
Cyndi, I can relate only too well, both of my daughters had the same upbringing, same church experience and Sunday school – but during my daughter’s trials and illness she has lost her faith – this grieves me no end. Her sister is still steaddfast in her belief, but the one who has gone through some enormous trials emotionaly and phsyically has decided there is no God. She is now a young adult and must find her own way back – we have deliberately not pushed the issue as my instinct with her is that it will drive her further away – however we continue to live our daily lives loving the Lord and do not shy away from our faith based books and discussions. My hope is that with patience, time and love she will come back to the fold and find peace. I had a period in my younger life where I lapsed, and found my way back – I pray that is the same for her. Fortunately she is not a rebellious girl, just a very sad and emotionally exhausted girl who needs healing time. Your situation is different because she is younger, I must say I like the Strobel books and I also liked the book The Road to Emmaus but these things did not help my daughter, for her I think time is the key with a lot of prayer from us and love and compassion for her situation. I think with your love and patience she too will come around. I will keep you all in my prayers. Linda
Linda
Thank you for your heart felt message. That is what I’m trying to do with my 19yr.old and now my 12yr.old I keep thinking that I can do something more for the 12yr.old. I have the Road to Emmaus. Is the Strobel books kind of like this? Really I need something that will help her see His love beyond me but in some “book? besides the bible?
It will come through dieing to self that is for sure….do you have idea’s of how to reach out on a personal level? When it is brought up I show compassion and love. My husband thinks that she is just trying to “test” us to see if we will still “love” her if she knows that she isn’t a christian but yet could be or maybe she is doing it for attention?
Thanks for encouragement
Cyndi
I have The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus and two of Lee Strobel’s books.
Road to Emmaus is more of a Biblical overview from creation to the resurrection focusing on the major themes — specifically creation, what sin is and how it seperates us from God, and God’s plan for redeaming the world through Christ. It is written “..for the person who knows nothing about the world’s bestseller — the Bible…and for those who want to know more.” It is an interesting book and I enjoyed the study, but I’m not sure your 12 year old would. I would not use it as an idependant study for her at all at this age.
Lee Strobel was a law journalist — he believes in facts– cold hard evidence. When his wife became a Christian, she changed in a lot of ways (naturally) and he wasn’t very happy with the changes and how her new faith was messing up the lifestyle he was accustomed to. So he set out with all his law and journalism skills to disprove Christianinty — but he couldn’t do it. In the process of all his interviews with experts in every area of science and theology, etc. he ended realizing the truth and became a Christian himself. He is now a leader in the field of apologetics. A Case for Christ looks at the authenticity and reliabiliy of the gospels, other historical evidence of Christ outside of the Bible, the character and identy of Jesus, and evidence for the resurrection. Each chapter is esentially an interview with an expert in some area with a page or two outline the experts credentials expalining why he (and we) should find this individual to be a reliable source on the subject matter. Although I have not ordered the Children’s versions yet, I have gotten the impression from the excerpt I read online that they are simply written in easier language and a more pre-teen friendly tone — without all the facy law terms and pages of credentials for each expert.
I guess the question is, what do you feel would resonate most with your daughter: Is she looking for evidence pointing to the existance of Jesus Christ? Or is she looking for a reason to put her faith in Him? Is it that she doesn’t believe or that she doesn’t see the relavence? The Case for Kids books are: A Case for Christ, A Case for Faith, and A Case for a Creator. They are written for 10-12 year olds and have had great reviews. I’m sure there are lots of other books out there, but these might be a place to start.
One more thing I feel I should add: Obviously presenting our Children with information about Christ and reasons to believe in Him is important, but no matter how good a job we do teaching our children about God, we cannot force them into a personal relationship with Him. We present the gospel, then we have to step back and let the Holy Spirit do His part. Far too often we get in His way because we are trying to force our own desires into reality. We need to stop harping and quietly await God’s will.
Our walk is always going to be a much greater example of Faith than anything we can say to them. They are watching us closely and they know when we are sincere and when we are blowing air by how we live our lives — the choices we make, the attitudes we have, etc. always say much more about what we really believe. It’s a lot of responsibility and today is one of those days that I feel like I’m failing miserably. Man, I can’t wait to get the laying down the rails DVD — and I’ve got to get back to that Raising Godly Tomatoes website to see if I can learning anything there. Being a mom is hard work!! But worth it — even on days like today!!
Praying for your family, Cyndi. God can redeem them all and make them all the stronger because of the struggles. Praying for peace and perserverance for you, and for all your children to turn to Jesus. You obviously love them dearly and that will shine through!!! Blessings, Gina
So agree with 4my boys, it is the Holy Spirit that will guide her through all of this. Like you said earlier, if she is doing this for attention, then that is ok. Shower her with overwhelming love, encouragement, and grace as you disciple her. Using books are ok if you feel like she is receptive to them, but mainly waking up everyday and just being with her and loving her, doing something special with her from time to time really speaks their heart more than a book. Write her a special note to say “I love you because you are my daughter!” It may seem goofy to her or you, but you need to attach some heartstrings to hang her faith on. 🙂
Blessings and peace to you. Keep your faith in God’s promises. He is in total control and even though we forsake Him, He will never forsake His own. Rest in that.
- The topic ‘Bible Studies & Child not Saved HELP’ is closed to new replies.