FAITH AT HOME: BEFORE THE CRISIS ARRIVES
Philipose Vaidyar
In an earlier write-up, “When Students (Children) Fail, Whom Do We Blame?” we noted that even in nurturing homes, children make their own choices. Click Here to View #1 Later, in “The Vanishing Youth from Our Congregations,” the focus shifted to the church—how weak programs, self-serving leadership, and misplaced priorities often push young people away. Click Here to View #2
Now, we turn to the home. Before crises arise, how can we nurture a faith that lasts? Not through formulas or fear, but through presence, patience, and intentional parenting.
Take one
story: a young woman from a Christian family moved to the city, met a man of
another faith at her workplace, and wanted to marry him. Instead of eloping,
she consulted her parents, who agreed if the wedding took place in church. The
couple joined a local congregation; the man underwent counseling, classes,
baptism preparation, and was approved for membership. They married quietly—then
disappeared from church life, later citing distance and work. Many such stories
end in similar confusion, with parents left praying for true faith to take
root.
Today,
many church-raised young people marry outside the faith, divorce, or hide
secret relationships. Global culture—instantly accessible online—shapes their
values. In this consumerist world, even marriage is treated like an online
purchase: try, discard, replace. Some avoid it altogether.
The deeper question is this: are our young people basing
their choices on Christ, or simply on earning, spending, and consuming? Our
children are not only listening but also watching—imitating not just their
parents, but also their peers and the surrounding culture. In such a world, how
do we ensure that what they absorb at home points them toward faith, character,
and maturity?
1. Parenting with Purpose, Not Panic
Faith
cannot be outsourced. It is not the job of the Sunday school teacher alone. Nor
is it the church’s responsibility to raise our children spiritually. Scripture
places that responsibility primarily on parents:
“These
commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on
your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the
road...” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).
Children
are often taught to memorize Bible verses and praised when they recite them in
church or during family prayers. While this has value, what matters even more
is helping them discuss, interpret, and apply the meaning of those verses in
everyday life. From a young age, children should be guided to see how Scripture
speaks to their challenges and choices.
This
should not be about rewards or punishments but about creating space at home for
genuine interaction—learning together to hear God’s voice. Don’t wait until
Sunday school or youth camps, which in reality offer little scope for such conversations.
Some ministries may run programs on quiet time, personal Bible study, or
inductive study methods. These can be helpful, but children may miss them
because of school or other schedules. Parents cannot depend on those occasional
opportunities; they need to take the lead.
Remember,
parents are the best teachers of values, behavior, and character—even if not of
academic subjects. Let spirituality begin naturally at home, as early as
children learn anything else. When family prayer becomes a time of dialogue and
discovery, children grow not just in knowledge of Scripture, but in the habit
of listening to God.
Sadly,
many parents start intentional spiritual conversations only when a crisis
arises—when their child walks away from faith, gets into a bad relationship, or
begins making poor choices. But by then, we are reacting, not shaping. The time
to start is not when they’re in trouble, but when they are still learning to
speak and observe.
2. The Atmosphere at Home Speaks Louder than Rules
Children
can sense pretence. If we pray in church but fight at home, if we speak about
love and grace but live with bitterness and complaints, they notice. Home must
be a safe space where grace is practiced, truth is taught, and love is
consistent. Not perfect parenting—but honest, humble, and consistent.
Let’s not
confuse rigid rule-keeping with righteousness. Children thrive not in
controlling environments but in homes that model Christ.
3. Modeling, Not Just Teaching
Paul
boldly said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1
Corinthians 11:1)
That’s a
strong claim—and a needed one today. Parents don’t need to be perfect, but they
do need to be intentional. Children model what they see: how you pray, how you
treat your spouse, how you spend money, how you respond to failure. Everything
preaches.
4. Spending Time Individually with Children
Each
child is unique, and parents must take time to connect with them personally.
From an early age, explaining matters and truths individually—whether during a
walk, a routine task, or shared activities—helps build trust and openness.
Encouragement is best given in public, while correction is most effective in
private, especially in matters of personal growth or sensitive advice. Parents
should agree on this and decide who addresses which matters. Such intentional
one-on-one moments shape both confidence and character.
5. Guarding What Shapes Them
In
today’s hyper-connected world, children are shaped not just by what happens at
home, but by what they consume online, what they hear from peers, and the
subtle ideologies pushed through media. Parents must help their children
develop discernment, not just discipline. That includes talking about values,
warning about deception, and helping them think biblically.
We must
be present—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Presence
builds trust. And trust creates the bridge over which truth can be shared.
6. Faith Is Caught Before It Is Taught
Let’s
remember: faith is not downloaded through lectures. It’s absorbed through
life—through conversations at the dinner table, through bedtime prayers,
through how we treat the poor, speak to elders, and respond when things go
wrong.
It’s not
about doing more programs. It’s about being more present.
We began by asking: whom do we blame when children walk away—the church or
parents? The truth is, blame never builds faith. What is needed is ownership.
Church and home must partner, but the first classroom of faith is always the
home.
A crisis can take many forms. It may begin as a spark, come knocking, or linger at the door. The hardest is when it enters the home—when children slip away unnoticed or storm out in anger, slamming the door behind them.
That is why parents cannot afford to wait for such moments. Faith formation cannot be outsourced to Sunday Schools, youth camps, or occasional trainings. These may support, but parents must lead—shaping character and guiding children early toward wise, Christ-centered decisions.
So let us not wait for sparks to flare, knocks to sound, doors to slam, or children to slip away. In a world of shifting values and consumer-style relationships, our children need what is real. They need to see lives lived with authenticity, a daily walk with Christ, and a readiness to listen together for His voice. What must be passed on is not rituals or memory verses, but the joy of knowing a living Savior at the center of every decision.
Previous Post # 1 https://pvarticles.blogspot.com/2025/01/who-fails-parents-or-children.html
Previous Post #2 https://pvarticles.blogspot.com/2025/08/missing-from-pew.html
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