Help with a Riddle Egg Hunt for Teens!!!!!!!!!

I think just getting into a good church with a good children's ministries program can do wonders in teaching children about God's love and greatness. It is also fun for the child and something for them to look forward to. I believe when children see it can be just as fun as things of the world, it makes it easier.

I know it's been awhile since you posted this, but I just saw it and I have to respond. I am a nother of five and a Christian. Mu husband and I desire the same for our children; to turn them to God. We go to our church every time the doors are open and we are very active in the ministries of our church. Our children know and see this (for example,we teach the "children's church" twice a month) so we pray that our living example and the living examles of those around them will help to guide our children to God. But it takes more than that. I think our children need to see the joy God can bring into our lives. If we as their parents seem to serve God grudgingly, then why would anyone, even our own kids, want what we have? To many people prefessing to be "christians" are gloomy and angry and depressing to be around. I am not saying that nothing is worth being sad about just beacuse we trust God, certainly their are trials and tribulations even in the Christian life that will bring us down. But joy (or the absense of it) is something that is in our foundation. It comes form our deepest part and manifests itself in our everyday lives. When we get cut off when we are driving or when the person in line in fornt of us is taking FOREVER to write her check, our aditudes reflect whether we have this joy or not. I think our children seeing this and growing up watching us serve God JOYFULLY will help in turning them to Him. They are watching us. They see whether we mean it or not.
Haning said all that, I will also add, that it is also important to protest them from a little bit of the world. When they are young it is easy to do. We just don't watch that movie or don't listen to that song, but as they grow older it;s much harder to "shelter" them (as i'm struggling with right now in our lives). This is when we rely on all those years of example and teaching we have had with them and pray they are turned toward God now. Roght now, we have 5 kids ages 3-14 adn so we are dealing with this for every age group it seems. So easy to tell my 5 year old daughter,'we don't play with Bratz dolls because we want to dress like a nice little girl and those dolls are trying to be sexy", but not so easy to tell my 14 year old boy, "no, you can't see that movie because...(fill in the blank)". At this point we pray hat he is already turned toward God, and will understand and agree with us. So far, it has worked. This doesn't mean that they are not enticed by the things the world has to offer, of course they are! And sometimes they are even disappionted, but ultimately they agree. And that's because all the other adults and families (including us) in their lives and that we we spend our free time with, lives their lives with their eyes turned upon Him. Our kids have MANY friends whose families feel like we do (that we want our kids to be turned onto God), so when they are with these friend, there isn't any pressure to be like the world.
I know this is too long and i rambled and I hope it makes sense. I will say one last bit of advice, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Pray fpr wisdom and courage to say no when you need to. It isn't easy, that's for sure. Good luck!

Lead by example. The main thing that I've found that turns people away from God is the people preaching it. Either they're too pushy or complete hypocrits. If you lead a life that is filled with spirituality and you do try to do the right things; that's the most you can do. Show them the good part of it. If you're preaching fire and brimstone it just won't work. That's not what God is about.
Be tolerant and accepting of other people and ideas. Deep down, you already have the answer to your own question.

Hi D.,

I'm a homeschool mom too! I do agree with Faith that we have to lead by example, all 7 days of the week. But I do know that everything God has in store for us is intended to drive us to our knees and to commune with Him. He loves the fellowship of His children. Pray, pray, pray! Pray for them and pray with them.

I have assurance that my oldest is a believer but I still struggle with my 12 year old. She is a sweet, sweet girl but the world does have a lot of pleasure to offer. She is intrigued with it. Aren't we all if we don't have our eyes on Christ...which leads me back to the beginning. I do believe it is a matter of prayer and example. We can't, in our humanity, turn our children onto God, we have to patiently pray for God to get hold of their hearts! Be anxious for nothing.....it's hard :)

God bless!

M.

Hi D., My advise to you is to lead and they will follow. I believe that God entrusted you to care for His children here on earth. Show them how much you love God, by seeking and learning what you can about His Love, get out into the world and do all that God intended for you to do, surround your family with like minded people and guess what? As your children grow you will find that they too have been watching and learning the whole time. Yes, there will be times when you wonder if it worked, or if they are having fun, just remember that you have planted the seeds in their hearts and minds. Most important, Trust in the Lord. Blessings, V.

My five year old is very much tuned in to Jesus. She goes to Christian school and loves it. I love it too. It's so neat to hear her singing "Jesus Loves Me" and other songs. We listen to the Joy FM together, and she sings along. She even teaches her neighborhood friends who go to public school about Jesus. She is drawing them all beautiful crosses with different color patches. The red ones she says represent the blood of Jesus so they remember what He did for them. WOW!! she is only 5!! She also likes Hannah Montana and a few other Disney Channel shows. But she shuts her Hannah Montana CD off sometimes to listen to her Bible songs tape. I am so happy with her, she even teaches our 2 year old. She is always excited to say a blessing at the dinner table, and prays for family members too. We don't tell her to do these things either, it's all her doing. God has blessed our home with this little angel!

I am trying my hardest to Keeping my teens turned onto God as well without discouraging them or thinking I am just a bible thumper. He has done so much in my life and yet my oldest teen has faced many challenges in his life and he just feels that God is ignoring him or just continuously letting him down. when you find out will you share it with me?

sincerly
C.,
www.themomteam.com/anewlife

I'm a dad, Christian, and father of 3. God works through us and his spirit. The key is be sensitive to God's Spirit. Be prepared spiritually to follow promptings to teach specific principals. God usually teaches one thing at a time.

Good luck.

Hi D., I too struggle with that with my kids and even with myself. It has been a focus with both my girls about purity.."you are worth the wait." I would love to connect sometime because we homeschool as well. We live in Land O Lakes near Target. Maybe we can get together sometime to talk, pray, etc.

M. Riggs
Family Story Consultant #530
www.cherishbound.com
Connecting Stories, Connecting Learning, Connecting Families

I have found that as I make God central in my life then my children just naturally want to know more about him. We read scriptures daily as a family, we prayer as a family each night before bed, and we get to as many church activities as we can. We attend church each Sunday and if our primary (that's the name of our children's classes) has an activity, we always go.

But, I have also found in my life that when I pray, God hears me. Especially when my prayers involve his precious little ones.

Hope you have a great and inspired day!
M.

D., my answer to your question is that you as their mother need to set an example with your own life so that they will see and follow you as you follow Christ. As believers, we are to live the Christ-like life. we as parents are to use Christ as our example in how we raise and teach our children. we are to train them at the earliest age possible and teach them all of God's commandments. parenthood didn't come with instructions, but as true believers know, God is our Father and therefore we are to parent our children how He does us. To "turn our children onto God",let them see and witness the Christ-like lifestyle within us as parents, for we are their #1 role model. we pray for them that God will manifest Himself into their lives and guide them as He guides us. spend at least 10 minutes of the day reading Bible stories to them and gradually increase the time that you have set aside. during family time spent together, play games that are Bible oriented. set aside 3 times out of your busy day to spend time with God as a family as well as individually,sharing with each other family prayer. become a member of your local church and get them enrolled into the children's ministry. may God bless you. C. D.,34,wife and mother of 3 young children and 1 on the way

I totally agree with Faith and Mimi. They hit the nail on the head!

Keeping a faith-based home is where everything starts. Showing them the benefits of God to themselves and others through community service, sunday school, volunteering at church, etc. The list is endless in such a needy world.

Thanks for a great post!

Hello D.,
I have two kids 6 and 10yrs old that I recently enrolled in CCD classes in our parrish. I myself am new in the faith, but for a long time had this yearning to get close God. Since I have had few struggles but I am at peace and happy with myself. My kids look forward to going to CCD class every Thursday. I also do my part at home to keep them close to God. I always tell my kids that before they were mine they belong to God and that I was giving the gift of being their mother to nurture, love and educate them. You can't turn your child onto God. You first need to educate them about him. Talk to them about him, let them hear you praise him, and take them to church. Also tell them is ok not to know everything about God, and that in due time they will come to love and praise God as you are doing. Make sure that you pray prior to bed a simple prayer giving him thanks for the beautiful day you've had even if it was not that great. Because you need to tell them that someone out there in the world had a worst day than them. registered them in CCD classes at your nearest Catholic church or in Sunday school at any Christian church. Which ever your denomination is. I hope this was helpful and Good luck on your journey to find God with your family.

Depending on the ages... Veggie Tales are a good tool... There is a family christian book store in Pinellas Park by the Applebees on Park Blvd...They have a whole kids section... If you have boys like 5-10 Bible Man is a Super Hero.

There are books that you can read together and music.

A few summers ago I was babysitting and I showed the kids Veggie Tales and Bible Man and it spawn LOTS of questions and a bunch of new little Christians.

Blessings D.,
K. J.