In the first article in this two part series Kath explored some of the questions around bringing up children in a faith environment. She concludes her thoughts about this subject in the following article.

Choosing for themselves

The questions come when our children get to the point of choosing how they see the world for themselves. (A gradual and ongoing process). Do we dig in our heels and demand they think the same as us or do we love and accept and provide that safe foundation to explore the world?

I long that God would draw my children to him and I pray that he does but I'm not going to insist they accept what I do to be loved. Equally if a child from an atheist family falls in love with Jesus then that family has a responsibly to love and accept and seek to understand what's going on.

Most of all I want to give my children a safe and stable base to always feel they can come back to. Whether they wholeheartedly agree with our take on the world or not.

Older brother's and prodigals 

I pray that if they take on believing in our Maker they would do so out of awareness of grace rather than out of duty. I don’t want them to be older brothers in the prodigal son story. I pray also that if they choose to run they would know there is always a welcome at home. We will always run to meet them and delight in them.

I'm not saying this is easy or that it won't involve mistakes. We will get it wrong but that's the joy of parenting!

Sunday school

As for 'Sunday schools', I long that they would be places where emphasis is not put on praise when the 'right' answers are given, that the awesome questions that children have would be encouraged, that grace and not moralism would be taught.

I have less control over that environment but I think our church is trying hard to be a positive place for our children. I also think it's just a tiny part of my children discovering God. I hope that they get their main view of him from the everyday way my husband and I interact with them and demonstrate our dependance on him, from our struggles and joys in being in relationship with the Maker of the world.

I long, hope and pray that they would know and love Jesus rather than any subculture of Christianity.

Do you think it's possible to bring up children to be unbiased if you have a strong faith?

How can we ensure they are free to make up their own minds when they are ready?