What Can I Do to Encourage an Unfaithful Child to Follow Christ?

by David Shannon

This question is on many minds. It is not a light hearted question to stir conversation, but rather a soul aching question of concern. Let us strive to offer a few suggestions.
First, notice the question is an important and good question to ask. It is important because a soul is at stake. If we ever stop caring about the soul's of our family, how pitiful we have become!
Second, notice the question is difficult. Your desire for righteousness may not be the child's desire. No matter how desperately we want them to turn to Christ we must begin this discussion with the acceptance that we cannot force them to do so.
With this in mind consider these:

1. The principle in 1 Peter 3:1 is helpful in this situation. Peter wrote to wives married to husbands of unbelief instructing them not to nag ("without I the word") their husbands, but let their conduct ("conversation") win them to Christ. ( Parents, make sure your child sees you as a person that is in every way dedicated to t God! The child may not listen to what you say, but they will remember what you to do! Win them by showing them!

2. Pray for the child daily. Hannah formed the life of her child before his existence through fervent prayer ( 1 Samuel 1). "Pray without Ceasing" ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Luke 18:1-8 God says to cry unto Him day and night. James 5:16b says, "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." With a problem as difficult and serious as a lost child, we need the greatest power in and out of the universe! Pray often!

3. Ask the elders to pray for your child. In James 5:14 the elder were called to pray over the sick. The task of elders in the Bible is described as "overseers" or "shepherd." The elders should know of your heart's most troubling concerns in order to encourage and pray in the most appropriate way for the congregation.

4. Let your child know beyond any doubt that the most important thing he can do on this earth is to serve God. Not through nagging! Perhaps through a letter or a serious talk, let the child know that his soul is worth more the world.
Let your child read for himself Matthew 16:24-26.

5. Tell your child of the joy it would bring to you. Somewhere deep down in almost every son or daughter is the desire to make their parent(s) proud. Let the child know that no other success in their life will bring the joy or replace the wishes that you have for their soul's salvation!
To every parent that reads this article with a lost child in mind, I simply add the words, "be thou faithful unto death." Your faithfulness may be the most powerful sermon your child is hearing. Don't give up or in!

• Chisel -Aug 24, 2008
• Chisel 2008 --Sculpting Young Men to Lead Great Works -Aug 10, 2008
• Youth ministry subject of university workshop -Feb 05, 2008
• Opportunities to Serve -Feb 19, 2006
• Have You Seen Us? -Oct 30, 2005