AMEN

SETTING A STRONG EXAMPLE OF FAITH

"I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth".

3 JOHN 1:4

FOR THE CHRISTIAN COUPLE, the greatest joy is to see our children walking in truth. This sentiment is echoed by the apostle John in his last epistle. He considered the believers his “children” since he had been a father figure to them as their faith grew, and their faithfulness to Christ brought him much joy. Conversely, the greatest sorrow is seeing our children turn away from God.

The greatest influence we have on our children’s religious beliefs happens in the first eighteen years of their lives. Children listen to what we say, and they observe our actions. The closer our practice is to our preaching, the more our children respect our faith. However, the greater the distance between what we proclaim and what we practice, the less likely they are to follow our religious beliefs.

What if our children are already grown, and we failed to do this when they were young? It is never too late to say, “I realize that when you were growing up, my lifestyle did not demonstrate very well what I claimed to believe. I wish I could go back and live parts of my life again. Of course, that’s impossible, but I want you to know that I regret the way I failed you.” This, coupled with a changed life, opens the door for further influence on your adult child. None of us are perfect. Dealing with past failures is the first step to renewed relationships.

Heavenly Father you know how deeply I yearn to see my children walking in faithfulness to you. I ask your forgiveness for the times when I was not a good role model.

Please help my spouse and me to be honest about our failures, and may they not stand in the way of our children’s belief. In Jesus name, Amen.

Marriage Quotes from Kids

Note: We understand that many people throughout the United States and the world are experiencing terrible pain within their relationships. We want to help all that we can and do not take the issue lightly. But we also feel the need to laugh and take note of the humor that often exists in relationship dynamics and viewpoints.

Marriage According to Kids (Marriage Quotes from Kids)

Question: How do you decide who to marry?

"You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming." -Alan, age 10

"No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with." -Kristen, age 10

Question: What is the Right Age to Get Married?

"Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person forever by then." -Camille, age 10

Question: How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

"You might have to guess based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids." -Derrick, age 8

Question: What do you think your mom and dad have in common?

"Both don't want any more kids." -Lori, age 8

Question: What do most people do on a date?

"Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough." -Lynnette, age 8

"On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." -Martin, age 10

Question: When is it okay to kiss someone?

"When they're rich." -Pam, age 7

"The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that." -Curt, age 7

"The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do." -Howard, age 8

Question: Is it better to be single or married?

"It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them." -Anita, age 9

"To be single. Because then you can just play video games instead of having to be all romantic and stuff." -Tyler, age 10

Question: How would the world be different if people didn't get married?

"There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?" -Kelvin, age 8

Question: How would you make a marriage work?

"Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck." -Ricky, age 10