# 329  02/13/06  Teaching our children to love God

                Until I was nine, I attended a little church in another part of the state.  I have very vivid memories of that church.  In the summer, the stained glass windows made confusing images because the windows were raised, one part of the picture sitting atop the other part.  People were packed together closely, and the sun heated the sanctuary.  We always needed the cardboard fans that were provided by the local funeral directors.  Flies came in through the unscreened windows and provided amusing distractions.  But, what I remember most was that the sermons focused on all the things that I should not do.  Fear was a big part of my early religious training. 

            Children who are reared on a steady diet of legalism grow up to be adults whose inability to live up to the expectations causes insecurities, guilt and perfectionism.  The strict training in rules can crowd out some important aspects of the Christian faith.  In fact, it can easily crowd out what Jesus declared to be the most important aspect.

            One of the teachers of the law asked Jesus which commandment was the most important.  “‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  There is no commandment greater than these.’” Mark12:29-31. 

            It is much easier to teach a child a set of rules than it is to teach him how to love God and to love his neighbor.  Perhaps that is the reason that so many people have been brought up with strict training in right and wrong.  It was simply that their parents could teach a list of rules, reward for compliance and punish for disobedience.

            Of course, we cannot make another person love God and his neighbor.  That comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.  However, there are ways that we can prepare our children’s hearts to be receptive to the Holy Spirit.  Next week, I will write about one of the most joyful ways to lead your child to love God.