Faith, Influence, and the Importance of Listening
Faith Beyond Childhood
I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home where church and Sunday school were a regular part of life. My parents made sure that my siblings and I learned about God from an early age, and for that I am grateful.
But as I grew older, I realized that faith is not something parents can choose for their children. Every person must eventually decide for themselves whether they will follow God wholeheartedly. Like the Israelites in the Old Testament, we often drift away, become distracted, and struggle to remain faithful despite knowing the truth.
Many of us believe in God, yet we do not always live faithfully. We call ourselves Christians, but sometimes our actions reveal that we are relying more on our own strength than seeking God’s will. I say this not in judgment of others, but from my own experience.
Faith is not a destination we reach once and for all; it is a daily choice to trust God, follow Him, and allow Him to shape our hearts. God’s grace continually calls us back when we wander.
As we grow older, many of us begin to realize what we missed and where we made wrong choices. We feel regret for the opportunities we wasted and for the times we neglected what truly mattered. We may even feel guilty for not giving God the attention He deserved in our lives.
Yet one of the greatest truths of the Gospel is that with God it is never too late. He forgives us time and time again, just as He calls us to forgive others. His mercy is greater than our failures, and His love is stronger than our mistakes.
Recently, I have discovered that there is so much more to the Bible than I ever realized. For years I would read a passage of Scripture and say my daily prayers, but I rarely stopped to ask myself whether I truly understood what I was reading or whether I really meant what I was praying.
Since attending the Full Gospel Church of God in Parow, I have found a deeper appreciation for God’s Word. Through the teaching ministry of Dr. Raymond Lombard, I have come to understand many biblical truths in a way I never did before. His teaching encourages believers to think beyond the surface and to dig deeper into the meaning and context of Scripture. Through his sermons, Bible studies, and books, he helps people see the remarkable connection between the Old and New Testaments and how God’s plan unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. The ministry also provides extensive Bible study resources, books, podcasts, and teaching materials for those who want to grow in their understanding of Scripture.
The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is still to discover. God’s Word is alive, rich with meaning, and filled with lessons that continue to shape our lives. My journey of faith is far from perfect, but I am grateful that God never stops teaching, guiding, and drawing us closer to Him.
I go to https://www.raymondlombard.com/ if ever I need guidance.
The Importance of Faith and Taking Children to Church
In a world where children face increasing pressure from school, sports, social media, and daily life, faith can provide a much-needed foundation of hope, purpose, and stability. Taking children to church is about far more than attending a weekly service; it is an opportunity to teach them values such as kindness, compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, and perseverance. Faith helps children understand that their worth is not determined by their grades, achievements, popularity, or trophies, but by who they are as individuals and as children of God. When children learn to trust God, they gain a source of strength that can help them navigate life’s challenges, disappointments, and uncertainties. Prayer, worship, and being part of a faith community can provide comfort during difficult times and remind children that they are never alone. While parents naturally want their children to succeed, faith teaches an equally important lesson: that true success is not measured only by worldly achievements, but by character, integrity, love for others, and a relationship with God. For many families, attending church together also strengthens family bonds and creates a sense of belonging and support that can be invaluable throughout a child’s life.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” — Matthew 15:8
Understanding Influence in a Changing World
Never before have children been exposed to so many voices competing for their attention. From social media and YouTube videos to friends at school, celebrities, online influencers, and countless belief systems, today’s children are growing up in a world where information and opinions are available at the touch of a button.
As Christian parents, grandparents, and caregivers, this reality can be both a blessing and a challenge. While children have access to more knowledge than any previous generation, they are also vulnerable to influences that may shape their values, beliefs, and identity in ways we never intended.
One of the greatest misconceptions many parents have is believing that because a child was raised in a Christian home, attended Sunday school, and regularly went to church, they will automatically continue in the faith as adults. While these foundations are incredibly important, every child eventually reaches a point where they must decide for themselves what they believe.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who witnessed God’s power firsthand yet still struggled to remain faithful. The Israelites repeatedly saw God’s provision and miracles, yet they often allowed surrounding cultures and beliefs to pull them away from Him. Human nature has not changed. We all face the challenge of deciding which voices we will listen to and which values will guide our lives.
This does not mean parents should fear every differing opinion or belief their children encounter. Rather, it means we should equip our children with wisdom, discernment, and a strong understanding of their own faith. Children who know why they believe what they believe are far more likely to remain grounded when they encounter different worldviews.
The goal is not to isolate our children from the world but to prepare them for it. We cannot control every influence they encounter, but we can help them develop the spiritual and emotional tools they need to evaluate those influences through the lens of God’s Word.
When Our Children Ask Difficult Questions
A big mistakes Christian parents can make is assuming that asking questions is a sign of weak faith. In reality, questions are often evidence that a child is thinking deeply about what they believe and trying to make sense of the world around them.
I recently read about a young woman who told her mother that she was one of the reasons she no longer wanted to be a Christian. Her mother was a devoted believer who faithfully attended church and raised her children in the faith. Yet whenever her daughter asked difficult questions about God, the Bible, suffering, heaven, or other religions, she never received clear answers. Over time, the daughter felt that her questions were being dismissed rather than explored.
Whether every detail of that story is accurate or not, the lesson is important. Children are naturally curious. They want to understand why they believe what they believe. They want answers to difficult questions. If they cannot find those answers at home or in church, they will often look elsewhere.
As parents, we should never be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” None of us has all the answers. However, our responsibility does not end there. When we don’t know how to answer a question, we should help our children find someone who can. This may be a pastor, youth leader, trusted Christian mentor, Bible teacher, or another mature believer who is knowledgeable and willing to engage with their questions.
Children need to know that Christianity is not afraid of questions. The Bible itself contains people who questioned, doubted, struggled, and sought understanding. God is not threatened by honest questions, and neither should we be.
If we want our children to develop a faith that lasts into adulthood, we must create an environment where they feel safe to ask difficult questions without fear of criticism or rejection. Sometimes the greatest influence in a child’s spiritual journey is not the answer itself, but knowing that someone cared enough to listen.
In a world filled with competing voices, beliefs, and influences, one of the most powerful things we can do is keep the conversation open. When children know they can come to us with their doubts, concerns, and questions, we strengthen the foundation upon which their faith can grow.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6