As parents, we all find it difficult to answer this question, and I have generally discovered that there are two extremes to avoid: the former is compounded by the lack of discernment shown by many churches when calling on children 4 or 5 years old on a regular basis. elders, ask them to raise their hands if they love Jesus, and then baptize them as converted disciples of Christ.
The second is often a reaction against the carelessness of the former, this extreme prevents parents and also pastors from wanting to affirm the conversion of a child until it is adult and independent of the authority and care of the parents, although the degana in both cases is somewhat justified, I think we must seek common ground to discern the clear biblical evidence that a child , teen or young adult has become a new creature in Christ.
- Admit the obvious? That we are not God and we cannot see the heart?There is some argument that there is some evidence that can help us discern the legitimacy of the child or adolescent’s profession of faith.
- In line with the five signs of true conversion proposed by Jonathan.
- Edwards.
- Here are five tests I use as a standard to address this difficult topic.
In my experience as a parent and pastor, I realized that age is not the most important indicator for determining true conversion, but is generally advisable to look for this evidence in an age-appropriate manner. -old articulate your understanding of the gospel differently – more complete than a 10-year-old. The same can be said of a child’s desire to obey his parents or to show an altruistic spirit towards his brothers and sisters. As children grow up, this evidence will change and our expectations must be adjusted accordingly.
Still, the visible fruit must be present one way or another, and I strongly advise someone to claim the conversion of a child without some tangible evidence beyond a verbal profession. On the other hand, however, I would like to warn parents and pastors to fall into the trap of demanding more than one child than can reasonably be expected and observed.
Here are five questions to consider when reviewing the above evidence and evaluating a child’s spiritual condition.
Children often do what we tell them to do, believe what we tell them to believe and say what we tell them to say. When it comes to saying “I believe in Jesus,” parents can manipulate an answer, even with the best of But instead of persuading them to say the right words, we should seek true affection for Jesus as a child and, as best we can, see if this affection finds its root in what he has done to save her from her sins. through his death and resurrection.
I read the Word of God with my children before they could read it for themselves, but what struck me was when my eldest daughter began reading and trying to understand the truth of God’s Word, even at a time when I did not insist She read the scriptures for herself and then asked me questions. These behaviors revealed what my wife and I identified as a real desire to know better the Word of God, regardless of each of us.
The helpful confirmation that my eldest son had converted came about a year after the events. Reflecting on the conclusion of the book of James in our Wednesday Bible study, my son shared that it was sad to get lost last week, as it would be an advance from I asked him why he was sad, as he had been involved in studying the whole book, and he replied, “I feel like I remember well the last three chapters of James , but I don’t remember much about him. the first two. ” Then I realized that we had launched James 3 right after feeling that our son had become.
The word? Awakening is a useful way to understand conversion not only in adults, but also in children. Ask yourself if your child seems to understand the truths about God, the gospel, and the Bible better than before. Have you ever seen a spiritual awakening?
It is common to confuse the spiritual fruit with the positive aspects of a child’s personality, so we must know the different personality traits of each child before we can discern the true spiritual fruit, for example, my son is outgoing, loves people and has always loved the members of our church; therefore, love for the local church, although the fruit of conversion, was not the best basis for discerning my son’s conversion, because he was already naturally inclined to love people. However, my eldest daughter, of course, did not like people in the same way; something that obviously changed after his conversion. In short, it’s important to honestly evaluate your child’s personality and look for evidence of supernatural fruits that appear to be contrary to the natural personality.
My wife and I consider it helpful to observe our child’s burden in relation to his sin regardless of any discipline, correction, or punishment. Can a father make a child feel his sins, but that does not necessarily mean that God through His Spirit has operated by observing the times when his son hurts a brother with his words and apologizes for himself. Notice how your child comes to confess a lie before you know it, and for no other (apparent) reason that his heart and conscience have been convinced. by the Spirit.
I know it’s a complicated terrain, as a father and pastor, all of the above must be applied on a case-by-case basis. Although many of us are in different places on the spectrum, we must make efforts to avoid extremes on both sides. He finds a pleasant place in the middle, and from there be wise, evaluates honestly and prays that the merciful God, who regenerates adults, young people and children, will grant you much discernment, patience, and grace.
Translation: Camila Rebeca Almeida. Crítica: Camila Rebeca Almeida. © 2016 Faithful Ministérium. All rights reserved. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br. Original: Is your child a Christian?
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