Letter Lesson 2

Letter/Lesson #2

Dear Member,

Is It True That You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover?

She was a beautiful young woman. Her eyes were bright and appeared as soft and gentle as a mourning dove; her hair was luxuriously thick, shiny, and black. She was slender, poised, and sweet looking, yet there was a quality of strength about her. Her husband possessed many of the same physical features and characteristics, almost a male mirror image. Their six-year-old daughter was bubbling over with childlike enthusiasm. It was evident that when this little girl grew up, she would be even lovelier than her mother.

No wonder the television interviewer wanted to know more about this perfect-looking family. His first question was directed to the daughter, “Honey, what do you want to be when you grow up?” She answered ever so softly, “When I grow up, I want to strap bombs on my body and blow up infidels.” Stunned, the interviewer asked, “Who are the infidels?” She instantly and confidently answered, “The Americans and the Jews.” The interviewer looked at the mother and asked, “How does this make you feel?” “Very proud,” she answered. Behind her the father was smiling, nodding in agreement. Looking back to the little girl, the interviewer continued, “But honey, you would also blow up yourself.” Again responding quickly, the child replied, “I don’t care because I want to be a martyr.”

Unbelievable!

Shocked beyond belief by this story, I realized how easy it is to be fooled by outward appearances. This lovely, exuberant little girl had been trained since she was a baby to hate so intensely that she was destined to destroy, to commit murder and suicide. In like manner, her parents had been trained by their parents, and so on back through generations. Since the training started at birth, the hate had become so strong that senseless violence was considered a virtue. This terrorist family is living proof how the principles of Proverbs 22:6, when abused, can work for evil. The following thought is so powerful it gave me chills when the total truth of it first came to me: if the principles of Proverbs 22:6 can be applied and abused (starting in infancy) to make a child do such evil without regard for his/her life, much less the lives of innocent people, would not these same principles work for tremendous good? The good news is, praise God, they do! In fact, that’s what God promises when a child is “trained up” according to godly, Christian principles. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

By God’s Grace!

My wife, Linda, and I knew the “way” we wanted our son to “go” was to be a Christian–more than to be successful in business, more than to be independently wealthy, more than to be popular, handsome, or intelligent. Although we prayed for Jon to be healthy and successful, his being a true Christian would assure eternal life. A Christian life also means having an overcoming, joyous life while on earth. We knew that for Jon to become a really, very, very smart kid, being a Christian would provide the foundation and wisdom for his being really, very, very smart in everything, including choices about his health, education, and in knowing the Lord’s will. I believe all Christian parents want the same for their children. Don’t you?

What Are the Statistics About a Person Becoming a Christian?

In CBA Marketplace Magazine (the magazine of Christian Booksellers Association) the following amazing study was reported: “Research from Barna Research Group reveals that if a person hasn’t accepted Christ as Savior before age 14, the likelihood of his or her ever doing so greatly diminishes. Based on a sampling of more than 4200 young people and adults throughout the United States, the data shows children between 5 and 13 have a 32% probability of becoming Christian, while young people 14 to 18 have only a 4% likelihood of doing so. Adults age 19 and up have only a 6% probability.”

So What Should Christian Parents Do?

Children’s church and Bible schools are wonderful, but don’t depend on them to lead your children to Christ. I personally have observed children repeating the sinner’s prayer without it being reality to them. The children were doing what they thought would make their parents or teachers happy. The conversion to Christianity needs to be totally true and real.

In the study I quoted, the percentage (32%) of children ages 5 to 13 becoming Christian is great. But what about the other 68%? What happened to them? I believe the other 68% were not “trained up” to “go” the “way” of the Christian faith.

Look at the first part of Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go…“

How To Train Up Your Child to Be a Christian

and Make that Conversion Genuine and Lasting

Here’s the beginning of that process. The following eleven Bible scriptures are an extremely important part of the plan. This is so exciting!

Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Based on Joel 2:32)
1 John 5:11 “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Matthew 13:31-32 “Another parable He put forth to them saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.’”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
2 Timothy 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 13:5 “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

Prayerfully read these scriptures to your baby, as we did to Jon. His/her mind may not be mature enough to totally understand the blessings of these scriptures, but his/her spirit does. One mother told me she sings scripture to her children, often making up a tune at the moment. Music is a powerful, effective means of touching the spirit at any age.

In the Bible

There’s a story in the Bible that proves a child’s spirit responds even in the womb. This story is found in Luke 1:39-44. Mary, as the mother-to-be of Jesus, was visiting her relative Elizabeth, soon to be the mother of John the Baptist. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb for joy because his spirit knew that Jesus the Lord, King of Kings, and Savior of the world, was in Mary’s womb.

Life-Saving Seeds!

As you read the scriptures listed above to your baby, pray diligently that he/she will receive the wonderful, life-saving seeds of the blessings in the scriptures and will be saved. As time goes by, you and others will need to nurture and water the seeds that have been planted. That’s what we did with Jon. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

When you and your child start to have conversations, read together and discuss the meanings of these scriptures according to the Christian faith. If you’re in doubt, go to your minister or one you know to be faithful to God’s Word. Explain to him/her what you’re attempting to do and ask for help in understanding the meaning of these scriptures. Don’t let a day go by without reading, discussing, and affirming these scriptures with your child. Your spouse and other family members can help with this, too. Add other scriptures, as you feel led, that define and explain a Christian’s faith. I certainly didn’t give you a complete list. Search the Bible for verses, and by all means, ask your minister.

Keep the process going until your child responds by asking Jesus to come and live in his/her body and direct his/her life.

What IF?

What if your child doesn’t respond by the time he or she reaches that critical 5 to 13 age bracket? At various times you can have discussions with your child about giving his/her life to Jesus. Preachers give invitations during church services, which could give your child opportunities to make decisions. The main thing is for your child’s conversion to be genuine and for you not to force a desired action by demanding just a repetition of words. Jon was five when he accepted Christ as his Savior. It was real, and over all these years he has not departed from it.

If you do the plan suggested above, you’ll have initiated an essential, vital strategy for the salvation of your child, which is your responsibility as a Christian parent. And remember you can’t save; only Jesus can. As a parent you plant and water; God brings the harvest.

“Pray Without Ceasing”

Along with the Bible reading, parents must continually pray, pray, pray some more, and keep on praying! Pray with and for your mate; pray with and for your child. Pray for wisdom and knowledge, discernment and guidance both for yourself and for your children. This scripture bears repeating: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

What could be more in God’s will than salvation itself? Of course He wants your child to be saved, and we have the promise from Him that He will hear you and grant your request.

Please, Please Don’t Stop!

Once a decision for Christ has been made, don’t stop or let up one bit in your efforts of scripture reading and prayer. That decision makes one a believer, but your child must become a follower as well. Discuss and expand appropriately at different stages of your child’s development, and keep that precious soul “going” and “following” on the “narrow way.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

No Regrets

Many times I’ve heard people say at funeral services, “I wonder if he/she was a Christian? I wish I’d had more chances to witness to him/her.” By God’s grace, no one will ever have such questions about you or your children, and you will never have to look back with guilt and remorse because your child did not become a Christian or you did not do your part. We did our job with Jon by planting and watering. God brought the increase!

God’s Promise for You and Your Child

Look at the second part of Proverbs 22:6. It offers this promise from God Himself: “…And when he is old he will not depart from it.” In other words, start the training in salvation and Christianity when your children are babies, review and reinforce frequently, saturate them with diligent prayer, and their Christianity will stick like glue. Being a Christian will be an integral part of their lives when they grow up. That’s your promise for the future of you children, and it’s straight from God!

A Confirmation

Billy Graham was asked this question: “We don’t believe our children should have religion crammed down their throats, but should be free to make up their own minds about it when they get older. But some of our relatives say we ought to give them religious instructions now. Are they right?”

Billy Graham answered, “Let me ask you a question: Do you do this with other areas of your children’s lives? Do you, for example, let them make up their own minds whether or not it’s a good idea for them to go out and play in a busy street, or swallow pills from your medicine cabinet, or play with some open cans of paint? I seriously doubt it.”

“Why then, should you neglect the most important relationship they can ever have—which is their relationship with God? God created them, and He put them here for a purpose. More than that, He loves them and He wants them to love Him in return. He loves them so much that He wants them to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Can you think of anything more important? This is why Jesus rebuked His disciples when some of them tried to keep children from Him: ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ (Mark 10:14) These words are for you as well.”

“I can’t help but wonder, however, if the real issue here is your own attitude toward God. Is He important to you—or is He only an occasional thought? Don’t neglect your own soul, but turn to Christ and open your heart to Him. Then ask Him to help you teach your children about His love and the plan He has for their lives.” These are strong but true words from Dr. Graham.

What Do You Believe?

As a Christian, what do you believe is the way for your child to “go?” Proverbs 22:6 is saying that you as a parent have both the responsibility and the power to decide the path you want your child to follow in the decision to be a Christian. Then he/she will want the same for his/her child, and decisions for Christ will be repeated over and over in future generations.

What About Jon?

Our son was five years old when he asked Jesus Christ to save him. It was real to him, and it stuck! Jon and his wife are both an important part of their church and their community. The moment Jon became a Christian he became a really, very, very smart kid. So can your child. When and how that happens depends a great deal upon you.

Moving On To the Next Letter/Lesson

The next letter/lesson will look at ways to train your child to be really, very, very smart concerning physical health–specifically, a healthy lifestyle that lasts a lifetime!

Until then, please email me at [email protected] with any questions, comments, thoughts, or suggestions you may have.

God bless,

Paw Paw

P.S. You may want to print this and future letter/lessons to form your own “Tomorrow’s Heroes Library” for you and your family. Beyond this, you may want to consider adding your personal notes, thoughts, and insights to customize this program to fit your family.

Edited by DC

Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures quotations are from

the New King James Version.