A Prodigal Child

A Prodigal Child

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Today's message is for parents, and to give them encouragement. The most important job God has given you is to lay a spiritual foundation in the lives of your children. I understand that many of you may be diligent in getting your children to church, teaching them to pray, reading the Bible together, and talking to them about Jesus, which is what you need to do. I am sure this is what the father in the story of the prodigal son thought as he had taught his son the best he could, but his son rebelled and went a different way. In our culture today, we are seeing many of the youth rebel, and turn from the way their parents raised them. If you find yourself in this situation, and your children have turned from God, and going their own way, there are several things you must continue to do. Pray continually for them each day that they will turn back to God, like the prodigal son did. Get even closer in your own relationship with God. Have the church, your friends, and your family pray for them. This is the time that you need to be the extreme example of having God in your life. When you interact with your children, they need to see God at all times in you, in all your actions, your behavior, in everything you do. They need to know that you still love them, but that you don't condone the lifestyle they are following. They may continue to rebel, but remember that they are not going to be blessed by God during this rebellious time. They are going to have hardships and trials and troubles, and will at some point want to return to the way they were raised. When they do, welcome them back.