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Guiding Our Children: A Parent’s Role in Spiritual and Real-World Balance
Every Sabbath after the morning service, I often see teens huddled together, glued to their phones, lost in mobile games. When older folks ask, “Have you eaten?” These kids can’t tear themselves away. It’s a clear sign of internet addiction. Even if you force them to stop, their hearts are still hooked. If their parents can’t control them, how can anyone else?
I know that whatever parents instill in their children from a young age, that’s where they will flourish — bring them before the Lord, and they will learn to fear God, become humble, and receive the riches, honor, and life that the Lord rewards. But if you feed them mobile phones and the internet, they’ll get addicted and lose touch with the real world and God. They’ll miss out on genuine connections with their parents too. The Bible says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3). We must invest time and effort in teaching them well.
As Friedrich Froebel said, “Education consists of love and example.” If a child is willing to draw near to God, someone must have brought them to gatherings; if a child loves reading, one of the parents must have accompanied them in reading or provided books and shared reading times. Similarly, if a child becomes addicted to the internet, someone must have provided those devices and set an example for them to follow.
Some people argue, “Kids naturally grab phones and turn on TVs.” Well, parents are their first teachers. If you spend more time on your phone than with them, of course they’ll mimic you. Children learn by imitating their parents from a very young age. When my daughter was little, she’d ask her dad to let her watch cartoons on his computer, leading to tears when it was time for bed. I told him, “Why let her cry? She’s too young to control herself. It’s better not to start this habit.” I also told many parents, “Without the habit of the internet, there wouldn’t be internet addiction.”
Now, we borrow books from the library and read together. At bedtime, they brush their teeth, pray, and sleep soundly. Before bed, we pray together, and my youngest daughter can recite prayers fluently. Recently, she received the Holy Spirit during the Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation in our church. As the Bible says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). We thank God’s grace and the fulfillment of His promises to my daughter.
I believe that if parents wisely and lovingly use the wisdom and love given by God, set a good example in teaching their children, and lead them closer to God and to the church, accompanying them on the Lord’s path, their children’s lives will be blessed by the true God.
We warmly invite you to come to the Chicago True Jesus Church’s Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation in September.
September 26-29, 2024
Thursday, September 26,2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, 27-28 September, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Our church’s address is as follows:
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
Google Maps
In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org