Raised In A Christian Home?

[tyndale1946]

Were you raised in a christian home... And if you were or were not tell us about it. If you are a young person now in a christian home tell us about that too!... Why is it special?... How is it different from your friends who are not in christian homes... For the older folks tell us about your upbringing also and how being raised or not raised in a christian home affected your life... Do you also remember your friends and their homes... Were your children raised in a christian home or are they now being raised in a christian home... And btw what is the definition of a christian home?... Brother Glen

 

[Gina B]

I'm still unsure. LOL
I'd say no?
For the most part, the most formative part of my younger years were spent in a strict and very legalistic IFB church/school setting. By the time I was 11 I rejected God with a passion.
I don't remember much of what was taught, just the rules and the punishments for not following them.
I won't blame that for the unbelief and contempt I held for Christianity for many years, but it certainly contributed toward the cause.
My best friend as a very young teen was Catholic. Her family life seemed ideal and it made me friendly toward the religion, but I also rejected it.
Judaism was always where I figured I'd end up if I ended up back in a religion. (had claimed atheism for a while) I enjoyed going to temple with grandparents and the rabbi's attitude toward answering my questions and his gentle manner and never forgot it. It just didn't happen, but when I do think some of the teachings made me more comfortable and accepting of the teachings of the LDS church I later joined.
So, I did get somewhat of a background in religion as a child, although I admit it was a confusing one, and yes it majorly influenced me. When I did start seeking God later in life I went with what I knew and felt more comfortable in legalistic and/or cult settings. I had to break free of that mindset to even begin to be able to feel or recognize truth apart from my own emotions and actions. It wasn't easy or without intense pain, and still is a tough battle at times to keep those influences out of my head so they don't confuse me.
Gina

 

[Word Traveler]

Hi Brother Glen. I'm not sure what defines a Christian home. A family that goes to church, and tries to adhere to God's commands? I was raised by my mother and stepfather, and I have very few childhood memories of church. My stepfather would have nothing to do with it. I do remember going to church with moma a couple of times, and attending Vacation Bible School once or twice. A big part of my childhood was spent in West Texas, which boasts a large Catholic influence, but moma was raised Baptist. I attended a Church of the Nazerene with a cousin when I was 10, and that's when I memorized Psalm 23 (it was some sort of contest in her Sunday school class). And, of course my most powerful memory of church was when I was saved (age 11) at another cousin's church (a Church of Christ, no less)in Ackerly, Texas! I only attended church sporadically until about 11 years ago when my daughter (then age 11) was saved Easter Sunday. That served as kind of an eye-opener for me, and praise God, conviction fell hard! I've been gung-ho about Jesus ever since! So, about half of my children's (I also have a son) lives were influenced by church. I wish I could boast that I took them to God's house every time the doors were opened, but I can't. I can see clearly that a good, Bible-based, fundamental church is an excellent influence for any family to have! Sorry for the length of this post. In Christ, WT

 

[mozier]

I was raised in a Catholic home, I can tell you that much.

There was Mass on Sunday, the occasional rosary, and more statues and saint-medallions than you could count. Mom and Dad were very good Catholics, though Dad was more loose about it than Mom was. My mother, in fact, was extremely devout (and still is), and could make the Pope look like a flaming Protestant in comparison!

So though the house was Catholic, I did get enough exposure to the idea of Christianity, so that when I did become a Christian, there was at least some foundation already there.


mozier

 

[dianetavegia]

Brother Glen, I was raised by Christian parents who hated each other but we were in church for every service and had to be very ill to miss.

We also raised our grown children in church but unlike my parents, hubby and I love each other very much. We have a 26 year old and 8 year old still at home and we're very active in our church. We don't go on Sunday nights many times tho.

I guess being raised in Church and by Christian's made my life MUCH easier. I found Jesus at a young age and was spared so much ugliness in the world. Because of my sheltered upbringing, I never strayed far from the cross.

Diane

 

[superdave]

I grew up in a christian home, and there were many advantages, like what Diane says above,

The danger of growing up in a Christian environment is two-fold. The danger of Phraiseeism and hypocrisy.

Too many times we do not educate children in their Christian walk, merely in their Christian look.

I was a professional christian by the time I was in high school, but in truth I was not walking in step with the spirit. It has taken a couple doses of real life to draw me closer to God, and the accountability from some of my friends to help me make heart changes.

Now, my parents were not at fault for that, actually I would not have come through some of that without them, and they were very careful to not make Christianity into a legalistic set of rules, but tried to teach us principles that applied to many different situations. Much of the outside infulence of church, school, etc. was what sometimes made me doubt the consistency of many "Christians"

Our pastor calls the work of many fundamental churches and schools these days "washing the pig"
an interesting analogy, and unfortunately true. We teach kids exactly what we believe is right or wrong, without teaching them and helping them develop the ability to discern for themselves when something new comes along. Teaching kids to have a heart for God is much harder than teaching them "the list"

A Christian home is a great advantage, as long as it truely is a home that draws the children and the parents closer to Christ, not just Christian in that the members of the home attend a "Christian" church.

 

[PJ]

Hi Bro. Glen. As an adult with children of my own, I appreciate being raised in a Christian home more today than ever. Though my siblings and I attended public school, we were otherwise sheltered from the world. My dad was/is a deacon and he & my mom forged on tirelessly even though my invalid grandmother (with MS) lived in our home as well as my other grandmother who fortunately was well most of the time. My parents led music, team taught and my dad would always schedule his vacations during the weeks of Vacation Bible School and Revivals. Both grandmothers were able to worship with us most of the time (both my grandfathers passed away before I was born).

My brother, sister and I never knew any other kind of life style. Christianity IS a life style, and my parents were/are an exemplary example of what Christ like is. My parents have been married nearly 50 years now and they'll never know how much we appreciate their tough love and God fearing rearing. My siblings and I never left the Lord because He never left us - just as we were taught. We are 40ish now and still, our families worship together regularly.

And yes, my children are being reared in a Christian home. I now shelter my children from the world same as my parents sheltered us. No regrets, not one, for my life is so enriched because of the love and long suffering of my parents. If I thanked/praised the Lord a million times for Christian upbringing it still wouldn't be enough, for I see the suffering of families divided and my heart breaks for them. No one could ever be more grateful than me for being raised in a Christian home ...

PJ

 

[Artimaeus]

I was raised in a Christian home. Both of my parents were REAL Christians. By that I mean they weren't just Sunday morning Christians. The were the way they were all the time. I mean they let their guard down at home a little bit (you can't sprint in a marathon). They weren't perfect but very good people. They loved us very much and told us as well as showed us and we always felt safe and secure. During my teenage years suddenly they became very legalistic, mean, and ignorant people. Then I grew up and suddenly they changed back into these nice, reasonable, loving people again.

 

[Sherrie]

[ June 21, 2003, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: Sherrie ]

 

[PJ]

Originally posted by Sherrie:
I was raised in Lutheran Children Family Services. I always wished I were the other kid when I was young. Sherrie

Bless your heart, Sherrie.

I hope that in our mission mindnesses we're reaching out to those with similar stories.

PJ

 

[Istherenotacause]

Originally posted by dianetavegia:
Brother Glen, I was raised by Christian parents who hated each other but we were in church for every service and had to be very ill to miss.

We also raised our grown children in church but unlike my parents, hubby and I love each other very much. We have a 26 year old and 8 year old still at home and we're very active in our church. We don't go on Sunday nights many times tho.

I guess being raised in Church and by Christian's made my life MUCH easier. I found Jesus at a young age and was spared so much ugliness in the world. Because of my sheltered upbringing, I never strayed far from the cross.

Diane

Now Diane, I don't mean to pick, well I guess I do.

But do "chrsitians" honestly "hate" each other?

 

[Istherenotacause]

My parents would probably try to say we were raised in a "christian" home, but since I got saved I'd have to say no we weren't.

we are not "christian" because we are born in a "christian" nation, but only Chrsiatins because we've been born again!

In His Holy Service,

Brother Ricky

 

[Dr. Bob]

Odd mixture. My mother and two aunts (we lived with a large variety of relatives in a 3BR/1Bath hold house in the inner city of Minneapolis) had been saved as an outreach neighborhood "gospel lighthouse" in the poorest of the poor neighborhoods.

Dad's family was nominally jewish as Gram (who also lived with us) came from Bohemia. We dabbled in jewish, in catholic, in baptist, and just kinda went where the action was! But at age 9 we started the SS Bus to the Baptist church and God regenerated me through the working of His Spirit.

The church, however, was very legalistic (as far as northern baptists were; NOTHING like the god-hates-slacks baptists of the south). I voluntarilly submitted to this legalism and did outward Christian works to gain respect in this affluent church (and acceptance as a snot-nosed bus kid rather than a rich deacon's kid).

Gave up movies, rock (I played in a band), cards, just about everything. Felt I was a good Christian. Bible college, seminary and a couple of churches confirmed it.

But in 1991 God's grace finally broke thru the crusts of my "christian" home and I bask in it today.

Still, however, a recovering pharisee.

 

[Sherrie]

[ June 21, 2003, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Sherrie ]

 

[Dr. Bob]

Yep. Played the string bass in a small jazz group from 63-65 (I'm 6'6" so about the same size as a bass), then "graduated" to a solid body guitar/amp.

Herman's Hermits and Beach Boys, move over.

But there's hope. I grew up.

 

[Connie Richey]

I was born & raised in a "Christian" home. [BTW Christian means Christ-like] We were at church every time the doors were open. We were involved in everything the church had that we could get involved in & my parents are still there, doing the same things. There was still a bit of hypocracy as there is everywhere, but most of my influence came from church. My pastor was Dr. Jack Hyles & when he preached, it seemed as if he was talking right to you (if you were listening). I attended our christian school from 1st grade through college. I enjoyed being part in several service groups where we learned how wonderful it is to be a servant. I also enjoyed being in singing groups where I could use my talents for the Lord's glory as well as learn alot about music. We were never allowed to wear pants, but that usually didn't bother me except when we would go to visit our relatives on the holidays & my cousins would ask why we didn't wear pants. I still to this day don't wear pants. If I had it all to do over again, I think the only thing I would change is that my Dad would not have worked so much. I think he thought that the best way to show us that he loved us was to buy us things, but we just wanted him. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents to death. I was always daddy's girl, I just wish we could have had a little more of him.
My husband & I now have 3 children of our own {15, 13, & 10}& we try to raise them in the kind of home that we feel God wants us to have. My children have their dad lots more than I did & for that I am very grateful. We have been through rough times as all families do, but I do believe that my children know that they are loved {even if they are teenagers & don't want to admit that their mom & dad are even alive }.
I am truly thankful for my rich heritage & I pray that I will leave the type of legacy that will be pleasing to the Lord.
Connie

 

[Word Traveler]

Originally posted by superdave:
Too many times we do not educate children in their Christian walk, merely in their Christian look.

What an excellent, insightful statement! In Christ, WT

 

[Shiloh]

I was born in 1949 (wow), raised in a Christian home. Went to a Church of God ...and was saved there! My family than changed churches to a IFCA church. When I was young I was introduced to many great men of God, by my father, that NOW I wish I would have have realized who they were. Men like Merrill Unger, Lehman Strauss, Andy Telford, M.R.DeHaan, John Rice and his half brother Bill and many others that had a great influence on our family.My wife and I have 8 children of our own. Three married with 8 grand children. All of our children are members of IBC's. We have two daughters still living at home (15,19) they help me take care of my wife who has become totally disabled due to a stroke four years ago. Raised in a christian home sure has had it's benefits in my life!!

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Shiloh: I was born in 1944! I believe Bro. Glen was born in 1945...so you are in good company being one of the 'older' folks.

I was not raised in a Christian home or even a religious one. My father was Catholic and made it to mass every Easter and Christmas. My mother was Presbyterian and very seldom went to church (she was usually working because my father was an alcoholic and seldom at home to provide for us).

The only time I 'saw' Christianity was when I visited the Presbyterian church with my Aunt. She was the most Christian lady I had ever met, and remained that way until the day she died.

I went to a RCC grade school and didn't like the God I was hearing about. I knew no one loved me enough to pay for a mass to get me out of purgatory so I did not have a very happy childhood. Also, I would have to confess to the priest that I had committed a sin every time I visited church with my Aunt.

My children were raised in a Christian home after I got saved and all of my grandchildren are being raised in Christian homes. Hopefully the 'non-Christian' cycle has been broken.

To me, a Christian home is a 'saved' home where everyone loves Christ and, therefore, each other.

Sue

 

[ByGrace3]

My dad was saved when I was 6 years old, and our home life changed completely. A couple of years later, he was called to preach and we moved back to his hometown of Greenville, SC for him to go to Bible college at Tabernacle Baptist College (Dr. Harold Sightler, pastor). That is where he developed the separation standards that still define my life even today.

I'm very glad to have grown up in a Christian home. God used that to protect me from much of the things that were going on in the world - drinking, smoking, drugs, premarital sex. I was very sheltered, and I was also fairly submissive to my parents. Those two things have made my life relatively easy. I don't know what it is to be physically hurt by my father or husband, or to have someone drunk in my family, or to have serious fights with my husband . . . I've been blessed to be so sheltered!

I married a man who also grew up in a Christian home. We have 3 children, ages 14, almost 12, and 10, whom we are raising much the same way we were. We are a little more conservative about dating and schooling than our parents were, but our basic convictions are the same. We get along great with both sets of our parents, which is unusual from what I've seen and heard from other couples.

Susan