The Importance of Our Childhood Home

Children who grow up in a home where they experience true, genuine Christianity receive values that will stay with them the rest of their lives. It is not easy for them to forsake their belief in God, even if they do not have a calling to be a disciple or the bride of Christ. In any case, they have a great advantage in having received such a glorious foundation for the rest of their life—a foundation that few people are fortu­nate enough to receive here on earth. Their childhood king­dom will have become a small part of the kingdom of heaven, where the children experience being surrounded by God’s love. Later on in life, when they remember their mother and father, they will have a picture within of God’s unceasing care, goodness and love—the things they experienced from their parents.

It is written about the saints of old that they lived peace­fully in their homes. Jesus also gave His disciples peace: “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” If children always experience this peace, it will give them an as­surance and confidence that will contribute to forming their future character. They experience something of the kingdom of God. The life they have witnessed will be their light and will give them a basis for understanding what is important to God and what is less important. They learn to know God’s heart. 1 John 2:12-14. This is an inheritance that is worth a thousand times more than all earthly gold and riches.

We prefer that our children grow up in the real world, so we send them to regular schools, and we do not aspire to live a life that could be compared to a “spiritual greenhouse.” Jesus’ prayer was, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15.

If children grow up in a home where there is living Chris­tianity, then when the time is ripe, they will normally choose this life.

There is a vast difference between growing up in a home with rules and regulations and parents who are weighed down with earthly worries, and one in which you experience living Christianity where the Word springs forth like a foun­tain of life from your parents. I grew up in such a home myself and know other friends who have done the same. For us, the kingdom of childhood was a kingdom of heaven. In good homes there is a fantastic freedom, and there is no pressure of any kind. You can speak freely and discuss all sorts of sub­jects about anything that is going on in society. Life comes forth, and the Word is not bound. No topic of conversation is forbidden or taboo.

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4. Parents must accept their children and respect them just as they are. It is damaging and frustrating when mothers or fathers are dissatisfied with their children. People can fool­ishly set goals for their children that are virtually unattain­able. Our task is, rather, to make things easy for them and to work together with them and help them succeed in the things that are natural for them; for example, when it comes to choosing an occupation. Children are all different. Enjoy them just as they are, and be along in helping them to de­velop. You can also be a good guide for them regarding what sort of literature they should read, without lording it over them or dominating them. We must not judge one another concerning the liberty we give our children. That is the par­ents’ responsibility, and no one else should meddle in it.