Is Christianity Hereditary?

>> Happy Sunday. Today's verse from Proverbs is fairly controversial. You likely know this verse very well. If you're a parent, it's likely that you've committed this verse to memory.

If you've had rebellious children or a rebellious child, it's likely that you're confused and even somewhat angered by this. What verse is it? Proverbs 22:6. Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. I know the answer to the question even before I ask. Have you seen kids from the same household, raised by the same parents, same circumstances, turn out to be totally opposite? Of course, you have.

I know some Christian parents who have some questionable offspring. I also know some fine Christians that were raised by awful people. What gives? Let me first say that Proverbs 22:6 is a great blueprint.

Train up a child in the way that he should go, she should go, is a great principle. However, this is not a promise. It's a proverb. While it's very probable that children that are taught about Jesus from an early age will become believers, it's not 100% guaranteed.

We know all know of a little thing called free will. Christianity is not hereditary. Belief in Jesus cannot be passed down through DNA. A personal confession must be made by each individual.

With that out of the way, the words of Proverbs 22:6 provide great teaching. Parents should teach their children about Jesus. Christianity should be modeled in the home. If your kids are in church, that's great.

Let's say they're in church 3 hours a week. That leaves 165 hours a week that they're not in church. Now, thank God I was raised in a Christian family. We were in church whenever the doors were opened.

Since my father was my pastor, I was in church even more than most. I had a great foundation. However, it's fair to say that my faith came from home. My parents modeled for me how Christians were to live.

I wanted what they had. As time went on, Genie and I, after we were married, were blessed with two great children. We taught them about Jesus, and thank God they are both believers. I've seen parents say that they will let their kids pick out their own faith, forge their own paths.

Usually, when that is said, there's no religious training whatsoever. None. Kids are given no foundation. It's funny that the kids are enrolled at school to learn, enrolled in sports to learn, enrolled in music or art, fill in the blank, yet to some, religious teaching is totally avoided, and that is totally wrong.

In the book of Deuteronomy, in chapter 5, we read of Moses sharing the Ten Commandments with the children of Israel. That chapter ends with these words. Moses told the people, "You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instruction in every detail. Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow.

Then, you will live long and prosperous lives in the land that you are about to enter and occupy." As chapter 6 unfolds in Deuteronomy, Moses talks about the responsibility to children and to future generations of the parents. He says this. "These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you.

You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. And you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey.

What Moses is really saying is train up a child that in the way that they should go and go that way yourself. As you know, some listened and some did not. That's still true today. Some train children in the way that they should go and some do not.

If you've done your best as a parent and your child has become a believer, be thankful. Be very thankful. If you tried your best and your child has chosen not chosen the right path, be prayerful. I've known many who camped out on fool's hill for a long time and they came back to the fold.

And when they grew up, they remembered. They did not truly depart. Today, I'm done raising children. I have grandchildren that I pray for seemingly around the clock.

My number one prayer is their relationship with God. It's that important. Pray with me. Father, for those of us that had Christian parents, we are grateful.

For those of us that have Christian children, we are grateful. We pray for the generations behind us. We pray for men and women of God to do the right thing. We pray for churches, for their ministries, for vacation Bible schools and Sunday schools and just all the activities that churches offer to kids.

We pray for a revival in this land among that generation and help our generation to show them the way. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. God bless.

Thanks for joining me today. Have a great week.