Fan the Flame of a Family Faith

I am a BUICK—a Brought Up In Church Kid. I was blessed with parents who stayed together, taught me right from wrong, prayed and held hands around the dinner table, and consistently modeled godly values. As the father of three, I have tried to bring up my own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Yet despite the many blessings of a Christian upbringing, I'm convinced that "cradle Christians"—those who have known the holy Scriptures "from infancy" (2 Timothy 3:15)—face some unique struggles.

The dilemma of doubt. A cradle Christian often experiences a time of intense questioning in adolescence or adulthood, wondering, "Is my faith really my own? What do I personally believe?"

Worship burnout. After sitting through hundreds of worship services and Bible classes, cradle Christians know the routine all too well. Some of them come to church or youth group with a "been there, done that" attitude, expecting to be bored.

Shattered idealism. Church rhetoric says we exist to glory God. Church reality says we battle over budgets and nit-pick over picnics. Cradle Christians see the church up close and personal. Sometimes it isn't pretty.

Top that testimony. A cradle Christian's life-story may sound bland compared to the exciting experiences of other believers who came to Christ from drug abuse or other paths of desperation. Unlike the prodigal son, cradle Christians may identify more with the older brother who never strayed far from home.

Self-righteousness. Remember the rich young ruler? When Jesus reminded him about God's commandments, he boasted, "Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy" (Mark 10:20). Oh, really? Did he love God deeply enough and love his neighbors unselfishly enough? Evidently not, for he went away sad when Christ challenged him to take his commitment to the next level.

Christian parents need to prepare our children for the struggles they will encounter, and make sure our faith connects with their "real world." Discuss current issues in light of Scripture. Talk frankly about doubts. Connect with your community through school or sports events. Invite Christian and non-Christian neighbors over for dinner. Hear their questions, understand their hurts. As a family, go on mission trips together. Do service projects. Help plant a new church or assist a nearby urban ministry. Expand your children's Christian worldview.

My advice for a cradle Christian? Accept responsibility for your own personal growth in "the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

Grow in grace. Jesus said, "He who has been forgiven little loves little" (Luke 7:47). Remember how much you've been forgiven! No matter how "good" a person you are, you're still a sinner saved by God's amazing grace.

Grow in knowledge. There is always more to learn about the Lord and his love. Step up to the plate and become a Bible teacher yourself, and you'll learn more about your faith and how to share it with others.

If you were brought up in a Christian home, be thankful you got a head start in serving the Lord. But don't shrug off the truth of God simply because it's familiar. Timothy picked up a living faith from his mother and grandmother, but there came a time when he needed to fan into flame the gift of God that was in him. Maybe it's time for you to do the same.