Blog Party Alert:
Today my friend Suanne has me over on her new blog, The Rough Cut. Suanne is a great writer, and even more so, has an honest heart for seeking God that I know will inspire you. Go give her some blog love today! 
Now, today’s topic: Faith and Kids.
A couple of days ago Jason Boyett posted a blog about Doubts and Parenting that got me thinking.
I’ve wrestled with this issue a ridiculous amount. Although I’m thankful for my solid upbringing, the black-and-white brand of faith that I picked up in my childhood, the rock-solid, doubt-dispelling way I was taught about God’s will, Jesus’ action and the ways of the world couldn’t stand up to the tough questions of life. When I began to doubt and wonder about where God was in this mess, I found myself often clingly too tightly to principles and not tightly enough to the big and mysterious nature of God.
Then I read Kristin Tennant’s post on the same topic and I wanted to share a few bits from each of them:
Jason, talking about his kids:
But when they ask me about God, I’m less confident. Do I tell them what most Christians believe? Do I tell them what I used to believe? Do I tell them what I’m learning to believe now? What do I tell them when my confidence is shaky? How do I help ground their faith?
Kristin:
Ultimately, I think our kids can avoid a lot of confusion, stress and frustration if they see how doubt is an integral part of faith—not only do go hand-in-hand, they MUST go hand-in-hand. When we are taught about God in absolutes, faith is no longer required. We can rely on our intellect, logic, and a blind acceptance of what’s being said by those who are older and wiser, right? That doesn’t seem like *faith* at all. That seems like studying for a standardized test.
I liked Jason’s questions and Kirsten’s response, and one of the comments on Jason’s blog also caught my attention. The commenter said that sometimes it’s more important for him to not answer his kids with anything except “God Is.” I’ve found myself shying away from biblical indoctrination, memory verses and catechisms, but yet I see how quickly my kids can absorb so much information. I long for them to have biblical knowledge, but I’m not sure how to do it without turning it all into moralistic points. Even to talk about Jesus, I need Jesus! And I’m thinking that’s the way he intended it. Maybe it’s just not supposed to be that easy to figure out.
How about you? What do you do when you struggle with doubt but want to teach your children?
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