Faith And Kids

Faith means different things to different people but for most, it implies faith in a god or a religion. I have friends who are Christian, Jewish and Muslim, many of whom found when they had children, it was a natural time of coming to terms with their own beliefs but also how it translated to their kids. Kids have tons of questions and are actually interested in issues of faith. They are curious about others and what it all means.

I recently spoke to Pastor Jay Ridenour, Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of Sudbury where we are members along with several other Framingham families. On the general topic of faith, Pastor Jay said, “Whatever faith you have or practice builds community. There is often a sense of history and ‘where we’ve been’ which gives kids the idea that they are part of something larger than them. Faith guides morality and plays a huge role in parenting.”

For our family, it’s part of daily life through prayer and weekly Bible reading and study. Every Sunday morning we pack up and head to church for worship and a time of fellowship with our congregation. Our three boys will notice neighbors and people out playing, doing yard work and riding bikes on the Sabbath, as if it were just a regular ordinary day and they have asked us about it. We have explained that we are firmly committed to giving God a few hours a week as He has given us so much and they understand that. Our faith in God has changed our lives and gotten us through many tough times and it’s been exciting for us and for the boys to see how God is actively working in many different areas of our and other’s lives.

Francine Rothkopf, Ashland mother of three, is Jewish and sends her kids to Metrowest Jewish Day School in Framingham so they are immersed in their faith throughout their school day.

 “We do a lot of in-home Jewish rituals, such as lighting Shabbat candles every week and giving each child a special blessing at that time, saying blessings over wine and challah for Friday night dinner, keeping kosher, putting up a sukkah on Sukkot, major house frenzy for Passover (including very detailed and child-friendly seders), encouraging the kids to make or collect as many chanukiyot (Chanukah menorahs) as possible, as well as attending Saturday morning services most weeks and  attending services on most holidays," she said.

The Rothkopfs are also very open about theological and philosophical discussions with the kids.  “We encourage them to explore their own thoughts about God and about how people relate to each other. My bedtime songs to them have always been Hebrew prayers, and now I find the boys often singing during the day, prayers or other Hebrew songs they have learned in school," she said.

Why not take some time this vacation week to consider your own thoughts on the topic of faith and maybe start a dialogue with your kids? You may be surprised to see where it leads you.