As a child, we may go through the motions in church; wanting to participate in church activates, worship God and even praying, all for selfish reasons. But when we establish a direct communication with God, everything changes.
In the store of the priest Jehoiada and the child king Joash, there is a contrasts between one who communicates with God and one who is only a follower. Jehoiada had a positive influence over Joash, so that Joash turned his back against the evil of his parents. But after Jehoiada passed away, Joash who didn't have a relationship with God, returned to that evil. "Because you have forsaken the Lord, He will forsaken you."
If our children need to have more than a "church" experience. they need personal experience with God, not just a knowledge of Him. What is God trying to do with our hearts? What are the godly "Family Values"? In our Santa Clarita society, everything must look good on the outside, but inside all is a mess.
Are we showing our children how to worship freely? Are we teaching our children to listen for God's voice? They sometimes learn late on their own, only to return to teach the parents. "Standing next to my father during a worship service I was worried that my Dad would see me worshiping with my hands raised. But for the first time I saw my dad raise his hands in worship."
