Allowing children to seek the Holy Ghost? - Page 2

Praxeas · #1 07-18-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagwood

I, myself, have a 7 y/o and 4 y/o. After witnessing (here and there) what I've seen in the past, nothing recently, I do not feel it necessary to coerce (sp?) my children into praying/seeking the Holy Ghost until they're really, honestly ready and full of questions with answers we can show them for their understanding; they're too young to be released from my accountability for one thing, IMO. Besides that, most smaller children I've seen get the holy ghost are the ones causing most of the trouble, whether in the home, church, or out on the streets. Not to broadbrush by any means, only from what I saw where was going to church at the time. Since being away from that atmosphere, I've seen far better results when the Spirit baptism is explained to allow the child to grow in their own experiences with life, sin, etc and realize how much more meaning being baptized later with the Holy Ghost really holds. To me, it almost comes across as if "the younger the child, the better chance of getting to Heaven before everyone else does." Just from what I've seen; others may not have that perception...

Personally I don't believe in strong "encouragement" for little kids to spend time at an alter begging God for the Holy Ghost

I believe in teaching kids HOW to pray, praying for others (Intercession) and offering praise and thanks giving. I believe in teaching about the Holy Ghost and letting them decide when they are ready

Hoovie · #2 07-18-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Personally I don't believe in strong "encouragement" for little kids to spend time at an alter begging God for the Holy Ghost

I believe in teaching kids HOW to pray, praying for others (Intercession) and offering praise and thanks giving. I believe in teaching about the Holy Ghost and letting them decide when they are ready

Exactly. Coercion is counterproductive in most cases I think - whether child or adult.

Hoovie · #3 07-18-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Exactly. Coercion is counterproductive in most cases I think - whether child or adult.

This is probably for a different thread or something.... but I think it should be noted that the ultimate goal of seeking the Lord is in proper perspective.

If the ultimate goal is simply "speaking in tongues" then coercion could quite effective...

Praxeas · #4 07-18-2011, 01:25 PM

BTW if you teach genuine faith and love, there should be no anxiety

acerrak · #5 07-18-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

BTW if you teach genuine faith and love, there should be no anxiety

You got that right, No one needs to be pressured todo anything, it will fall into place with faith and love tword God.

Bella1 · #6 07-20-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Personally I don't believe in strong "encouragement" for little kids to spend time at an alter begging God for the Holy Ghost

I believe in teaching kids HOW to pray, praying for others (Intercession) and offering praise and thanks giving. I believe in teaching about the Holy Ghost and letting them decide when they are ready

kingdomapostle · #7 07-18-2011, 01:23 PM

As I child I WISH I had someone to pray with me to receive the Holy Ghost. I spent many days seeking God, alone. We were baptist and my parents knew nothing about (or very little about) speaking in tongues. The little they were taught as wrong. However, I would sing around our city, so it would land me in all types of churches. I will never forget the first time I heard a preachers speaking in tongues because I asked my mother what was going on. She told me we would talk later, but could not provide me with much (other than she thought he was just putting on a show). However, in my heart, I knew I wanted to experience what the other people were feeling when they fell on the floor, cried, and spoke in tongues...etc. So I decided that since I believed in Jesus, I would pray and ask Him to fill me. He did, and at the age of 7/8 (can't remember and nobody was there to record it...they did not find out I spoke in tongues until many years later) I did speak in tongues, and operate in the gift of tongues and intepretation. However, I remember my seeking process. I would shut myself in my room, play a gospel music cd and just worship God until tears would flow down my face.

I don't remember when I actually spoke the first time! That's strange and I wish I could be like my friends that can tell you the date, the place, and even around the time...etc. but I do know "I HAVE HIM."

The children at the churches I am in fellowship with are encouraged to seek the Lord, praise the Lord...etc. but they are not made to do anything. They are just encouraged to be kids. Usually though, they get filled at a very early age and its during the praise or during the altar call. ITS BEAUTIFUL and should never turn into anything other than that...it grieves my heart deeply to hear otherwise.

deltaguitar · #8 07-18-2011, 01:47 PM

OK, well, I didn't mean to make it sound like I was being forced to get the Holy Ghost. I could see how that would be misunderstood.

But there was a lot of preaching about hell and heaven and as a child I wanted to go to heaven and not burn in hell. Also, every other child around me had received it. No one ever forced me or even asked me for that matter.

But I wanted what everyone else had. They looked like they were full of joy and so happy. From my perspective, my mom and dad both spoke in tongues, I wanted God's spirit. That was the only way I knew to get it.

So, I went to the altar and cried and pleaded. I was instructed that once I had completely turned my life over to God and given him complete control I would speak in tongues. Imagine the difficulty, as a young child, wanting to give God all of myself and then feeling rejected and turned down. I didn't know how to give him anymore. So I cried, and pleaded, and begged.

All the while those around me said, "Look at the power of God on him" or "look at the joy on his face". I didn't have joy. I had confusion and anxiety and fear. I was talking to a person who has known me for many years and he mentioned that I was turning my back on the Holy Ghost. I asked him how he could say that and he said because he had seen me speak in tongues and knew that I got the Holy Ghost. Now, if I fooled myself and everyone around me into thinking that I wonder how many others are out there who would attest to never speaking in tongues.

I know that there is one guy who used to be on this forum that has had an experience very close to mine and his dad was a professor at one of the largest UPC colleges. He claims that he never spoke in tongues either.

Am I really the only person who will admit this? I had talked to some of my close friends and they will confirm that they felt the same thing. I asked if they would allow their kids to participate in a pentecostal alter service and I have been met with agreement that they don't view it as healthy.

I am not sure how I am broadbrushing the movement. I am not just talking about the UPC but I know the same thing happens in the AOG and Church of God. Most of my bad experiences didn't happen in my home church. It happened at the Mississippi District UPC youth camp where there were big time evangelist and many churches represented. I know I was not the only one there who went through these things.

Praxeas · #9 07-18-2011, 01:51 PM

UPC blah blah UPC blah blah..no nobody is hung up on the UPC. They've all moved on haven't they?

deltaguitar · #10 07-18-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

UPC blah blah UPC blah blah..no nobody is hung up on the UPC. They've all moved on haven't they?

Do I really sound that bad? Are my questions not legitimate? I am not bashing or hating. I am just wondering if there are any who feel the need to protect their children from this type of environment.