I can’t seem to get my parents interested in true Christianity
Question:
Hello,
I could really use some advice. I am wanting to make a move to one of the churches that you recommended, but my parents don't share my enthusiasm about trying to follow Christ's teachings accurately. Less than half an hour ago my mom told me she would rather finish a movie than read the Bible when I prompted her about it. My dad doesn't seem like he wants to make an attempt to remove certain sins from his life such as chewing tobacco, swearing, and other habitual things. If I tell my parents that I suddenly want to go to a different church because I find the current one is inaccurate I imagine it is going to raise some conflict. I realize I need to love God more than my parents but how should I handle this situation? I am not a very confrontational person by nature and just not really sure how to do deal with all this. Any advice you could offer would be very much appreciated.
Answer:
I think a small part of the problem is that you want your parents to change with you. I agree that it would make things easier, but most of the time you have to show other people the way by going first. If you want to read the Bible, then do so. Invite your mom to join you, but if she isn't interested, then go ahead and do so anyway by yourself. Later, if something reminds you of a passage you read, mention it but don't make it into an issue. The same thing goes with your dad. Set an example by not swearing, using tobacco, or getting into other bad habits. It is the same concept taught by Peter to wives of non-Christians. "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (I Peter 3:1-2).
In the same vein, you'll probably have to go first in finding a better church to attend. Ask your parents if you might visit a church service or two. If you find what is being taught is accurate, you can tell your parents that you would like to attend that church. If need be, you probably can find someone at the church to give you a ride. Even if your parents are strongly opposed, you can still continue to learn, make changes in your life, and prepare to become a faithful Christian when the choice is available to you. Another consideration is that if your parents don't attend a church regularly or only at certain times, is to go to the church you prefer when your parents don't plan on going.
What will happen over time is that your parents will see the improvements in you and your dedication to God and with that find more reason to trust your judgment about your desire to be a New Testament following Christian.
