The age of accountability

When is the age of accountability? When does a child become lost rather than safe? How do we train our children to be godly and yet help them make a conscious choice to follow God rather than only give them a lifestyle that reaps its own good benefits because it is a healthy lifestyle? Why do people who have a visibly sinful past often seem to have a greater appreciation for salvation than those who have lived a godly lifestyle their entire life?

These questions came to mind as I was addressing a question in one of the comments. I pray that Blaine has a tender conscience toward God his entire life. I suppose the reason I said that I hoped he would choose to follow God during his teen and adult years is because that is the age of reason. The age when he becomes most aware of what he has chosen if he chooses to follow Christ. I have no objection to children inviting Jesus to live in their heart at whatever age God calls them no matter how young. I believe, however, that we do them a disservice when we leave it at that. When we make them full-fledged voting members of the church at age 6 or 10 or even 12.

I believe that a parent must be very discerning in this area. If a young child truly feels guilt for his sin and understands enough of the salvation message to give his heart to Jesus, I believe that we should help him ask Jesus to live in his heart. What a blessing for a child to be committed to God from a young age.

However, there is a difference between guilt over something he has done wrong (disobeyed, stole a cookie, mean to the dog) and the guilt of being a sinner separated from God. A parent must be discerning.

Also, when a young child becomes a Christian, I think it is important for that decision to be reaffirmed when he is older, a teenager. Different churches do it differently. Here's how I think it should happen.

I think that when a child becomes a Christian, he should be baptized after some formal instruction and become a non-voting, communion-taking part of the church. I think that during high school age, after another period of Biblical instruction, the child should be asked to confirm that decision verbally and give testimony to the church and become a voting member of the church. If, at high school age, the child has never been baptized, this would be a time for that as well. I think both stages should be important ceremonies in the life of the child and of the church. I have not been a part of any church that has done it this way, but it seems to me to take care of the weaknesses I see in many churches' current practice that either have a long period of time between the child accepting Christ and the child being baptized, or that baptize when the child is young and never have a time of instruction when the child is really old enough to benefit from it.

I have two more thoughts. First, blogging is hard because it is impossible to give a full scope to what you want to say. How does one prevent misunderstandings? A two-way conversation to the face is much easier.

Second, more on Ezzo. As Sharon mentioned, she found lots of negative on him when she did a search. I've heard that he did get into some hot water in the past, and as I understand, he's made some changes addressing those issues although I have not looked into it. As with all teachers, not everything they say is good, true, or applicable. Everything one learns should be filtered through Scripture, your own knowledge and experience, and prayer. I do not recommend that you take any expert and follow them blindly. However, I have really appreciated the teaching I have received from Ezzo's series, "Let the children come along the infant way." It has added some additional tools to my parenting toolbox.

Blaine just woke from his nap. My time is up. Pardon any misspellings.