Mark started a sermon series on Ephesians a week ago. Yesterday, he was preaching on Ephesians 1:3-12. It wasn’t really an expositional sermon, but a sort of overview of the doctrine of predestination. I sit with all 3 of our children during worship. Some who read this might think that children should act like little adults in church, and they should never be given external things to do, etc. I am not of that mindset. (Of course, if they started acting like little adults in church next week, I wouldn’t complain). I try to teach them to sit still when others are sitting still, to sing when others sing, respond when others respond, etc. But it isn’t an easy task. Yesterday, I resorted to giving them each a little bag with sweet tarts and jelly fruits during the sermon. It kept them still for about half of the sermon, so that wasn’t too bad. However, my boys seemed to be especially wiggly during the whole service.
When the service was over, my oldest son who is 6, said, “Mom, I am sorry I disobeyed during the service.” I said, “I forgive you Calvin, but if you are really sorry, you will do better next week.” He replied, “Ok, Mom, but it was in God’s plan for me to be disobedient.” I said, “Well, I guess at least you listened to some of Dad’s sermon.”
Great story Jenn. I guess you could also tell Calvin that this punishment is a part of God’s plan as well. 🙂
I can’t wait to have wonderful conversations like that with my children!
Wise words from an experienced Mom! (And an observant child…)
I’m glad to read posts like this. It makes me feel that all is not lost with Bailey…
Sounds like it’s time to balance the predestination with free will to obey or not to obey…:-) Kids are a lot smarter that we give them credit for!
While I’m sure that your children are precious and you and your husband are exemplary parents, your child’s remark, “It was in God’s plan for me to be disobedient” illustrates the fallacy of the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. God wants all persons to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4)and is no respector of persons (Acts 10:35). John Calvin’s assertion that God predestines man’s behavior would mean that according to Gen. 6:5-6, it grieved God that the antediluvians behaved in the way that God fore-ordained! Actually, what the Bible teaches in Ephesians is that God predestined the plan to save man, including the character of those who would be in Christ’s body–“zealous for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Man is a free moral agent–see Josh 24:15: “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve”
Dan Wheeler
Orlando, FL
407.423.4301 x35