Hello, Im new and I need some helpful info

pmsiehl76 · #1 Feb 12, '06, 2:54 pm

i have two girls and they are curious about god and christ and all that stuff. I do not practice religion, but i want them to make up their own minds about god. I do not know how to start teaching them about god. Can someone help me please.

computerguy · #2 Feb 12, '06, 3:00 pm

Well, first of all, Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you here. Great advice can be found on these forums.

What I would do, is have them read a bible (I don't know how old your children are, so thats up to you on a childrens bible or a more advanced bible for older ones). You can probably get one at catholic.com

also, you might want to post this question in maybe the Moral Theology, Family Life, or Spirituality forums for some good answers.

Ted CharlotteNC · #3 Feb 12, '06, 3:17 pm

Let me also welcome you to these forums. It is commendble you want your children to follow God. I applaud your desire to want this for your children.

Maybe visit a local priest or take him to lunch, you buy of course, and discuss step two. Without knowing anything else about the situation makes it difficult. I can tell you the kids will best respond in a good setting with kids their own age.

God bless your efforts,

**Church Militant** · #4 Feb 12, '06, 3:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmsiehl76

i have two girls and they are curious about god and christ and all that stuff. I do not practice religion, but i want them to make up their own minds about god. I do not know how to start teaching them about god. Can someone help me please.

Hi there!
There's a great basic tract called God's Love For You that will get ya started. Then you might have a look at The Catholic Answers Library and see what all you can use. We cover an awful lot of material.

You can expose them to a translation of the Bible with all 73 books in it on The Vatican Website , and if you need anything at all else please feel free to post here or PM myself or one of the others here and we'll be very happy to help in any way we can.

By the way, don't be the only one to not be checking all this out.
After all...God loves you too!

May the peace of Christ be always with you.

pmsiehl76 · #5 Feb 12, '06, 3:45 pm

i am wondering where can i get a childrens bible? my kids are only 5 and 8. I do not understand the bible and am unable to translate it for them.

Pax · #6 Feb 12, '06, 3:49 pm

Here is a website that you can peruse for bibles and other things. You can order a children's bible at:
http://www.catholicfamilycatalog.com/

Toni · #7 Feb 12, '06, 3:56 pm

I would start with the childrens bible and work from there. Look into early catechisms start with 1st grade and work up. There are a couple that you could use that have workbooks and will help you learn as you teach. Welcome!

http://www.catholictextbooks.org/car...roup=0&child=0

http://www.ignatius.com/Textbooks/Ca...ife.aspx?SID=1&

ridesawhitehors · #8 Feb 12, '06, 4:06 pm

I would highly reccommend the old Balitmore Catechisms for educating children on the faith. They are numbered according to grade in school - are understandable and interesting with nice pictures. Very attractive to big and little kids.

In fact, as an adult convert - I found them VERY helpful in learning about the church.
You can order them here...........

http://www.getfed.com/display_result...w=yes&keyword=[baltimore+catechism]

dragonfly · #9 Feb 12, '06, 4:08 pm

Hello, good to have you here.

I would suggest this:
I would start first w/ a question to your girls. Ask them, "well Sweetie, what do you know about God?? They will tell you what they have heard, obviously they heard something somewhere to even want to know about it.
Then you can simply ask them: "what are you learning in science right now that teaches you about the earth and how it was created? and so forth

This will start things. And of course, it depends on your girls' ages, if they are in school and their comprehension levels. If you want them to learn things and be able to make their own decisions, and you are not a hard core atheist raising your children that way, then it would imperative that while discussing this w/ them; you do not impose your thoughts or beleifs.

Give them both sides. Stories of evolution and the big bang theory, all the facts, then give them stories about the bible starting w/ creation and moving on to Jesus which will bring up Heaven and so forth.

how old are the girls?? Then I can better elaborate here.

joyfulmess · #10 Feb 12, '06, 5:14 pm

Hello, glad to have you here ! Your girls are 5 and 8 years old so NO you don't want to confuse them with "evolution" as was suggested earlier on this forum. They have to have a very simple introduction to religion. They are young. Do you have a bookstore there that has the Catholic Bible for children? Thats where I would start. Take it slow and don't overwhelm them with too much information at once. Read it to them in a simlpe language they can understand ( thus the Childrens version ) and answer questions along the way. Even people that have been Christians all their life don' t have all the answers, so don't worry. Just be honest and tell them you're not sure what the answer is but you'll try to find it for them. That way you can learn together. What a wonderful parent you are to undertake this spiritual journey with your daughters.

joyfulmess · #11 Feb 12, '06, 5:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmsiehl76

i am wondering where can i get a childrens bible? my kids are only 5 and 8. I do not understand the bible and am unable to translate it for them.

The Wal-Mart here carries a Childrens bible for $9.98. Check yours.

dragonfly · #12 Feb 12, '06, 6:12 pm

ok, so they are young!! I was thinking they were older. So my first suggestion on science would be COMPLETELY INCORRECT! They are way too young and would be very confused.

Stories from children's Bible would help greatly. Also, you can see if they have a christian book store where you live, they have a lot of great books!! And they have VEGIE TALES!!! These are great for young ones to watch, I've even found myself watching them!! They are cute, and each one has a lesson from scripture! Check them out.

If you know any adults who are christians or better yet, catholic, you can ask them if they would mind bringing your girls to church w/ them. That would serve as a great way to get the girls on their spiritual quest.