What should a mother do when her husband prevents her from raising her children in faith?

Especially when a woman turns to God, she may wake up one day when her husband opposes the biblical education that the mother of the children wants to offer. A similar situation raised a question and was addressed to me:

Hello. I would like an advice from you. I am from Moldova, but I have been living in a country in Europe for many years. I am married and have three children. My husband and his family are of Catholic religion and insist very much on following Catholic religion and traditions, insisting more on children because they are already old enough to follow the rules and traditions of the church. I do not know if it is good for children because they want to seek God, seek faith, and not religion. Please give me a wise advice; I do not want to make a wrong decision. Thank you from my heart.

As I read the question, I was thinking of Eunice, the mother of Timothy. We do not know the circumstances in which she married a Greek man, a pagan who worshiped the gods of Greek mythology. Eunice was Jewish and knew the Holy Scriptures well, but she was the wife of a pagan. I do not know how many children she had, but one of them was Timothy, and being in a complicated religious context, she managed to bring up Timothy to be a great servant of God. How did she do that?

Teach children the Bible

In the second epistle to Timothy, apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

How did Timothy come to know the Holy Scriptures? It is the merit of his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois, who made the effort to teach him. So do you. Do not argue with your husband anymore. If he wants to take children to the church or wants them to make certain ordinances and traditions that you do not share, he also has the same rights over the child, and you can not stop him. There is no need to oppose it or to create disagreements. Start teaching your children the Bible. If you do not know how, then I recommend you to get the manuals of the series “Discover 4 Yourself”, as they are exceptional materials for studying the Holy Scriptures. Start studying daily and do not deviate from this discipline. This practice will build a strong and sincere faith in the children. Another important thing is to …

Live and show a true faith to your children

Mother and grandmother of Timothy did so, and we know this from the words of Paul who wrote,

For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. (2 Timothy 1:5)

The living example of faith of parents will leave a strong footprint on the children who watch closely. And if you have such faith, your children will want to follow you and have a true faith, not a religion.

Invite your husband to study Bible when you study with your family. I hope he would want to join. Moreover, if your husband will see the beautiful faith that you live, it is highly probable that he will also be won over in true faith in Christ and not remain in an empty religion because it is written,

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. (1 Peter 3:1-6)

May God help you to follow Him your whole life and for your children and husband to be true disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Translated by Liza Birladeanu.

Read this article in Romanian.