WHAT ARE WE THINKING
George Barna has reported a study that found Christian parents were not struggling with Spiritual things in raising their kids. They struggle with imparting morality, responsibility, honesty, and work ethic, but not so much spiritual things. Is it any wonder that some studies point that as many as 70% of those who are part of a Church as a teen drop out in their 20's --never to return.
About the only time parents visit the pastor or youth pastor about their kids is when they have gotten in trouble. Then the attitude is often: "You fix them, it's your job." (Unspoken is that it is the Church's fault.)
Why are we not more serious about instilling spiritual things in our kids? It is hard to teach what we either do not have or will not cultivate. If I want my kids to value Christ and His Church, I must value Christ and His Church. If I want my kids to see this in my life, I must model it for them. Going to Church once a month does not teach the importance of Church. Church on Sunday after being worldly on Saturday will not build strong Christian kids. As a matter of fact it only adds to their conclusion that its all a joke that should be forgotten.
I happen to live in a "dry county." That means no alcohol sales. Our county also has a fairly high teen drinking problem. Their number one source of alcohol? Parents ice chest, liquor cabinet, refrigerator.
Now for the good news. Some parents get it. There are some young families in our church that get it. They understand that the most important thing to pass on to their kids is a vibrant faith in Christ. They are struggling with how to do it, but struggling is often a good thing. There are some who are making lifestyle changes, career changes, financial decisions based on how it all fits in the Christian life. That excites me. It also challenges me as a parent. The other good news is that some youth get it, too. I see some youth who are taking a stand because of their faith. Some that are changing goals, college plans, college majors because of their faith (and sometimes their parents do not get it).
The Christian life is 24/7. It affects everything we are and do. Paul told the Christians at Corinth that they were "living letters" open and read by everyone that show the power of the Gospel of Grace. When we make it anything less - "What are we thinking?" The first generation that moved into the promised land made some compromises that doomed their kids. What were they thinking. In the next year we will hear 1,000 times about the national debt or the health care crisis or the global warming danger that we are passing on to the next generation, but that pales in comparison to the spiritual legacy we are leaving.
About the only time parents visit the pastor or youth pastor about their kids is when they have gotten in trouble. Then the attitude is often: "You fix them, it's your job." (Unspoken is that it is the Church's fault.)
Why are we not more serious about instilling spiritual things in our kids? It is hard to teach what we either do not have or will not cultivate. If I want my kids to value Christ and His Church, I must value Christ and His Church. If I want my kids to see this in my life, I must model it for them. Going to Church once a month does not teach the importance of Church. Church on Sunday after being worldly on Saturday will not build strong Christian kids. As a matter of fact it only adds to their conclusion that its all a joke that should be forgotten.
I happen to live in a "dry county." That means no alcohol sales. Our county also has a fairly high teen drinking problem. Their number one source of alcohol? Parents ice chest, liquor cabinet, refrigerator.
Now for the good news. Some parents get it. There are some young families in our church that get it. They understand that the most important thing to pass on to their kids is a vibrant faith in Christ. They are struggling with how to do it, but struggling is often a good thing. There are some who are making lifestyle changes, career changes, financial decisions based on how it all fits in the Christian life. That excites me. It also challenges me as a parent. The other good news is that some youth get it, too. I see some youth who are taking a stand because of their faith. Some that are changing goals, college plans, college majors because of their faith (and sometimes their parents do not get it).
The Christian life is 24/7. It affects everything we are and do. Paul told the Christians at Corinth that they were "living letters" open and read by everyone that show the power of the Gospel of Grace. When we make it anything less - "What are we thinking?" The first generation that moved into the promised land made some compromises that doomed their kids. What were they thinking. In the next year we will hear 1,000 times about the national debt or the health care crisis or the global warming danger that we are passing on to the next generation, but that pales in comparison to the spiritual legacy we are leaving.
posted by Steve Young at 8:11 AM
1 Comments:
Steve, you are so right. As I work with the teen girls at Haven Heights I keep telling them "If I can teach them to love God's Word I will feel like I succeeded as a teacher and that they will be a success for the rest of their life."
It brakes my heart to see what some of these kids are growing up with. Very few of them have both parents and most of them that have only one parent in the home don't bring them to church or teach them anything spiritual and even very few morals or ethics. Even when the teens come to church they don't understand what respect for God's house or real worship is all about. They seem to only want salvation like a fire insurance policy but don't understand what it means to make Him the Lord and master of their life. After 4-5 years of working with them on Sunday nights I finally feel we are making some progress. I pray they can see in me the difference Jesus can make in a life. I always tell them that my opinion doesn't count only what God's Word says is important and real.
Thank you for your faithfulness. Keep on keeping on for Jesus. God bless you and your family.
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