Being a teacher and a youth volunteer, you get to observe teenagers and parents in many different arenas of life. I believe if you asked most Christian parents what they want most for their kids lives they would respond with " I want my kid to love Jesus" Great response. But I have noticed over the 17 years of doing youth ministry rarely is this reflected in the way the parents are raising their kids. It also makes me evaluate what I am doing with my own kids. How can kids grow in their faith if church and youth group is not a number one priority? How can we say we want our kids to be strong followers of Jesus if we allow them to skip church because of homework or sports? 20 years from now is the investiment of time we had them make in other activities outside of church going to be worth it?
In youth group we are all trying to read the Bible for 48 days straight. There is one family I know of who is doing this together. Reading a passage of scripture together and discussing it. This is an investment that is eternal. This investment will affect them for the rest of their lives.
Am I investing in my kids eternal life? Am I making the things that really matter a priority? Or am I giving into the culture where grades and sports reign higher than God?
Any thoughts???
Monday, February 9, 2009
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3 comments:
AMEN!!!! I know many parents will tell me that "Well, the problem is the traveling leagues are on Sundays." or something along those lines. They say this with remorse in their voices. Yet, if enough parents would refuse to participate on Sunday mornings, it would change.
I agree with you whole-heartedly Diane. Same with scripture reading or memorization, if we aren't willing to lead by our example, how can we expect our children to do it.
Good thoughts!
Diane: This is one of the reasons we chose to teach our children at home, and to keep them close and have 100% of the control over their educational influences.
Our *only* goal for our children is that they love Jesus. Everything else is gravy. And while there are Christian schools some places which can help parents keep children focused on Jesus as Lord over *all things* we like having them close to us.
These are hard choices and sometimes giving something up because something else is more important is a necessary sacrifice. It is often on my way to church with my family that I remember spending all day Sunday at a swim meet when I was young and I am thankful that my children do not know of a time where we found some other activity more important on the Lord's Day than meeting with our savior.
May God bless you as you minister to your children and others at Grace as you work through these tough and emotionally charged issues!
Diane,
I hear you and agree with you "big picture"-wise. But I think we need to be careful not to evaluate our programs-- whether children's ministry or youth minsitry-- to the level of an essential.
I think if we make a mistake if we make attendance to these programs as a litmus-test of a parent's care for their child.
Better questions:
1) Is the parent actively leading their child spiritually?
2) Is the program a valuable supplement to what the parent is doing in the home?
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