My friend, Janet Thompson, is sharing such an important post here today. It’s so easy to get caught up in other things as we parent our kids: their grades, their activities, etc. But I love Janet’s reminder to focus on THE most important task first.
She’s also giving away her BRAND NEW book to one of you, so make sure and read to the end and enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post. I had the honor of sharing a portion of my story in her book. I know Janet’s heart, and I know you will be blessed by her words.
So…without further ado, here she is…
When we think about what our churches are “leaving behind” for our cities, we shouldn’t be thinking of ministry plans or church buildings, but kids. The children in our church are the first ones that God has given us to win for the gospel. Because they are the inheritance we are leaving for our city, the single most important task we have as a church is to teach the next generation the gospel. -Dr. J.D. Greear “Two ‘Gardens’ God Uses to Grow Our Children,” Table Talk
I would add to Dr. J.D. Greear’s comment above that the single most important task of a parent is to teach our children the gospel. Yes, we need to feed them and clothe them and keep them safe, but in a blink of an eye, they’re no longer under our tutelage. But if we send them off to school with a firm foundation in the gospel, they’ll be able to function well in today’s culture.
That’s really our job as parents: to raise our children to be progressively independent of us and aggressively dependent on God. Don’t you agree?
As parents and grandparents it’s so important we remember that the next generation is vulnerable, and we’re living in a world where morals are deteriorating: right is called wrong, and wrong is called right. Just as Dr. Greear emphasized, children need parents, churches, and mentors not afraid to discuss openly and honestly the tough issues our children and grandchildren encounter in the media, at school, and with their peers, and how they should respond as Christians.
The next generation is crying out for moral direction and guidance. They need godly mentors and parents who they can respect … and who they can expect to live out their faith. Hypocrisy—saying we believe in the Bible but not living by the Bible—will turn off children at every age.
Studies show that many college students leave Christianity because they don’t see their parents living out Christian values at home. They said if it isn’t important enough to their parents to live authentic Christian lives, then Christianity must not make that much difference one way or another.
Today’s generation needs authentic, spiritually wise “older generations” who will invest in the lives of those coming after them. They need mentors and parents to have the tough honest discussions about abortion, sexuality, sexual exploitation, marriage, homosexuality, transgenderism, radical Islam, cults, drugs, alcohol, suicide … whatever they’re facing in their world, at younger and younger ages.
Just last week, I watched the torment of a fellow author whose nineteen year-old son hung himself. He was on life support for several tortuous days while his distraught parents mourned for their beloved son. I don’t know the circumstances of this tragedy, but for some reason, this young man could not cope with life. And I know many of you have heard similar stories in your communities.
The church has children at best for about 100 hours a year. Parents have children for about 8,500 waking hours a year.
Home will always be the most fertile ground for children to see the Bible lived out in real life.
If grandparents, parents, and the church don’t mentor the next generation and help them set a godly moral compass, the world will eagerly fill the gap with a tolerant immoral compass.
The next generation is looking for answers to the emptiness in their hearts that they’re trying unsuccessfully to fill with drugs, alcohol, sex, alternate lifestyles, and tragically, suicide.
We have the answers they seek. We know what will fill that hole in their heart—Jesus Christ. Don’t withhold this truth from your children … their very lives, both physical and eternal, depend on someone sharing the Good News with them. And who better equipped for children to trust and believe in then their godly parents.
Yes, while we’re making sure our children receive a proper education, participate in sports, do their homework, and drink their milk, let’s not overlook our most important role as parents: to help our children accept Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior and to role model for them what the Christian life looks like lived out in our world and culture today.
One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17
Article includes excerpts from Janet Thompson’s February 9, 2016 release Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten.
Janet has graciously agreed to give away 1 copy of her brand new book to one of you! Yah! To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About Forsaken God?
Our morally deteriorating culture has forgotten God’s goodness to its own peril. Will the next generation even know God? The very survival of the Christian faith depends on creating a culture of God-memories that must start now! The Bible describes the potential destruction through all generations to people who forget God. The dangers are paramount. If we don’t remember what God has already done, we won’t believe what he is capable of doing in the future. Memory builds faith.
Forsaken God? explores biblical examples of forgetting God as God repeatedly pleads for his people to remember his mighty acts and deeds. Janet Thompson provides an opportunity to recall your own memories of God and learn new ways to remember God’s goodness and the power of sharing those memories with the next generation. The author and other contributors share open and honest stories of forgetting God’s goodness and offer ways that help them to remember.
Each chapter includes questions and conversation starters for discussion in small groups, Bible study groups, book clubs, mentors and mentees, or with family and friends.
Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten is available at Christian bookstores, Amazon, Christianbook.com, and author’s website.
About Janet Thompson:
Janet Thompson is an international speaker, freelance editor, and an award-winning author of 18 books including Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten (release 2/9/16) and Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter. She is also the founder of Woman to Woman Mentoring and About His Work Ministries.
Visit Janet at:
Wow this blog (and book) comes at a time when I really need it.