by: Wayne Wise
Deuteronomy 6
SECULARISM (indifference to God / religion)
It’s effect upon our youth
Youth departing the church at alarming rates
– See “our survey”
– The church has been able to keep app. 30% of it s youth
Not leaving to join denominations
Leaving (in many cases) not for lack of ambition
– Eager to advance in careers and education
– Eager to gain independence
Simply caught up in the love of the present world (indifference to God / religion)
A Threefold Plan
• PARENTS
• THE CHURCH
• THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES
1. Parents Must Invest in their Children
• Children are a blessing … Psalms 127:2-3– “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
• Jacob, Job, Abraham, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Eunice & Lois
• But with blessing comes responsibility …
Parental Responsibilities
Proverbs 22:6– Train, To teach, urge, discipline, instill … patience & endurance
Ephesians 6:4–
“bring them up”–
In nurture … feeding–
Admonition … warning
Deuteronomy 6
2 Timothy 3:15 (grandparents play a part as well)
Thus, Parents Must Lead by …
• Teaching
• Knowing the scriptures first themselves
• Training
• Patience & Endurance
• Discipline– Prov 13:24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
• E X A M P L E
Parental E X A M P L E
• What should we expect from our children?
• Nothing more than we do!
• Expect Nothing More in FAITH
• Expect Nothing More in being Spiritual Minded
• Expect Nothing More in ATTENDANCE
• Expect Nothing More in PERSEVERANCE
• Expect Nothing More in COMPANIONSHIP
• “Which dwelt FIRST in thy mother Eunice and thy grandmother Lois” 2 Timothy 1:5
One Main Reason we Lose so Many of our Youth …PARENTS WITHOUT CONVICTIONWhat can Parents Do to keep our Children Strong?
• Live / Teach / Expect / Demand by example– 1 Corinthians 11:1 “ Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
• Stress the need for proper friends– 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14
• Place them in the right environment
– Have them in their proper places at services
– Seek your options w/ Christian companions & pursue them
– Ruth & Naomi … was their plight happenstance?
• B e P r o a c t I v e !
Lessons from Naomi
• Naomi seemed Helpless at first Ruth 1:20– Her attitude was that destiny had taken over– Too many Christians (young and parents) think that faithfulness is a “tossup” – Finding the right friends or mate is in the hands of “fate”
• In the Beginning, Ruth was as much responsible for her own plight as was Naomi Ruth 2:1-3– Naomi had no plan … what would have happened?
Finally … Naomi begins to see Hope through Boaz and takes ACTION• She devises a plan (it may work .. It may not) 3:1-5
• She understands Human nature (Youth & Romance)
• She lets Nature (& God) take its course
• Let God take his course!– We often pray … “thy will be done”– What more could be his will?
• Find companions of like precious faith
• Mix & mingle
• Host get togethers and promote them
• Expose the peers of our young people to the gospel and convert them
• Set a standard for marriage, explain the standard and stick to it2.
The Church Must Invest in its Youth
• The youth are equally precious to a congregation
• They bring Life & Joy
• They bring Hope for the future of the church Youth and the future of the church
• Most visitors will come from youth
• Most learning will generate in youth
• Most training will focus on youth
• The number (%) of youth of a congregation greatly determine its strength
– In perception
– In the reality of hope & feeling of accomplishment
What can The Church Do to keep its Children Strong?
• 1. Pray
• 2. Know
• 3. Lead … Titus 2:2-6
• 4. Talk & Encourage
• 5. Teach …“according to knowledge” 1 Peter 5:7
• 6. Delegate … 1 Timothy 4:12
• 7. Expect & Demand … 2 Timothy 3:14-15
A Concern among Some Brethren
• Some have been ridiculed for sponsoring any social events for the young due, believing that we are catering to the “social gospel”
– Even though … not paid for by church
– Hosted by individuals
– And … even though we know they WILL socialize somewhere with someone
• Thus many shy away from any activities for fear of ridicule of brethren
Undue Criticism
• The Following are Public Bulletins that have been criticized by some brethren due to perceived “social attractions” even though none were “church sponsored”
• This type of criticism has left many to abandon some good works by individuals or to shy away from any type of organizing among congregations …. Our young people lose out
• Some oppose bulletin announcements of social events, others oppose oral announcements even after the service dismissal
• I believe the criticism is unjust