Our minister recently posed a situation to our congregation. He asked all of the young people from seniors in high school down to stand. If the children were too young to stand on their own, he asked the parents to stand with them. Then he went through the audience and asked certain children to be seated. When he finished, there were about 10% of the children in our congregation still standing. “These,” he said, “are the ones that will remain faithful when they leave for college.”

As we looked around the building, the reality of what he was saying was incredibly obvious. Yes, according to statistics, we are losing 60% to 90% of our young people.

When all the children were seated once again, our minister then asked, “What is the difference between those who leave and those who stay?” The answer is discipleship. Put aside this article and read John 6. Read the entire chapter and then consider the following example.

Jesus had fed 5,000 men. He took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, and turned them into a meal for thousands. Jesus left the crowds and sent His disciples away in their boat. Early in the morning Jesus appeared walking on the sea, and Peter made his famous unsuccessful attempt at walking on water too. These were two miracles that offered a sample of what Jesus had to offer.

The next day, the crowds searched for Jesus, and knowing the disciples had entered their boat without Him, they boarded boats and headed for Capernaum. They found Him, but Jesus was wise to their motives. They had come for food, not because they sought the message. But the real “food” was in the message and not in the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

There among those who had witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus gave His famous lesson on being the bread of life and their need to eat His flesh and drink His blood. He identified this analogy as spiritual rather than physical, but the crowd couldn’t bear it. They left Him. Though the disciples remained, He questioned their desire to stay and revealed that one of them was the devil.

So, what does that chapter have to do with our losing 60% to 90% of our young people? It’s simple. The crowd was not willing to hear what they needed to hear. They were not willing to be disciples. Jesus lost thousands, while only a small number stayed.

Now, back to our minister’s lesson. In Matthew 19:13-15, parents were trying to attach their children to Jesus. They brought them to Jesus, but the disciples were trying to keep them away. The consequences of one who does this is found in Matthew 18:6. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

We would never actively, intentionally cause a child to sin (at least most would not), but parents are passively keeping them away from discipleship. Here is how it happens:

• Negligence—Jesus is at the bottom of the parent’s priority list.
• Parents are not helping children move toward a faith of their own.
• Jesus is not important to show up on the parent’s priority list.
• Children see a lack of character (drinking, smoking, cursing, gossiping etc.)
• They see a lack of Bible knowledge. Parents don’t teach the Bible at home.
• Children have unfiltered influences. Children are in charge of where they go, what they watch, their choice of friends, etc.
• Parents just stand back and let other things slide in between.

This passive attitude is Satan’s tool for capturing our children. We see it happen with the disciples. Luke 22:3 says that Satan entered into Judas. That is exactly what happens with our children. If they are not well-grounded in the faith, they will be easy prey for the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

The formula for solidifying a disciple is found in Matthew 28:19-20. Make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the things Jesus commanded. That is a true solid foundation.

Sandra Oliver