Congregations and parents continue to worry and wring their hands to find solutions as to why young people are leaving the church once they are on their own. After all, they were sent to Bible camps, retreats, SYS, and a multitude of other activities through their seventeen or eighteen years while at home.
We have not taught young people the denial self is a major part of Christianity and as we examine Scripture, where did the “youth programs” begin in the first place?
Moses youth program began back in Egypt when he was an infant.
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child,” (Hebrews 11:23).
Then Abraham. God knew he would command his children.
“Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoke of him.” (Genesis 18:18-20)
When you go back to the Old Testament and read of Moses, you will find his youth program began at home with Amram and Jochebed.
We have given over our instruction to a youth minister. We seem to believe someone can be paid to do the work God instructed parents to do. Statistics show parents have the ultimate influence upon their children, and yet we continue doing the same thing expecting a different result.
Samuel’s youth program began before He was born in the heart of his mother Hannah.
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (I Samuel 1:11)
Timothy’s youth program began at home with his mother and grandmother.
Many of the programs designed for young people have become a spawning ground for error and the other inconvenient truth, these programs were designed to keep young people out of mischief while mom and dad are at their jobs and distracted with other interests.
In case after case, throughout Scripture the only mention of special ministries for children began in the home.
It is to the point these ministries are being ridiculed by the secular world.
“We started this thing back in 1999. When we said ‘ministry, it meant something totally different. But we wanted to take the limits off God, and we figured the best way to do that is to affirm God can work through every possible thing. So, if you’re interested in serving not only in our Praise Ministry, Senior Citizen Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Clowning Ministry etc, there are signup sheets waiting out in the lobby after service.”
Or this: “According to Exponential Lead Vision Caster, chats are tailored for maximum digital effect. “They’re vloggable, tweetable, snapchatable, and whatever-the next-big app is able. The youth minister always has a cup of coffee on a bar table next to him. It’s a Starbucks vibe-he’s just choppin’it up with us you know.”
We need to be sober minded about our children by leading, teaching and living the Christian life. They are not at home long. 18 years to teach them and they are gone. A good portion of that time is given to sleep, and school. You don’t have much time to impart the wisdom of God to them so redeeming the time is of essence.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12)
“Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory unto their children.” (Psalms 90:16)
Dressing and talking as one of the youth and being their friend will not do. They need the strong spiritual leadership of their parents. They cannot draw nigh to God if they do not see us reading and studying our Bibles, in prayer for them and teaching and living the example daily.
“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw night to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (James 4:8)
Christianity is serving others, not self. We need to get back to the fundamentals of God’s Word and rear our children to become servants of Christ, serving others and placing self last.
“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
Until we submit our lives as parents whole heartedly to God and lead by precept and example. Expect to see more of a decline in young people leaving the church.
“But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:16-17)
“So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I Am. If I then , your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:12-17)
Eileen Light