Children Need the Gospel

1 John 2:12 - I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

Be warned: I’m on my soapbox again. If you stop reading now, I do understand!  I don’t want to come across haughty, judgmental, or confrontational, but I truly believe that without a single doubt, every adult in a child’s life is accountable to guide and help him or her! Every adult is responsible for exposing and reinforcing Christian values AND Christian living to our youth. Our kids are sooooo pressurized in a variety of ways. As parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, Coaches, Grandparents, Neighbors, Friends, Aunts, Uncles, and Mentors…we have a job to do! We must help our youth reclaim their innocence – reclaim God as a necessary part of their childhood. It isn’t easy, but aren’t our kids and grandchildren worth it? Isn’t the next generation of the Church worthy of the investment?!

This is a very serious situation – the current standing of our youth. Have you been in a middle-school cafeteria lately? A high school gymnasium? The Food Court at a large mall? What about your church’s youth group? (If your church doesn’t offer youth-centered events, ask yourself what are the children in your life gravitating to?)  It’s time to take an assessment ourselves! Our children need the Gospel just like adults! Maybe even more so! I firmly believe Christians have mission fields in our very own back yards! Our youth!

Young people must know they are valued and loved. They need a stable home where God is first and adored on a DAILY basis. Adults are inundated with media, Hollywood, music, magazines, and every kind of genre known to mankind. So are our kids! They need to be sheltered and protected! Don’t let a society void of God mold our children! They will NOT receive the kind of foundation needed for adulthood! Our kids need to be exposed to the Gospel routinely – you cannot over-expose God to children! They need to hear Bible stories. Read their Bible. Attend a Christ-centered church. Sing in the choir. Attend Vacation Bible School. Fellowship with other Christian friends.  It’s not about entertainment. It’s about salvation and teaching Biblical principles that will help them as adults. Kids need to hear mom and dad, or the adults in their life, talk about Jesus sincerely. (They need discipline, but adults should NOT destroy the child’s self-worth. After all, Jesus Himself said suffer not the little children).  Humiliation and punishment that belittles the child will not help him learn suitable behavior, including how to dress.  Like the old hymn says, “softly and tenderly” we must demonstrate our love for the Savior and our love for the kids we’re around. It isn’t easy, but we MUST teach our children Christian values and let them see those values actively dwelling and practiced within OURSELVLES. {We’re raising a generation of people who do NOT know God. It really breaks my heart. And there’s boldness in today’s nonbeliever. There’s no humility!}

I have come to believe that we are to be continually teaching our children and telling them about God. And if we live in the spirit of God, He will lead us as we teach our children right from wrong. It will help our kids if they SEE our humility. Our ability to face rejection from modern man. Our commitment to the church! These are real cornerstones of character for the Christian – young and old alike!

I encourage you as emphatically as I can…Involve your child in God-centered things first! Be the example they need spiritually. Be the connection with church and God while they’re young and trainable. The information and the knowledge they gain there will help them to understand how Jesus wants them to live. It will prepare them for their heavenly home!

We MUST acknowledge that kids grow up. We only have ONE shot to make an eternal difference in the souls of our kids. Invest the time well!

Look UP my friends!