The World Has Our Kids Because…
It has been a long time since I was a full-time youth minister. Since then, though, one of the joys of my life has been that, at each of the three congregations for which I have preached–Lebanon Road, 9th Avenue, and Central–the elders have specifically told me that they would like me to have a part in helping with the youth program.
What fascinates me a great deal of the time is how little has changed. Oh sure, there have been technological changes and other things like that, but people are people and, just like Solomon wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
Tragically, one of the things that has not changed is how many of our kids are in the clutches of the world. They are at church (usually), but they are disinterested or they come to little–or nothing–else.
Why? How does it happen that the world has so many of our children?
While there are a lot of reasons, here is one major factor that I have seen over the past 25 years of ministry. It’s because the world has the parents.
That may sound harsh, but just listen to the parents talk and the priorities of the world are what come to the forefront.
“We won’t be at the Gospel Meeting. We’ve got homework.”
“You probably won’t see us much on Wednesday nights. We’re a softball family.”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do with Lads to Leaders, but we’re too busy trying to earn a scholarship so we can go to a good school.”
“I know you taught that devo about the importance of purity in what we watch, but we just love movies. That’s our family activity.”
And on and on it goes. It may not be “as bad as” what some others say or do, but the words are clear: the priorities of the world are the driving force. Money. Entertainment. Recognition. Ease.
Then, after some time, the parents go to the elders or youth minister or preacher and wonder, “Why isn’t our son interested in coming to church?” Or they say, “You all should make the Bible classes more exciting. Our daughter is bored.” Or they complain, “There’s never anything that fits our schedule. You need to think of us first.”
Tragically, if nothing changes, they’ll be saying something very different in a few years.
“What happened to our son?”
Parents, it’s because, if you truly take a deep look at your own priorities, the world has you and is using you to get your kid.
“Seek first the kingdom of God…” “Set your mind on things above…” “Love the Lord your God with all…”
Don’t give the world a single inch. You are fighting for your own soul and the soul of your precious child.
Don’t ask if the world has your child. You know the world is aiming for that child. Instead, open the Bible and seriously ask: does the world have you!
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
