Bro. Samuel Cuellar, Jr. was showing me his new Bible last night. He opened up to the very front where he showed me the pages which serve to record marriages, deaths, and births, and said, "Pastor; it is meant to go with you." I smiled real big and informed him that I would be borrowing that thought and using it in a blog... so join me as I paint you a word picture...
What are you doing to pass on the truth of God's Word?
If you're a parent, do you know that the Christian education is your responsibility?
I love and appreciate children. I believe in Sunday school, and have seen churches successfully grow through vibrant evangelism and discipleship of children and teens. However, Sunday school should not take the place of teaching in the home. If it does, then you as a parent are shirking your responsibility.
I had the privilege of serving young people for 17 years in Maine. During that time, though, I would notice parents bringing their teens to youth camp hoping that we could do in one week what they were unwilling to do in the other 51 weeks of the year. Unfortunately, some think that because their children are in Sunday school, that they don't have to or need to teach Godly principles. Let me go on record vehemently disagreeing with that line of thinking!
As a parent, it is MY responsibility to see that my children are trained up in the way they should go. It is MY responsibility to nurture them in the admonition of the Lord. While I am thankful for those who labor at our church in the children and youth ministries, I cannot and I will not let them be the ones solely responsible for my child's spiritual education.
Maybe we've allowed society to convince us that we're too busy. If that's the case, then maybe we should disconnect the cable from the TV, games, and computers, and turn our homes back in to Spiritual haven's of Godly instruction and prayer.
Bro. Cuellar - you are so right my brother - the word of God is meant to go with us throughout our lives. We must treasure it above all else. We must learn it, love it, live it, and lead others to it! We must diligently teach our children the truth.
We speak of church growth often, and usually it begins with discussion about numbers. "How many are you running?" is the common question at conferences and camps when preachers see each other. But numbers alone do not tell the story. We should be concerned with whether or not our children, teens, and even adults are growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Our concern should be that our children, teens, and adults are increasing in knowledge of the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Jesus Christ!
BUT, the church only meets a few times each week. Therefore, if it is to be, it is up to me! Each parent reading this blog today needs to say those ten "little" words - if it is to be, it is up to me. Be thankful for your pastor who labors in the word. Be grateful to your child's Sunday school and youth staff who labors week after week teaching the word. BUT, don't expect them to do your job for you.
I am oneness from the top of my head to the soul of my feet. Scripture undeniably proves the oneness of God. We pentecostals love to quote Deuteronomy 6:4, BUT, keep reading saint of God and you'll discover that it is the duty of the home to instruct their children in the ways of God. Read on and you'll notice that when your children ask you (the parent), that you are to tell them of God's delivering and saving power.
Strong men build strong families. Strong families build strong churches. Let's make our homes Spiritual education institutions where our children will know "what meaneth these stones." Let's do everything in our power to pass it on to the next generation. God forbid that Judges 2:10 become a reality for our children. I do not want my son or daughter to come of age and not know God or His works. I must do everything in my power to see that this doesn't happen!
The enemy would love to destroy your relationships. He entered the garden of Eden only after Adam and Eve were married. So, protect your marriage and protect your home. Don't fall in the trap of thinking that you shouldn't indoctrinate your children. Our public schools don't care if they indoctrinate our kids with sex education. They would just as soon give your child drugs to keep them calm instead of doing their job, and then wonder why we have drug problem in America. Indoctrinate your kids with the Word of God and don't be ashamed to do so!
Who will join this revolution with me and "pass it on" to their children?
