Few periods of human history have been harder on young people. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco are tried, experimented with, used as status symbols. Sex is talked about openly and tried promiscuously. There is often sophistication about sin and an attitude or disdain toward “straight things” or “holy Joes.” What do we as Christian parents do to help our kids meet and overcome these temptations so prevalent in their world?
Often very little is done. We come to church now and then. We want our children to be baptized when they are 12 or 13 years old and seem to think that all is well now. They need far more than we can give them in all of the scheduled Bible classes of the church. (I might add right here that if you do not have your son/daughter in all of these classes it will be surprising if their faith lasts through college.)
We spend thousands on a child’s education in how to make a living—math, science, music, art, drama, pre-medicine, engineering, and on and on. We give them good clothes and usually let them have
a car. They have time for sports in school and out. We even get them instructors for the sports they particularly like and excel in. Money is no object. They must be well-rounded and accepted by their peers. Popularity is a necessity. Nobody wants the child to be maladjusted.
Where is God in all of this? The Bible says that the most necessary ingredient in bringing up a child is instruction in God’s Word. David wrote: “O God, from my youth thou has taught me, and
I still proclaim thy wondrous deeds,” Psa. 71:17.
David asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word,” Psa. 119:9. There is a dimension to our life that a school textbook does not touch. The Bible does,
however. To be equipped for life we must have that knowledge and love it, too.
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4)
We must give them more!
—adapted from an article by Harvey Porte
Ivy Conner