Welcome!
Passage:Ephesians 6
Today: God of our children!
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”[b] (Eph 6, NLT)
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. (2 Tim 3, NLT)
Yesterday, I was attending a program at the City Seminary of New York; it was part of a “short course” on family and youth
One of the questions we discussed was: “What helps young people to grow in their Christian faith?” It was a “chalk talk” question. Each of us had to get up write our answers on the board; no talks
So, we wrote: “Love, respect, recognition, church, parents, Christian music, youth leader, pastor, understanding, role-model, good friends, prayer, reading the bible to/with them, relating to them/speaking their language”, ….etc
We also discussed the following: “What are the strengths and weaknesses of growing up with parents who are church leaders?”
Also, “How are parental/child expectations understood in a western vs. non-western context? How does this impact the spiritual development of the youth?”
Some felt that some of the the non-western methods were too disciplinary, whereas the western systems in general could be just the opposite; however, there has to be a “friendliness” aspect while not compromising on the essentials
Young people have lot of good ideas and talents that could be channeled in the right direction and the energy used positively, which is what church can do; we also spoke on how certain churches are doing a very good job, in that area
Our own family is where we can start investing in; sometimes it may take our “extra” time and even money, but if it is worth it, why not?
Jesus brought back to life a young man who was dead, and was the only son to his mother, who was a widow. There are many mothers and fathers crying about their “dead” children- physically active, but spiritually dead. Some of us can help them. Someone from outside that family can speak more effectively to such kids. It could be your friend’s son/daughter
We are “transformed to transform”; not to simply sit and enjoy it, but to touch others with the same love that touched and transformed us. Just do it!
Have a blessed day!
BG
Prayer: Lord, we know the fact that a person can stay pure, by obeying your word (Ps 119: 9). Help us to live the word and share the word to the youth in their language, because your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps 119:105). Amen
Introduce our young ones to God so that God can work one-on-one with them, as we continue to pray!