I’ve thought a lot about how to respond to recent events that have shaken our nation. We don’t watch the news, but even the limited doses of updates we’ve gotten have been pretty unsettling. Because of the unrest around our country, I understand how some people have responded to it all with feelings fear and doom. But my reaction has been pretty different. Instead, I’ve felt a renewed sense of urgency to make sure that my children know in their hearts the most important thing I can ever teach them: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In a world where “truth” is subjective, where we call it “misinformation” instead of lies, and where standing on your convictions will get you “cancelled,” it is just as important now as it’s ever been to make sure our children know the Truth and are prepared to defend it.
Why the Gospel is the most important thing you can teach your children.
WE NEED TO TEACH THEM TO DISCERN THE TRUTH FROM LIES
Knowing, believing, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important thing we can ever do. It is the ONE AND ONLY path to salvation.
Our children need to know that there are millions of lies flying around out there, waiting to fall on unsuspecting victims. The lies tickle our ears and whisper false promises. They aren’t always insidious or ugly – at first. Instead, they are exactly what we want to hear and that’s what makes them so enticing.
So our children absolutely must be rooted in the Truth of God’s Word. They have to have a solid foundation and know what the Truth is so that they recognize the lies when they hear them. We can help cultivate discernment by reading Scripture to our kids, praying over them, and discussing hot topics within the framework of God’s Truth so that they recognize Satan’s schemes for what they are.
WE NEED TO PREPARE BECAUSE SUFFERING MAY BE THE WAY AHEAD
A brief survey of Church history shows us that suffering is a really normal part of the Christian walk. In fact, the desert monks and Christian monasticism were born out of a time when Christians enjoyed peace and safety and prosperity. The monks left behind the luxuries of Rome and went to suffer out in the deserts, living in caves and in the wilderness as a way to deny their flesh and focus on Christ.
We, too, have enjoyed such peace and safety and prosperity.
So much so that it has largely clouded the vision of many believers, who have fallen asleep in the pews and are no more effective at the Great Commission than their unbelieving friends. But it seems that the tide is turning. Cultural Christianity is falling out of favor.
Instead, Christianity is being equated with bigotry, intolerance, and archaic views of gender and marriage. And recent events at the Capitol have only served to reinforce the view that Christians are intolerant bullies.
The path ahead for those of us who are committed to following Christ may not be easy. Maybe persecution won’t look like being arrested or martyred, but we can probably expect to be slandered, harassed, and silenced. Maybe it’ll mean tighter regulations on churches and what they preach, and social ostracism for those “outspoken Christians”. (And make no mistake, we should ALL be outspoken Christians as we share the Gospel with others.)
It’s an uncomfortable thought that we may be leading them to Christ knowing that they may suffer for it. And yet, if they can take hold of that Truth and cling to it no matter how dark the days ahead, then they’ll have a kind of assurance and joy that the world can never take away.
WE MUST RESPOND WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY
The world seems to be a turbulent place right now. But hasn’t it always? There’s nothing new under the sun, but I understand why all of the unrest and division makes people feel afraid. It’s just that instead of hunkering down fully stocked with toilet paper, ammo, and canned goods, I posit that Jesus would call us to a different response.
I think we absolutely should feel a strong sense of urgency, but not for hoarding or preparing to bug-out in case all political hell breaks loose.
Instead, I think we should feel a sense of urgency to write the words of Scripture on our children’s hearts.
Think about it. What’s the ONE THING that no one can take away from us, no matter how rocky the path ahead becomes? Our salvation.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39, NIV
The Great Commission starts in our own homes. With our children. And it ripples out from there into every one of our spheres of influence. Neighborhoods. Workplaces. Co-ops and parenting groups. Little leagues.
(Side note: I read recently that a Gallup poll found that a shocking FIFTY-ONE PERCENT of church-goers don’t know what the Great Commission is. If that’s you, please, please, please go read Matthew 28:18-20.)
If you’re not exactly sure how to disciple your kids or what it should look like, that’s okay. Resources abound and we all have to start somewhere. And there’s no better time to learn than now!
A great place to start is Deuteronomy 6:4-9. No matter what you and your children are doing together, you can talk to them about Jesus and teach them the Truth:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Read about the revival we experienced in our home last year.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT SOMEONE IS ALWAYS DISCIPLING OUR CHILDREN
Finally, keep in mind that your children are always learning from someone.
One broad definition of the word “disciple” simply means “one who follows the opinions of teachings of another.” (Source.) Obviously, in Christian circles, we use it in the context of being a disciple of Jesus. But many leaders, both Christian and not, have disciples.
So it’s important to remember that if you aren’t discipling your children to be followers of Jesus, then someone else will disciple your children to be followers of something else. Your children are taught to follow ideologies and belief systems in school, in the news, through television shows and books, and even among family and friends.
I promise, this is not a paranoid statement about people brain-washing your kids. That’s not at all what I’m talking about!
I simply mean that if you aren’t actively teaching them God’s Truth, then the World will teach them its lies.
We cannot passively disciple them. Yes, we have to lead them with our actions, but we also have to teach them with our words. It’s an intentional decision to pass on a legacy of faith in Jesus. Discipleship must be active and ongoing, because we are literally training up our children to send them out as sheep among wolves.
So let’s make sure they’re prepared.
In my next post, I’m going to talk about HOW to create a Gospel-rich culture in your home. Even if living out the Great Commission hasn’t been a big part of your family life in the past, it’s never too late to begin. See How to Disciple Your Kids: 7 Ways to Lead Them to Jesus.
