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A Scenario Not Found In Holy Writ
By: J. Raymond Pecoraro
There is an old unspoken parable that isn’t found in the Scriptures. It goes something like this.
This particular congregation had concerns about its youth growing up in a world that has lost its moral fiber for all intents and purposes. These young people were faced with worldly pressures on every hand. They were being pulled in all directions and this caused great concern for this church.
They all came to the conclusion that a program was needed to get their young people to take a serious interest in spiritual matters. (Matt. 5:6). This would create a stronger faith within each one that would help them deflect the fiery darts of the devil. (I Peter 5:8).
And so the church began the task at hand!
A strong Bible Class program was placed number one on the agenda because they knew that “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). Their young people would learn what God expected of them in order to defeat the devil on every hand. They would learn how to search the Scriptures for answers to life’s questions. (II Peter 1:3).
To make this program a huge success, they would need the most knowledgeable, capable, and devoted teachers they could muster for these young classes. The search was now on for such responsible and qualified teachers.
Just when it seems like such a marvelous idea this congregation began hearing the following excuses:
1. One member didn’t want to leave the close fellowship they had with their own adult class to teach young people. This didn’t deter the drug dealer though. He said he was willing to teach our children even if it meant going to jail.
2. Another member used the excuse that they didn’t know enough to teach young people about the Lord even though a member in long standing for many years! This didn’t deter the college trained evolutionist to teach young people that God doesn’t exist. (Ps. 14:1).
3. Yet, another member said that young people today are so different that he/she could not keep their attention for 45 minutes! Television, movie, DVD producers said not to worry because they knew exactly how to hold their attention, not for 45 minutes but for hours upon hours!
The church leaders decided the second thing needed in addition to a strong Bible Class program was parents’ making the commitment to bring their young people to all these classes. You cannot teach those who aren’t there now can you? It is the responsibility of parents to help their children grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6; II Peter 3:18).
This, too, met with much opposition from these parents.
1. Some of the parents had the excuse of being away from home most weekends and Wednesdays just leaves them exhausted after working all day. The unsavory places such as clubs, bars, and such stay open very late seven days a week to accommodate your children and the training is free!
2. Other parents thought that having two classes a week was over-kill. (These same parents keep their children in public school classes several hours a day for five days per week). The world will take your children and teach them that outward appearances are what make a person a success!
Frustrated, the church leaders decided they would try to hold devotionals, Bible Bowls, Christian Camps, etc. but opposition was met on this front too!
1. This would really put parents out if they had to prepare meals, work out travel from home to home or wherever good, clean, wholesome recreation can be had. They didn’t have a problem with these things as long as “someone” else took care of the details and the effort. The beer and cigarette companies didn’t think it an effort or even too expensive to provide immoral activities for your young person. In fact, they invest billions of dollars in advertisements to lure the young to their way of life. Make no mistake about this, parents!
Our great God and Heavenly Father gave us children to be their protectors, their educators, and their spiritual guide in the things that matter the most.
We, as parents will be called upon to give an answer for the trusteeship He placed in us! Children aren’t raised by accident!
And if you let the village rear your children, bar the door!
