This week I've been listening to the classic CCM band, Daniel Amos. Daniel Amos is about the most bizarre band ever. They are definitely Christian, but they aren't afraid to be honest with their lyrics (read: uncouth). Looking back over all the blogs I've read this past year, DA might possibly be seeker sensitive, but I love their music. I wish they had crossed over rather than other bands.
Starting out, DA had a country gospel sound.
I don't know how long this lasted, but it wasn't for long.
Next is the Daniel Amos I think of -- the era of the Alarma Chronicles. My parents only had the last three of the 4 part series, so I never heard the first Alarma record until this week on YouTube. The user Leppod, who posts some of the songs, claims that CCM called their social commentary the harshest of any band published by a Christian label. I disagree. They could by cynical at points, but they're right for the most part.
The Alarma records remind me of Sci-fi set to music. These records should have been more wide-spread. Listeners will think of ELO, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, and possibly just Daniel Amos.
The second record: Doppelganger, has the most criticism of pop Christianity and noticeable sarcasm toward a consumer culture that secularized the church even then.
I wish girls today could hear this song
This song would be about me if I was a music star.
The next Alarma album, Vox Humana, is Dad's favorite.
I wish I could find my favorite from that album, "She's All Heart", but right now I can't even decipher the guitar chords for it. The one song, "Home Permanent" has a mom making chocolate Bibles to witness to the unsaved father, so they still have jabs at pop Christianity. This next song, however, is amazing and very God-glorifying
The final Alarma record is my favorite. It has the most love songs that are actually about Jesus. These guys have mastered what today's CCM can't: Love songs to Jesus or about Jesus that don't sound creepy.
And this, the one who posted claimed this is the most beautiful song ever. I'd almost agree but I think that award goes to Wendy and Mary's "Simeon's Lullaby," but that's another post. Here's their "Beautiful One." Move over, Tim Hughes.
After the Alarma days, they we're still good but okay. It's like, when Nirvana was around, they tried their hand at grunge with Bibleland. It's not the same, plus the album has a swear word on it. It's like, mid-life crisis.
They also associated with other amazing bands such as the Choir and Common Children. Terry Taylor, the lead singer sang in other projects like Swirling Eddies and Lost Dogs. Their most recent success has been their association with the City on a Hill records, the first praise and worship albums that I would actually listen to. I hope someday, I'll find the rest of the Alarma records on CD but so far I only have Vox Humana.
Hope you enjoy these!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Lot and Abraham booklets
Yesterday, I had three girls for children's church: Alexis, Emily, and Rebecca, ages 8, 7, and 7 respectively. First I had them do a word puzzle. See a picture, and write its first letter under the picture. It should spell out, "The Lord is faithful to all his promises." It's a Psalm, and I forget the chapter and verse. Then I recapped last week's lesson. We met Abraham. God told him to move from Ur to Canaan. Sarah and Lot went with him. God promised Abraham land, a child, and that his children would be blessings to all people on the earth.
Then I had some of them read from Genesis 13. After a few verses, I had them start cutting pictures and pasting them into a book that I prepared that had the gist of the story. Hopefully if the booklets made it home, then they can review them during the week. Then, there was a maze asking true or false questions about the story of Lot. if the answer was wrong, they went back to start. If it was right, they moved to the next question. Then we sang Father Abraham. Those kids almost break dance during that song.
Later that night, I met up with my friend Erin who I had not talked to in a while. I had three extra booklets, so I sat and cut and pasted pictures. When Erin got there, I just colored my demo book. I don't know if it's bad social cues to meet a friend for coffee and then just color the whole time you talk, but I honestly feel like it gives my hands something to do. Maybe if I invited her to color with me that would be okay. I feel like crafts bond people. But, anyway, we talked like an hour and a half, so it was a productive time. I think I'll give the extra booklets to the ones who didn't come this week.
I start my first Clayton State University class tonight. Intro to Law and Ethics. I'm already reading a citation manual for my Thursday class. It's a bit more interesting than the phone book but kind of scares me about how precise my writing must be in preparing for and being a paralegal.
Then I had some of them read from Genesis 13. After a few verses, I had them start cutting pictures and pasting them into a book that I prepared that had the gist of the story. Hopefully if the booklets made it home, then they can review them during the week. Then, there was a maze asking true or false questions about the story of Lot. if the answer was wrong, they went back to start. If it was right, they moved to the next question. Then we sang Father Abraham. Those kids almost break dance during that song.
Later that night, I met up with my friend Erin who I had not talked to in a while. I had three extra booklets, so I sat and cut and pasted pictures. When Erin got there, I just colored my demo book. I don't know if it's bad social cues to meet a friend for coffee and then just color the whole time you talk, but I honestly feel like it gives my hands something to do. Maybe if I invited her to color with me that would be okay. I feel like crafts bond people. But, anyway, we talked like an hour and a half, so it was a productive time. I think I'll give the extra booklets to the ones who didn't come this week.
I start my first Clayton State University class tonight. Intro to Law and Ethics. I'm already reading a citation manual for my Thursday class. It's a bit more interesting than the phone book but kind of scares me about how precise my writing must be in preparing for and being a paralegal.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
In My Head
Maybe it's because the upcoming kids' camp has a Willy Wonka theme. Maybe it really sounds like it, but I think this song sounds like a Ren version of the Oompa Loompa song:
Also, since it's been in my head this week, and because this band is amazing:
This might call for another ELO tribute soon. I'll toot my own horn once more.
Also, since it's been in my head this week, and because this band is amazing:
This might call for another ELO tribute soon. I'll toot my own horn once more.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Relating to People
Normally, I plan on spending only two days a week talking about my Sunday lessons. Since both teens and kids are learning the same stuff, there will be much repetition. Today, however, I'm going to consider Abraham again because he seemed to get along with everyone.
1. If there was a conflict, like between Abram and Lot's people, he always made peace with other other party, even if they still had to part ways. He didn't pick fights, but helped to solve problems. When Lot was captured by the Mesopotamians after he moved to Sodom, Abraham set out to rescue him because Lot was his relative. In today's world, I can't tell if a conflict needs me or not. Is somebody dear to me being carried off by Mesopotamians? Or is this person simply living in Sodom, not the best condition, but still alive? Abraham let Lot move off to a wicked town, and it took its toll on Lot, but Abraham figured, Lot is grown up and can make his own decisions. However, Abraham never stopped praying for him. It was Abraham's prayers that actually saved Lot when God razed the town.
My cousins are close to me. They went to church for a while, but then stopped going. They weren't raised in church. While I was raised Presbyterian, they were raised as athletes. They still very much worship sports. Now one cousin and his wife have kids and are about to have a third. I really wish they would get their children back in church. Is it my place to talk to them and persuade them to go to church or do I simply need to pray? There is one time one cousin was dating a woman with kids and I invited him to invite her to bring her kids to my church, but they declined. I still don't see any of them in church. As far as I know, I can only pray for them and at Christmas time invite them over for dinner and just talk about what I do at church. We'll definitely pray to bless the meal.
Now, on facebook is where I get in the most trouble with my confrontations. I think it all started in 2009 when I graduated seminary. I got home to Conyers and noticed a friend of mine had a Rob Bell book in her possession. I've had Rob Bell figured out for quite some time now ever since I heard an interview when he said nobody's going to hell. I had not read any of his books at this point, only seen some Noomas, and those aren't as blatantly anti-doctrine as Velvet Elvis. I decided to write my friend and tell her my views on Rob Bell and to be very careful as he is, indeed, a heretic.
Then, there was a Christmas gathering at the same house. A girl who went to Wheaton College was bragging about being at Rob Bell's alma mater. Then a bunch of people were like, "yeah, I love him." I finally had to say, "He has really bad theology." One girl said, "people just don't understand him." Then I explained that he denies the virgin birth, is a universalist, and is against Sola Scriptura. I think I killed that conversation. I had the last word but I certainly didn't win a soul.
Then fast-forward to about May: a very close friend, who goes to a PCA church and knows her theology quoted him on facebook status. I commented that I was surprised she would like him and quote him because he is a heretic. She got really mad and explained that all people are heretics and that we should be gracious and ask how we feel about things before calling out heresies. I explained that it's one thing to have doctrinal or exegetical differences such as the age of baptism, women in ministry, etc., but when someone denies key Christian doctrines, then you've got call them off as heretics. I have not had a good friendship with her since and it is my fault to a degree because I have no sensitivity.
Up until now, I've been posting on facebook political articles, Calvinist articles, polemical articles, anything right-wing Conservative reformed, and especially anti-emergent. I feel like I've alienated a lot of people.
Recently, the woman who lives with me and cares for my brother was listening to a lecture for a class from Liberty University. Like most things from Liberty, the lecture was excellent. Then the guy started quoting guys I love like Spurgeon, Calvin, etc. Then, he randomly quotes Charles Finney! Yes, Charles Finney! I decided to find the professor's e-mail and e-mail him. God was looking out for me. The e-mail came back unsent. So I then e-mailed her about it. Later, I get a call from my Dad. He finally lays down the line and says I've got to learn social skills, especially when choosing battles. There is no one out there that I'll agree with completely, and I've got to decide what is important to argue, and what is not important. He's absolutely right. I do need to be more sensitive. If I'm ever to reach people with the Gospel, whether at the pregnancy center, at church, or among my friends, then I'll have to not be so against everything and be sensitive to their feelings.
At the same time, I do want to help rescue people if they are being destroyed by Mesopotamians. People need to know the truth about emergent folks, heresies, pro-life issues, creation v. evolution, Calvinism v. Arminianism, etc. Where is this balance? How can I figure it out? Abraham has some solutions, but this is something that just does not come to me naturally. It does help to have a blog again and take some of this off of facebook, but where is that line?
Oh well, I just have to keep praying, keep living, and just study social cues like I'm studying for a test. Keeping my mouth shut might help sometimes, too.
1. If there was a conflict, like between Abram and Lot's people, he always made peace with other other party, even if they still had to part ways. He didn't pick fights, but helped to solve problems. When Lot was captured by the Mesopotamians after he moved to Sodom, Abraham set out to rescue him because Lot was his relative. In today's world, I can't tell if a conflict needs me or not. Is somebody dear to me being carried off by Mesopotamians? Or is this person simply living in Sodom, not the best condition, but still alive? Abraham let Lot move off to a wicked town, and it took its toll on Lot, but Abraham figured, Lot is grown up and can make his own decisions. However, Abraham never stopped praying for him. It was Abraham's prayers that actually saved Lot when God razed the town.
My cousins are close to me. They went to church for a while, but then stopped going. They weren't raised in church. While I was raised Presbyterian, they were raised as athletes. They still very much worship sports. Now one cousin and his wife have kids and are about to have a third. I really wish they would get their children back in church. Is it my place to talk to them and persuade them to go to church or do I simply need to pray? There is one time one cousin was dating a woman with kids and I invited him to invite her to bring her kids to my church, but they declined. I still don't see any of them in church. As far as I know, I can only pray for them and at Christmas time invite them over for dinner and just talk about what I do at church. We'll definitely pray to bless the meal.
Now, on facebook is where I get in the most trouble with my confrontations. I think it all started in 2009 when I graduated seminary. I got home to Conyers and noticed a friend of mine had a Rob Bell book in her possession. I've had Rob Bell figured out for quite some time now ever since I heard an interview when he said nobody's going to hell. I had not read any of his books at this point, only seen some Noomas, and those aren't as blatantly anti-doctrine as Velvet Elvis. I decided to write my friend and tell her my views on Rob Bell and to be very careful as he is, indeed, a heretic.
Then, there was a Christmas gathering at the same house. A girl who went to Wheaton College was bragging about being at Rob Bell's alma mater. Then a bunch of people were like, "yeah, I love him." I finally had to say, "He has really bad theology." One girl said, "people just don't understand him." Then I explained that he denies the virgin birth, is a universalist, and is against Sola Scriptura. I think I killed that conversation. I had the last word but I certainly didn't win a soul.
Then fast-forward to about May: a very close friend, who goes to a PCA church and knows her theology quoted him on facebook status. I commented that I was surprised she would like him and quote him because he is a heretic. She got really mad and explained that all people are heretics and that we should be gracious and ask how we feel about things before calling out heresies. I explained that it's one thing to have doctrinal or exegetical differences such as the age of baptism, women in ministry, etc., but when someone denies key Christian doctrines, then you've got call them off as heretics. I have not had a good friendship with her since and it is my fault to a degree because I have no sensitivity.
Up until now, I've been posting on facebook political articles, Calvinist articles, polemical articles, anything right-wing Conservative reformed, and especially anti-emergent. I feel like I've alienated a lot of people.
Recently, the woman who lives with me and cares for my brother was listening to a lecture for a class from Liberty University. Like most things from Liberty, the lecture was excellent. Then the guy started quoting guys I love like Spurgeon, Calvin, etc. Then, he randomly quotes Charles Finney! Yes, Charles Finney! I decided to find the professor's e-mail and e-mail him. God was looking out for me. The e-mail came back unsent. So I then e-mailed her about it. Later, I get a call from my Dad. He finally lays down the line and says I've got to learn social skills, especially when choosing battles. There is no one out there that I'll agree with completely, and I've got to decide what is important to argue, and what is not important. He's absolutely right. I do need to be more sensitive. If I'm ever to reach people with the Gospel, whether at the pregnancy center, at church, or among my friends, then I'll have to not be so against everything and be sensitive to their feelings.
At the same time, I do want to help rescue people if they are being destroyed by Mesopotamians. People need to know the truth about emergent folks, heresies, pro-life issues, creation v. evolution, Calvinism v. Arminianism, etc. Where is this balance? How can I figure it out? Abraham has some solutions, but this is something that just does not come to me naturally. It does help to have a blog again and take some of this off of facebook, but where is that line?
Oh well, I just have to keep praying, keep living, and just study social cues like I'm studying for a test. Keeping my mouth shut might help sometimes, too.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
My paraphrase of Psalm 121
Keep me Lord
I lift my eyes to the mountains for help
But it comes from God.
Keep me Lord
He made the heavens and earth still my help,
it comes from God.
He will not let me slip
He does not even sleep
He protects Israel and
He slumbers not nor sleeps
Keep me Lord
The Lord keeps me in the palm of his hand
And he shades me from harm
Keep me Lord
Their lies won’t reach me at day
And at night I’m safe from harm.
He will not let me slip
He does not even sleep
He protects Israel and
He slumbers not nor sleeps
The Lord has saved you from all evil
If you would trust him to keep your soul
You will be underneath his thumb
While the years of eternity roll
He will not let me slip
He does not even sleep
He protects Israel and
He slumbers not nor sleeps.
I have this set to music but the only video I have of it has me singing three songs and I believe it's the third. This was recorded a year and a half ago and the audio is terrible.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Abraham and Lot break up
I don't plan on having any teen Sunday School this week, but I planned a lesson just in case another teen shows up. First, I would probably recap last week's lesson about Abraham and his family. I'll ask about his relatives and also about three promises God made to him: land, children, and to be a blessing to all nations. I'll ask one more question about who all arrived with him to Canaan: Sarah and Lot.
The intro activity is a taste test. Get four different brands of Cola (or Co-Coler if you're from the south), remove the labels and label them A to D. See if they can figure out which is which. I'd probably just get some 20 ounce bottles and cups, not 2 liters, because usually the most kids I have is one. I think this experiment is for discussing decisions.
Then, we read Genesis 13. We're reminded that Lot joined Abraham. He had probably also seen Egypt when Abe escaped the famine and narrowly escaped losing Sarah to Pharaoh (which by the way, I realize I forgot to teach last week. I might have to incorporate that story in with Hagar). We also notice that both Abraham and Lot were wealthy.
Despite their wealth, there was limited grass and water for both parties to live in the same place. Here is one of the ways that I admire Abraham. He just seemed to get along with everyone. He even got along with the King of Sodom, even though he refused to take compensation from him for saving them in the war in chapter 14. Even though, Abraham and Lot couldn't live on the same property anymore, their parting was peaceful, Abraham gave Lot the first choice in where to live, and they still got along afterward from what I recall. Abraham continued to pray for Lot when he knew God would destroy Sodom. I have a lot to learn from Abraham as far as people skills go.
Lot picked his land because it looked beautiful and well-watered. The land looked good and prosperous on the outside, but when he moved there, it was actually Sodom and Gomorrah, the towns that were so wicked that God had to destroy them. 2 Peter 2:7 even says that Lot was distressed by their wickedness. Sadly, Lot was not so distressed that he would move away until two angels dragged him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hands. That's like us when we compromise with the world. We want so badly to be at peace with worldly people in order to win them to Christ, but then we forget where to draw the line in interacting with them. If we don't constantly read the Scriptures and pray to God, then we will get lost in all the lures of the world.
Finally, Abraham was sad after Lot left. It seemed that since Abe still didn't have a child, that he considered Lot to be the heir to his property. God, instead of getting mad over Abe forgetting his promise, gently reminds him that he promised him land, a child, and countless descendants who would bless all the nations on the earth.
What does this passage teach about Abram's dependence on God? What criteria did Lot use when making his decision? What criteria should we use when making a major decision?
And I'll throw in a question for myself, how can I use the example of Abraham to get along with people? It's not the point of the lesson, but I seriously need to know when to choose battles, not be so open about objections, but be open about them when it's appropriate, and how to not appear judgmental. God didn't judge Abraham; how dare I be harsh with others?
Finally, there will be a multiple choice quiz, but I might just do that map game, again.
The intro activity is a taste test. Get four different brands of Cola (or Co-Coler if you're from the south), remove the labels and label them A to D. See if they can figure out which is which. I'd probably just get some 20 ounce bottles and cups, not 2 liters, because usually the most kids I have is one. I think this experiment is for discussing decisions.
Then, we read Genesis 13. We're reminded that Lot joined Abraham. He had probably also seen Egypt when Abe escaped the famine and narrowly escaped losing Sarah to Pharaoh (which by the way, I realize I forgot to teach last week. I might have to incorporate that story in with Hagar). We also notice that both Abraham and Lot were wealthy.
Despite their wealth, there was limited grass and water for both parties to live in the same place. Here is one of the ways that I admire Abraham. He just seemed to get along with everyone. He even got along with the King of Sodom, even though he refused to take compensation from him for saving them in the war in chapter 14. Even though, Abraham and Lot couldn't live on the same property anymore, their parting was peaceful, Abraham gave Lot the first choice in where to live, and they still got along afterward from what I recall. Abraham continued to pray for Lot when he knew God would destroy Sodom. I have a lot to learn from Abraham as far as people skills go.
Lot picked his land because it looked beautiful and well-watered. The land looked good and prosperous on the outside, but when he moved there, it was actually Sodom and Gomorrah, the towns that were so wicked that God had to destroy them. 2 Peter 2:7 even says that Lot was distressed by their wickedness. Sadly, Lot was not so distressed that he would move away until two angels dragged him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hands. That's like us when we compromise with the world. We want so badly to be at peace with worldly people in order to win them to Christ, but then we forget where to draw the line in interacting with them. If we don't constantly read the Scriptures and pray to God, then we will get lost in all the lures of the world.
Finally, Abraham was sad after Lot left. It seemed that since Abe still didn't have a child, that he considered Lot to be the heir to his property. God, instead of getting mad over Abe forgetting his promise, gently reminds him that he promised him land, a child, and countless descendants who would bless all the nations on the earth.
What does this passage teach about Abram's dependence on God? What criteria did Lot use when making his decision? What criteria should we use when making a major decision?
And I'll throw in a question for myself, how can I use the example of Abraham to get along with people? It's not the point of the lesson, but I seriously need to know when to choose battles, not be so open about objections, but be open about them when it's appropriate, and how to not appear judgmental. God didn't judge Abraham; how dare I be harsh with others?
Finally, there will be a multiple choice quiz, but I might just do that map game, again.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Divided
I have only heard of the DVD Divided. I have not read it but only a few reviews. From what I can tell, the author has a very good point. Churches are losing their children to the world because they are always separated from their parents and not integrated with all generations, learning wisdom from the elders.
I don't completely disagree with this, but I am a youth pastor, so I don't completely agree with this either. I do agree that youth pastors and church educators drop the ball all the time when it comes to teaching children about the Bible. I've been to way too many youth group meetings where the group played games the whole time and the Bible was not opened once. This is why Georgia is filled with so many people who call themselves Christians but have no clue what that means.
Mostly, however, the problem with our children comes when we consider the words of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. "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 upon 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."
One, we aren't teaching them to love the Lord with everything they got. We're not teaching them to love God more than their boyfriend, their best friend, their girlfriend, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, their iPod, their sleeping, their pizza, etc. So many things take priority over God during the week that it's no wonder they get distracted. Not only are we not teaching them now to love God first, but we aren't teaching them how to love him the other six days of the week. One day, they are in church learning about God from people who grew up with cliches and warm fuzzies. 5 days, they are in school with teachers that say you can't talk about Jesus or that evolution has been proved true. Saturday they're doing homework, reinforcing the world's message. Sunday, they're back in church and even the people there are saying God really created in 6 ages, not days, and that he probably used evolution to create man, now let's play Uno and learn how to get along with each other. Not that there isn't a time and place for fun and games. I plan on taking our kids to the local corn maze again real soon. When I teach, however, the center activity of my youth group is the Bible: reading and teaching it.
Two, we're not training the parents how to teach their children at home. Parents aren't talking about God at dinner, in the car on the way to soccer practice, or posting posters on their wall, their foreheads or their doorposts. We need to remember, that not all people can afford seminary, but all people need to know theology and definitions of Christianity. Children listen to their parents more than any person on earth, so the parents need to be the ones enforcing church doctrine at home. They need to read from the Bible, discuss it at dinner, and the youth pastor should be there to answer questions and guide them in the process.
Now, we come to some obstacles. I have three kids who live with their mom most of the time who is not a Christian. I have other kids who have neither parents in church. How do I coach their parents? I do pray for them. That's the most effective thing. This week, for my 12-year-old, I sent her home with a notebook full of Scripture readings related to our lesson this week. I also gave her the lesson for next week since she only comes when she's with her dad who is a devout Christian, who she only sees every other weekend. She also has more readings and questions for that lesson. She seemed really excited about the book. Maybe she'll share what she reads with her siblings and her mom. Who knows? I know the Lord is in control. I still haven't figured out the whole factor for my other kids. One kid brought her whole family who are now very active and bringing other kids. And that kid was brought by a girl who came with her grandfather once. Kids can be powerful evangelists.
Also, you need to have church on a level that the children can understand. I never appreciated sermons until the end of seminary when I understood that the preacher preached from the Word and that was how souls were awakened to receive the Gospel. You have to give the children church on their level. Many do not sit still and will simply fall asleep, especially in this ADD culture. You still need to read the Word and teach the basics, but give them pictures to color. Have them act out the story. Give them present-day scenarios.
Also, we return to kids who haven't grown up in church. So many make the mistake of assuming that they already know about creation, the Fall, the Flood, Babel, Abraham, etc. They don't. They can't read our minds. We have to teach them the basics, which is why we need Sunday School for all ages that teach the basics on their age level, whether age 2 or 22.
Already Gone by Ken Ham is a good book to read that has the same idea as Divided but is more willing to simply change Sunday School, not eliminate it. I'd recommend all people read it. It's already changed how I do ministry, at least in my youth newsletter. I now list my lessons in the newsletter so that parents can enforce them while at home. We'll see what happens from there.
I don't completely disagree with this, but I am a youth pastor, so I don't completely agree with this either. I do agree that youth pastors and church educators drop the ball all the time when it comes to teaching children about the Bible. I've been to way too many youth group meetings where the group played games the whole time and the Bible was not opened once. This is why Georgia is filled with so many people who call themselves Christians but have no clue what that means.
Mostly, however, the problem with our children comes when we consider the words of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. "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 upon 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."
One, we aren't teaching them to love the Lord with everything they got. We're not teaching them to love God more than their boyfriend, their best friend, their girlfriend, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, their iPod, their sleeping, their pizza, etc. So many things take priority over God during the week that it's no wonder they get distracted. Not only are we not teaching them now to love God first, but we aren't teaching them how to love him the other six days of the week. One day, they are in church learning about God from people who grew up with cliches and warm fuzzies. 5 days, they are in school with teachers that say you can't talk about Jesus or that evolution has been proved true. Saturday they're doing homework, reinforcing the world's message. Sunday, they're back in church and even the people there are saying God really created in 6 ages, not days, and that he probably used evolution to create man, now let's play Uno and learn how to get along with each other. Not that there isn't a time and place for fun and games. I plan on taking our kids to the local corn maze again real soon. When I teach, however, the center activity of my youth group is the Bible: reading and teaching it.
Two, we're not training the parents how to teach their children at home. Parents aren't talking about God at dinner, in the car on the way to soccer practice, or posting posters on their wall, their foreheads or their doorposts. We need to remember, that not all people can afford seminary, but all people need to know theology and definitions of Christianity. Children listen to their parents more than any person on earth, so the parents need to be the ones enforcing church doctrine at home. They need to read from the Bible, discuss it at dinner, and the youth pastor should be there to answer questions and guide them in the process.
Now, we come to some obstacles. I have three kids who live with their mom most of the time who is not a Christian. I have other kids who have neither parents in church. How do I coach their parents? I do pray for them. That's the most effective thing. This week, for my 12-year-old, I sent her home with a notebook full of Scripture readings related to our lesson this week. I also gave her the lesson for next week since she only comes when she's with her dad who is a devout Christian, who she only sees every other weekend. She also has more readings and questions for that lesson. She seemed really excited about the book. Maybe she'll share what she reads with her siblings and her mom. Who knows? I know the Lord is in control. I still haven't figured out the whole factor for my other kids. One kid brought her whole family who are now very active and bringing other kids. And that kid was brought by a girl who came with her grandfather once. Kids can be powerful evangelists.
Also, you need to have church on a level that the children can understand. I never appreciated sermons until the end of seminary when I understood that the preacher preached from the Word and that was how souls were awakened to receive the Gospel. You have to give the children church on their level. Many do not sit still and will simply fall asleep, especially in this ADD culture. You still need to read the Word and teach the basics, but give them pictures to color. Have them act out the story. Give them present-day scenarios.
Also, we return to kids who haven't grown up in church. So many make the mistake of assuming that they already know about creation, the Fall, the Flood, Babel, Abraham, etc. They don't. They can't read our minds. We have to teach them the basics, which is why we need Sunday School for all ages that teach the basics on their age level, whether age 2 or 22.
Already Gone by Ken Ham is a good book to read that has the same idea as Divided but is more willing to simply change Sunday School, not eliminate it. I'd recommend all people read it. It's already changed how I do ministry, at least in my youth newsletter. I now list my lessons in the newsletter so that parents can enforce them while at home. We'll see what happens from there.
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