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Living In Grace

A Christ inspired work dealing with American Christian Culture in the New Century.

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Church, Parents, and Universities Oh My!!

On this Friday I only have one link to share and I feel that it is a good read for everyone who claims to be a Christian and parents at the same time. Mike Duran, at His blog DeCompose, wrote about the failure of the Church to produce young adults who are strong in their faith and can withstand the pressures of secularized higher education.

For many years, especially in the United States, we have abandoned the intellect to anecdotal wisdom and emotional outbursts which are a poor substitute for rigorous and faithful study of the Scriptures and the history of the Church. 

When we send our children out into the world how have we prepared them for what they will face?  Fathers,  have you relinquished your God given role in the family to train and admonish your children in the ways of the Lord?  Mothers, have you handed your children over to others to raise them while you chase the American Corporate Dream?  Before anyone says anything I want to make it clear that I know each family's circumstances are different and some moms must work, but the overblown and outspoken feminist lie that to have worth you must work outside the home is just that, a lie.  God have parents the responsibility to raise and instruct their children in a Godly manner and to often we have abdicated that responsibility to the schools and daycares.

Churches, are you training parents and all adults to be able to disciple their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews?  Are you building their foundation upon the Rock of Christ Jesus so that when their faith is questioned they will have an answer for the hope that dwells within them?  Do we have discipleship classed, apologetics courses, or small group studies to prepare parents for the trials of raising kids into God-fearing adults?

One last thing I want to add is this:  If they are truly God's and have been born again then God will keep them.  It is His responsibility to keep His own and He is more than capable of doing it.  That does not mean that we are to neglect our roles as parents and Christians in the homes or that the Church should throw up their hands and say oh well what will happen will happen.  God both ordains the means and the ends and He gave parents to disciple kids and the Church to disciple all of us. 

The Church will stand, God's people will make it, and HE is faithful to keep what we have entrusted to Him.l

Have you entrusted your children to Him?  Are you training them in the way that they should go?

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7 Comments:

Anonymous Jessica Mokrzycki said...

Being a parent in today's society and culture can be a daunting task. I thank God for His Word, which I use to instruct me on how to instruct and care for our children and the Spirit within which helps inpsire me to choose my words and action carefully and with discernment. My husband and I both agreed it was best for me to stay home and raise our children, who are still young, until they were full time in school. There is no greater honor and joy than watching them grow, learn and experience things for the first time and being right there with them to help instruct, guide and nurture them. It has put off my future dreams, been a financial sacrifice, but I believe it is all worth it as it is beautiful fruit for His Kingdom.

Great post. ~blessings :)

June 17, 2011 at 6:11 PM  
Anonymous Luther@Living In Grace said...

You are right Jessica it can be a daunting task.  Watching my kids grow is truly a blessing that God has granted me to grow me closer to Him also.  I cannot lead if I do not know where I am going

June 20, 2011 at 11:17 AM  
Anonymous Ron said...

Greetings from Southern California

I am your newest follower. I invite you to visit TOGB and become a follower, if you want too.

Take care and have a nice day :-)

June 20, 2011 at 6:49 PM  
Anonymous Mark Ashcroft said...

A great post and a great source article.  My wife and I also decided the right thing to do was have my wife home as full-time mum.  We are the only ones amongst our friends, both Christian and not-yet Christian.  My wife and I were both saved later in life and have never seen what a Christian family looks like...  In addition my daughter's grandparents are not-yets and some of their influences are not positive.  So my dilemma is that whilst I know what I am supposed to achieve, I have no model to follow.  We pray, read Bible stories and she goes to Sunday school.  The kids ministry is large and vibrant but much more at the fun end of the spectrum, but it is the church that God put us in, at least for now.  We gather what we can from books, magazines, Christian ministries etc.  My church offers some courses, Valiant Man etc and there is a short parenting course (4 evenings which they charge for) but there is no co-ordinated discipleship program.  I have done a number of courses in different churches but IMO what is needed is a structured discipleship program that members work their way through, rather than the common model where it is left to members who are keen to seek out (and often pay for) the courses they think they need.  Of the members who really need discipleship, most may only be getting the Sunday morning sermon.

June 20, 2011 at 11:49 PM  
Anonymous Luther@Living In Grace said...

Thanks for stopping by Mark and I commend you and your wife for making the decision for her to stay at home.  Not all people can but if possible I do believe it is the best.

Mark, as hard as it is sometimes we must seek out Godly role models ( everyone of us ) to disciple, encourage, and correct us. 

Is the kid's ministry teaching the Word while having fun doing it?  If it is more oriented towards fun than truth maybe you can prayerfully get involved and impact the lives of the young ones.

Is there a small group of like minded parents that you and your wife can associate with that would help you guys grow in the Lord?  I have found that is one of the greatest blessings in our church is people with similar problems as ours.

I will be praying for those unsaved in your family that they will come to know the Lord and help to be Godly role models for your daughter.

God bless Mark and keep the Faith.

June 21, 2011 at 11:25 AM  
Anonymous Mark Ashcroft said...

Hey thanks Luther.  You are right of course.  We have had a few false starts at connecting  with a small group in the church.  But it needs to be done.  This year has been a bit ropey so far but it is time to pick up the ball and run with it.  Interestingly, God drew me into the kids ministry here...  We will see where He goes with it!

June 25, 2011 at 4:26 AM  
Anonymous Luther@Living In Grace said...

Where ever He does go with it will be worth it.

June 26, 2011 at 5:10 PM  

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