“If you look around your church today, two-thirds of the young people who are sitting among us have already left in their hearts; soon they will be gone for good.” This is the shocking conclusion from a study Answers in Genesis commissioned from America’s Research Group, led by respected researcher Britt Beemer. The results may unnerve you – they may shake long-held assumptions to the core – but these results need to be taken seriously by the 21st century church and by Christian parents.
The study found that we are losing our kids in elementary, middle school, and high school rather than college. This is an alarming wake-up call…for the church, showing how our programs and our approaches to making disciples of our children under age 18 are failing…for parents, showing how our fractured and harried families, with their misplaced priorities, are failing to influence the character of Christ being formed in our sons and daughters. Our children are paying the price for the breakdown in what should be a mutually supportive disciple-making partnership between the church and Christian parents.
Southern Baptist Convention researcher Ed Stetzer noted, “There is no easy way to say it, but it must be said. Parents and churches are not passing on a robust Christian faith and an accompanying commitment to the church. We can take some solace in the fact that many do eventually return. But, Christian parents and churches need to ask the hard question, “What is it about our faith commitment that does not find root in the lives of our children?”
It is my opinion that the answer is not complicated. It is actually quite short and simple: We must do a better job of defending the Word of God, living out the Word of God and teaching the Word of God to our children while we have them [birth to age 18].
Pray with me… Father God, there is no task that is more demanding … no task that is more rewarding than making disciples of our children and grandchildren. Consistently showing them and constantly teaching them what it means to follow Jesus, to be changed by Jesus and be on mission with Jesus throughout their lives. Empower us as parents and pastors to lock arms in this vitally important task. We pray in the name of Jesus, the One we worship, love, obey and serve above all else and above all others, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Monday, June 1, 2015
6/1/15 -40 days
'If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” John 15:7-8
Lord, we as a people have become self-absorbed and busy with activities that bring temporal value. Help us turn our hearts back to you and your word so our nation will bear the fruit of righteousness and be set above all other nations! Strengthen us with the power of your spirit in our inner being as we strive to abide in you and continue in faith that you will do more for us than we could ever imagine. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Lord, we as a people have become self-absorbed and busy with activities that bring temporal value. Help us turn our hearts back to you and your word so our nation will bear the fruit of righteousness and be set above all other nations! Strengthen us with the power of your spirit in our inner being as we strive to abide in you and continue in faith that you will do more for us than we could ever imagine. In the name of Jesus, amen.
5/31/15
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Lord, you have commanded us to make disciples of all nations—may we begin within our own hearts! You are the way, the truth, and the life, and we thank you for your promise to be with us always. Give us sincerity of heart and unfailing courage to spread this good news, whether with our neighbors across the street or with lost souls across the earth. We trust in you to work through us—without you we can do nothing! In the name of Jesus, amen.
Lord, you have commanded us to make disciples of all nations—may we begin within our own hearts! You are the way, the truth, and the life, and we thank you for your promise to be with us always. Give us sincerity of heart and unfailing courage to spread this good news, whether with our neighbors across the street or with lost souls across the earth. We trust in you to work through us—without you we can do nothing! In the name of Jesus, amen.
5/30/15
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
Father, we know that your heart’s desire for us is to be at peace with you and those around us. Place within our hearts the desire to live for you and to listen to the leading of your spirit. Let us diligently search for you. Open our eyes that we might see what is good, honorable, and just for this country and for the well- being of all people. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Father, we know that your heart’s desire for us is to be at peace with you and those around us. Place within our hearts the desire to live for you and to listen to the leading of your spirit. Let us diligently search for you. Open our eyes that we might see what is good, honorable, and just for this country and for the well- being of all people. In the name of Jesus, amen.
5/29/15
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God; Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3
Father, humble our hearts today so that we will hear your voice. Help us as a nation to obey your voice in all that we say and do. Continue to bless us, O Lord, and give us a compassionate and giving heart toward those around us. Hold us to a higher calling, that we will carefully observe your commandments and be a nation under God with liberty and justice for all. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Father, humble our hearts today so that we will hear your voice. Help us as a nation to obey your voice in all that we say and do. Continue to bless us, O Lord, and give us a compassionate and giving heart toward those around us. Hold us to a higher calling, that we will carefully observe your commandments and be a nation under God with liberty and justice for all. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
5/28/15
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Father, the worries of each day are ever around us. Conflict, both within and without, threatens the peace we so desperately want and seek. Father, we come to you with an open heart, seeking your guidance and being content with all that you have given us as a nation. Guard our hearts, O Lord, so that we will be faithful to you, and let the peace of your presence surround us each and every day. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Father, the worries of each day are ever around us. Conflict, both within and without, threatens the peace we so desperately want and seek. Father, we come to you with an open heart, seeking your guidance and being content with all that you have given us as a nation. Guard our hearts, O Lord, so that we will be faithful to you, and let the peace of your presence surround us each and every day. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
5/27/15
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Lord, You have asked us to call to You, with the promise that You will answer when we do. We humbly seek Your guidance for our nation. Give us wisdom so that we will be a people guided by Your Spirit and filled with Your presence. Help us, O Lord, to honor You in word and deed, that we as a people will have Your blessing and favor. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Lord, You have asked us to call to You, with the promise that You will answer when we do. We humbly seek Your guidance for our nation. Give us wisdom so that we will be a people guided by Your Spirit and filled with Your presence. Help us, O Lord, to honor You in word and deed, that we as a people will have Your blessing and favor. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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