What did the testimony on Capitol Hill by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have in common with 401 children taken from a San Angelo, Texas, compound of Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints?
Both demonstrate our government’s efforts to make life safer for the next generation.
Putting aside political maneuvering and constitutionality issues, being concerned about the next generation is always a worthy cause! But can our government, or any government for that matter, really secure our children’s future?
In the Bible, it becomes clear that God never intended governments to have that responsibility. Solomon was speaking to parents when he said, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
If we really want to save our children, we must understand how to appropriately help them in each of their developmental stages, both physically and spiritually. Securing a safe environment in the world or in the church alone will not secure their future. We need a growth plan!
The first need a newborn has is to breathe! Likewise, spiritual newborns first need to learn how to pray. Infants need frequent feedings. New believers need frequent teachings. And both physical and spiritual infants need LOTS OF LOVE!
Toddlers gradually move from need constant care and attention to needing one-on-one INSTRUCTION on how to get to know the family and learn their place in the family. Likewise, spiritual toddlers need one-on-one instruction on how to CONNECT with their spiritual family. Most people who leave the church do so because they’ve never really CONNECTED with the congregation!
Young children must learn how to appropriately assert him or herself, in a DISCIPLINED WAY. Likewise, young Christians must be encouraged to take responsibility for their further growth and maturity.
Older children must learn how to do chores, value life, and work together. Likewise, older Christians must learn additional skills for ministry, and how to work together in ministry!
Teenagers must learn how to mentor younger brothers and sisters, even as they continue to develop their own autonomy by following the examples of worthy models. Likewise, spiritual ‘adolescents’ needs both good models and good opportunities to be models for those younger than them!
Finally, adults must learn to RESPONSIBLY reproduce and raise the next generation. Likewise, spiritual ‘adults’ are those who have learned how to evangelize, mentor, and make disciples. You can TEACH what YOU KNOW, but you will only REPRODUCE what YOU ARE!
Can I encourage you today to take a cue from the headlines? All too often they remind us that there is a lot at stake in our world events today? If we truly want to ‘save our children,’ we will do MORE than rely on our military and police motorcades; we will learn and apply the biblical systems of “training a child up in the way he should go!”
A friend of mine shared some thoughts with me the other day, and I wanted to pass those onto you as well.
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