What draws our children to respond to the call "come chill wid me" and not the call "come follow me"?
Last night I slept knowing that I have two of the greatest relationships in the world; my relationship with Jesus the Christ and my husband. I like a number of Christians who are parents also want the best relationship that we can with our children; and for their children to continue their relationship with Jesus. But as our children grow out of their young teens and finish high school and move on to college or not, they move away from their own personal relationship with Jesus and begin hanging out with people who bring them "immediate" comfort (false as it is). I've been there myself I can relate.
My question, how can we give understanding to our children how drinking, smoking herbal essence and sexing is so detrimental to their lives? Can you help answer this question?
Last night at Revival, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Guns, senior pastor of 2nd Calvary Baptist in Norfolk Virginia began to answer that question for me in his lesson on how to say "Yes" to discipleship and accepting the challenge. That wasn't his title, but that is what I got from his message. Last night he taught from Matthew 4:18-22 when Jesus began preaching and called his first disciples. The first question he asked was “What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus; not necessarily a member of a church?” What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ?
In the scripture, Peter, Andrew, James and John gave up everything that they knew; their home, their business and their family to follow Jesus. Jesus simply said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” The call to follow Jesus is a call to discipleship. The definition of discipleship in this case is having an adherence to Christ to form a partnership with Him; to accept His mission and vision and carry it out faithfully.
Last night Rev. Guns focused on the commission to carry the gospel to the whole world. My thoughts this morning are, how about carrying the gospel to our children where they really need to understand Jesus. Not just plan activities that will keep them busy and out of trouble. As a new parent, I am finding that children are like pets that are kept on leases and when they reach a certain age are let loose to run free. We believe that they are trained and well suited to roam on their own. Yet once they are out of our sight, they run into others who come from all walks of life. Now wouldn’t it be wonderful if the training they received in our churches held and they were strong enough to withstand the temptations of the worldly new friends?
“Follow me” Jesus said. This is the challenge that we have been given. Rev. Guns said that most people now days are searching for their own individual purpose. “Purpose Driven Lives” is a great tool to find God’s desire for our lives. Yet, our children search for their purpose through the tools of radio, internet, television and movies and amongst themselves. Millions of dollars are spent to tell our children their purpose in life is to have as much fun as they can pack in because life is short and tragic.
“Follow me” says the advertisements and the pimps and the drug dealers and the little boys and little girls with raging hormones.
“Follow me” says the black and milds and the forties and the tequilas and the condoms that swear they will protect them from pregnancy and disease.
“Follow me” says other religions that offer whatever attracts others to their doctrines.
The first disciples left their family to followed Jesus. He called them individually. They were not special with super powers. They were ordinary people. But, they had Jesus in front of them living, breathing and teaching. It is so much easier to follow flesh and blood. The challenge for us and our children is to see Jesus as still living and breathing even though he may not be flesh and blood, he still lives. Our challenge as we follow Jesus is to make him real to our children.
I know many good Christian parents have experienced the depth of despair as they witness their children moving further and further away from what they were taught as they grew up in the Lord. The challenge is great but do-able. Jesus has changed ordinary people into extra-ordinary people. He can also change a desperate situation into one of triumph.
To help our children first we must say, “Yes I will follow you Lord.” Then dedicate ourselves to the challenge of obedience. Learn to be consistent in our walk; not just when we are expected to or when being watched. Commit ourselves at any cost to follow Him. Get our home right, and then turn our sights to join the global crusade to spread the gospel. By strengthening ourselves and then our home, we strengthen the body of Christ.
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