“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of our Lord, about His power and His mighty works.” (Psalm 78:4 NLT)
As I walk my dogs each morning there’s a section of the sidewalk that has been replaced. There are bicycle tire tracks across that section and a few names from some of the neighbor kids. Those tracks and initials would be nearly impossible to etch into that concrete once it’s dried. They had to have been made while the cement was soft, before it had completely set up.
Statistics reveal that the vast majority of people who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, make their decision to follow Him before age 19. Why is that? Largely because that’s about the time many go off to college or start their first full-time job. They begin their journey into adulthood, with all of it’s pitfalls and stumbling blocks. Why is that so vital for us to know?
Parents in greater numbers today are waiting until their children are old enough to decide whether they will attend church or children’s and youth activities, not realizing that few will opt to go unless their parents are already investing themselves in the church’s ministries. The parents believe it’s not fair to “make” their children go.
I realize there are exceptions, but under most circumstances, when children are babies or toddlers, we take them wherever we go whether they “want” to go or not. We take them to their pediatrician, sometimes literally kicking and screaming. Why? Because we know it’s in their best interest. Knowing Jesus is definitely in their best interest.
Our children’s and grandchildren’s eternal destiny is literally at risk when we leave such a major decision up to them without proper counsel. We must give them training, not only by taking them to church, but by reading the Bible or Bible stories and/or telling them stories of our own pilgrimage as a believer. We must also take every opportunity to pray with them. Much of our faith is more “caught” than taught.
When our children are young, they are like the cement when it’s first poured, very impressionable. Those early years before they become a teen are the best years to let them “catch” our faith, but if your children or grandchildren are already into their teens or beyond is there still something you can do?
Yes, absolutely. Three things that all of us can do: (1) pray for them, (2) live for Jesus consistently before them, and (3) love them in age-appropriate ways and inviting ways, creating in them a desire for the One whom you love and serve.
One other thing that comes to mind is to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to touch the lives of children in your spheres of influence: at church, in your neighborhood, or in your extended family. Love is contagious, so if you love Jesus and He loves the children to whom you have access, His Spirit will work in ways that are humanly impossible.
I sensed God’s presence when I was very young at one of the few church services we attended, but I didn’t understand what it was. We rarely went to church, so for me, it wasn’t until I was 15 when I finally invited Jesus into my life.
If you haven’t yet met Jesus, please watch the brief video below to learn how you can allow the Lord to become the Savior of your life. You will never regret it. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god
If you know children or teens who need Jesus, please pray and do whatever you can to help them meet Him while the “cement” of their heart is still soft.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 