We’re Losing Our Kids to the World, But There is Hope!

The Other day I read an article, supposedly from an atheist philosophy professor who prides herself on deconstructing the faith of Christian students. This professor claimed that it was easy: kids who grew up in church had only learned circular reasoning, and the best argument they could come up with was “the Bible says so.” They were not taught to ask questions, and when they DID ask questions, were told “pray on it.” Now, I know it was likely an AI advertisement, but there is some truth to what is being said on it: we’re losing our kids, because they grow up going to church, but lack authentic faith. I’ve met hundreds of people who DID say they were discouraged to ask questions, and that their faith was in crisis because someone with a strong argument they were not prepared for came along and shook them to their core. So what is the solution?

First and foremost, we need to teach our kids to ask questions, and when the answer is not available, find people who can answer those questions. “It’s because, that’s why” is not acceptable to a growing faith, and it certainly does not help mature a believer! When our kids leave our homes, we are sending them in to a world that absolutely wants to destroy their faith, and is it a shocker? Satan, who loves to kill, steal and destroy wants to do just that to us and our children! Peter says Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17)

Notice here how he says the world seeks to destroy us (make us suffer), but we should always be ready to give a defense? We should demonstrate this, but also raise up and train our children to do the same. The world calls raising our children to believe in Jesus, but has no problem in diverting them to any philosophy other than Jesus. It’s time we take a stand for our homes. It’s time we say “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Let’s stop playing games with Jesus, and make every day a day as if we’re either going to proclaim His name, or meet Him face to face.

1 Peter 3:8-27

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love lifeand see good days,let him keep his tongue from eviland his lips from speaking deceit;let him turn away from evil and do good;let him seek peace and pursue it.For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,and his ears are open to their prayer.But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.