WHERE DID OUR KIDS GO?
Where did our kids go? This is a continual question that many parents ask. It seems like we turn around and they are grown and leaving home to make lives for themselves. Many of them are reared in the church; however, many of them do not remain faithful to God or His church.
Who is to blame? Almost universally the church is blamed. "If the church had only had a good youth program, my kids would be faithful today." Or, "we just don’t do enough for the kids." I am not against having a strong youth program for our teens/pre-teens, provided we keep it on a spiritual level. I am also not against Christian youth getting together to enjoy one another and doing fun things. The church does not have a responsibility to provide entertainment for our kids, neither does it have a responsibility to raise them and make sure they remain faithful.
Let’s put the responsibility squarely where it belongs. Parents are responsible for teaching and training their children. (Ephesians 6:4) "And you, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" also, (Proverbs 22:6),” Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The church cannot serve as a substitute parent for parents too busy with work, recreation, etc. to do their jobs as parents.
Here are some suggestions for those of us with children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews, whether young or old. It’s not too late for any of us to make an impact on those whom we love.