Bible Verse: The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.“ (Genesis 12:1)
Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:1-9
“We pat ourselves on the back when we can showcase some happy families with virgin children who don’t swear.”[1] Is this all God has in mind for our families and children?
Many kids leave the Church; the surveys are in, and the stats unsettle. What needs to change, and what should we keep doing regardless of what the stats say?
Modern parents scoff at “helicopter parents,” oblivious to their own hovering. Therapist Sissy Goff writes about how over-protective and over-controlling parenting causes adolescent anxiety.[2] Our overdone attempt to keep them safe actually endangers their well-being. We must let risk, failure, and danger grow them up while we walk alongside them.
Similarly, the instinct to stay safe as Christians has kept adults and kids alike from growing up in their faith. Francis Chan wrote the line I began with. He invites us to consider what God has in mind for our children.
Could it be that God has different goals for families and children’s ministries than nice-looking families with virgin children who don’t swear? Why do we so often presume our kids can’t share the Gospel, pray for the sick, or love “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-46)?
Why do we tolerate or entertain them in our services instead of equipping them and inviting them into the risky, abundant life of following Christ, even when they’re young?
Scripture is full of God calling us into risky living. Abraham leaves his comfort. Nearly every day of Jesus’ ministry is spent with unsavoury characters and in frequently dangerous circumstances. Flip through your Bible today and ask how much of the time God’s people had comfort and safety as their highest priorities.
We need to consider the role that risk has in our life of faith. We must embrace this and bring our kids along for the ride. This is an evident biblical truth that all of us can easily ignore. Jesus is calling us and our kids into Kingdom risks.
I’ll give Jesus the final words today: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own… you do not belong to the world…in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world…Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name…” (John 15:18-19a; 16:33b; 17:11b)
Prayer: Lord, we are often afraid to truly follow You in all things, and even more afraid that our kids will too. Give us the peace You promised, and empower us and our kids to follow You wherever You call. Amen.
Reflection: How do you react to Francis Chan’s quote at the start of this article? Do you think God would ever invite our kids into risky living for the sake of His kingdom? Why or why not?
[1] Francis Chan, Letters To The Church.
[2] Sissy Goff, Raising Worry-Free Girls.
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