March 17

Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.

What do you fear? One of the greatest fears I have as a father is of being greeted in heaven by the many people I have led to the Lord but failing to find my own children there. When I think about that possibility of that occurring it causes me sleepless nights. Now I know that God in his sovereignty is working everything out, but it is difficult from a human position to contemplate the reality. Over the centuries there have been many famous Christian’s whose children have not followed in their footsteps. D.L. Moody, A.W. Tozar, Charles H Spurgeon were men who faced this issue. This was also true for the first generation after the death of Joshua.

My hope on this beautiful spring day is that there are ways to guard against raising children who are spiritual wash outs. The strategy is not to raise perfect children, but children who. when they are older. will choose to love and serve God.

Here is a picture of the spiritual slide in the generations:
1st Generation. See the miracles and workings of God. They choose to live to please God and not people. They pray, read the word and are concerned with reaching outsiders. They are radically generous and have great joy in their walk with the Lord.
2nd generation. They are carried to church and do not see any radical change in their lives. 75% of them are saved before age 14. They don’t have the personal stories of God working mighty miracles in their lives. They never take a risk with God. They play it safe and live in their comfort zone. This generation places materialism in the place of God.
3rd Generation. They come to church but question WHY? It’s boring; it is hopelessly out of touch. The second generation says, “I know, but come to church anyhow.” The 3rd generation watches their parents and sees the inconsistencies and cry out “hypocrite.” When they come to me for counseling the 2nd generation says, “Didn’t I give you everything?” “I did it all for you.” But the third generation says, “I didn’t want your money, I wanted a parent.”

So what is the plan to move our children back to a first generation experience with God?

As parents we must “burn out” for Jesus. There is no place for lukewarm, comfortable Christianity in this world. When we think of the cross and the commitment Jesus made for us, this gives us the fuel necessary to make the radical commitment. “Yawning Christianity” is extremely dangerous. If you want the next generation to catch the Christian virus, we must be contagious.

I don’t know what this contagious Christianity will look like in your life and your family, but it is the only hope for your children. We can turn the tide, but it will only occur one life at a time.