Reflection on Raising G-Rated Kids Series

I hope those who attended our “Raising G-Rated Kids in an X-Rated World” the last six weeks found the series helpful, no matter what your role in the lives of kids. It was not intended as only a parenting series (thought I hope parents got a lot out of it), the goal was to give God an opportunity to speak into the lives of everyone who has a role in the lives of children—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, Sunday School workers, coaches, group and scout leaders. I also tried to make it clear that (though it may sound trite) it really does take the whole church to raise a child. Meaning, it is God’s intention that the whole church shape and spiritually form the lives of those who grow up and participate here, and this is a responsibility our church needs to take seriously. I am thankful to be part of a church that is deeply committed to children and youth ministries. Let me urge you again, when you see one of our students in the hallway, say “hello,” and ask a few questions about their life. Show some interest. Then leave them with a warm handshake and an affirming comment (in the Bible that’s called a blessing.)
I took some of my inspiration for the series from an outstanding preaching pastor in the Covenant named Ray Johnston. Ray is the senior pastor at Bayside Covenant Church in Roseville, CA. Ray’s series was 10 weeks in length, mine was six, so I didn’t go into as much depth as Ray but I did get some helpful ideas from him in developing the series. He urged me to preach on this topic when I saw him last June, just before I did my July study leave and made my preaching plans for the year.
Whenever I offer a series like this I always get a few questions from the parents of kids who are struggling through their teen years or maybe are in their 20’s, and are not in any visible way walking with the Lord. In fact, they may appear to have turned their back on God and the church. If that’s your situation, I encourage you to hang in there, keep praying, and don’t give up. Maturing is a challenge for all of us. I have heard numerous testimonies over the years from people who walked away from faith in high school or the early adult years, but then came back with great passion a decade or so later. We have a great promise from Proverbs, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I said “tongue in cheek” that “when he is old,” means 75, at least. It’s hard to put a number on that statement but I do know this, it’s not 19 or 23 or even 30. Keep praying for you adult children who have wandered from the Lord, they will turn back and will find Him waiting with open arms, like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, of whom it says he saw his son coming while still at a distance. In other words, this father’s love motivated him to be watching and waiting each day for his son’s return. Parents, you planted the seeds of faith in your son’s or daughter’s life, now give them time to grow, they will come to fruition.
It is now Lent season. We began Lent with a solemn and reflective Ash Wednesday service. We will now turn our attention to a few of the parables of Jesus as we move toward the great and wonderful celebration of Easter.

Gratefully Serving,

--Pastor Keith