THE GENERATIONAL FAITH GAP!

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"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart

 from it." (Prov. 22:6)

   

How many times have you heard this? 

Probably enough to give any speaker casual assent to its truths, but did it really resonate in your heart!?

Here's another one!

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and

your mother, Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well." (2 Timothy 1:5)

Truth be told, there exist for many a Christian parent a huge gap between the admonition of the Proverbs writer and the confidence of the Apostle Paul in 64 AD!   One can only imagine how large that gulf has become now that we're in the 21st century!  How do I know this?  Because in an openly candid conversation with my 18 year old grandson it became my own reality!  He point blank told me, He Does Not Pray!!!

He didn't say he didn't believe in God or that he didn't want ME to PRAY for him...he just doesn't do it himself!  So, what's the big deal! But to me it's a VERY BIG DEAL!

This is the child that I personally led to a faith in Christ at the age of eight years old!  Who as a grandparent wouldn't let him put a morsel of food in his mouth before saying Grace! Who made sure that overnight stays ended with a prayer on our knees before bedtime! Who read him bible stories and on occasions when he had to go to school from our house, we prayed before he stepped out the door!

WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS FAITH?

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 I was deeply concerned!  I talked to the Lord quite awhile about it! I even re-read his journal, the one I'd started before he was born and I had PROOF!  I have prayed consistently for his soul; that he grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! (Ephesians 6:4)  

WAS THIS NOT ENOUGH, LORD!?

Then I began to recall the many prayer requests of parents and grandparents for covering of their Prodigal children. I did a literature search that confirmed the plethora of sermons, blogs, and biblical/ cultural studies regarding the lack of interest by our children in All things Spiritual! The conclusion for many:  FAITH IN GOD IS NOT A PRIORITY!  THE BIBLE HAS NO AUTHORITY IN LIFE DECISIONS!

THE BIG SURPRISE!

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What may surprise you is that this Faith Gap is not just among those from unchurched homes.  Parents whose children went to private Christian schools; who made sure their children were in Sunday school, AWANA, Vacation Bible School, Youth bible studies and camps, even those who ministered in various positions at church fell into this camp! This is not to say that these things are not beneficial or that time and money was wasted!  Just that they MAY NOT be enough when they meet the real world without you around!

START DEEP CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FAITH NOW!

 IF YOU DARE!  Ask your sons, daughters or grandchildren (without fear of punishment or judgment ) any of the following questions: Be keenly aware of answers designed to tell you what they think you want to hear to avoid the God Talk!  I warn you this may be uncomfortable for both of you!!!

1.  How do you really feel about attending church or church events?

2.  Do you believe that the Bible is the only truth that exist in the world?

3. Is there anything in the Bible that you think might not be true for today?

4. What do you think happens when people die?

5.  Is Jesus the only way a person can go to heaven?

6. Do you pray? (If YES, how often?  Do you pray when others are watching?)

7. Where does God fit in your personal, education or career plans?

WHAT I'M  LEARNING!

• It's NEVER TOO LATE to reach a child suffering from a Faith Gap (one who is unsaved, uninterested in Spiritual matters,  or who you believe may be saved but not walking with the Lord!)    Click here:

• The Enemy wants you to believe his BIG LIE that You no longer have influence  because they are not in your home! What the Apostle Paul was saying to Timothy in the scripture cited earlier (2 Timothy 1:5) was only the confirmation of  Deuteronomy 11:19 Click here:. 

• The SECOND BIG LIE: The older generation is not needed! Stop sharing Christ and your life in Christ with them because they will not listen any way!

•  I was much encouraged in my research by this YouTube video by Rob Rienow,  Never Too Late: Encouraging Faith in Your Adult Child.  Click here: Visionary Parenting

•  Four Principles Rob Rienow shares to help new and struggling parents or grandparents nurture faith in their children -- a significant source of Faith Gaps in our loved ones:   (A) Offer your heart to the Lord;  (B) Turn your heart to your child (Luke 1:16-17; Matt. 9:36);  (C) Draw your child's heart  to yours (Proverbs. 23:24-26); then  (D) Point your child's heart to God .

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I PRAY FOR YOU 

AND ALL OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME

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