Tuesday April 12, 2011

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: What every child needs

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Today Is The Day, Holding Nothing Back, Jesus Paid It All, I Will Follow

Read: Psalms 101:2, Mark 10:13-16

Think: Growing up, my parents always asked me the routine question, “how was church today?” and in response, I gave them the routine, “oh, it was good,” then all conversation regarding church and faith came to a halt until the following Sunday when the routine question and answer drill continued.

What was happening in my family was that my parents gave the church sole ownership of their child’s (my) faith. Like pastor Ben suggested- many parents are used to dropping their kids off at soccer practice, music lessons, school, and other activities and they see church (youth group) in the same manner.  This attitude suggests that the youth pastors will take care of all things spiritual in their kid's life and their only responsibility is to make sure they have the transportation. 

This is a very dangerous habit. Faith is such an important aspect of a child's life that it demands more than a one-hour a week youth group.  Developing faith in children demands a full participation and partnership with the church.  The parents are responsible, as much as the church,  if not more, to cultivate their children’s knowledge, love and hope in God. 

Do: Get the lesson/material from their pastor or Sunday school teacher and go over it with them every day this week. Create daily goals for each day that pertains to Sunday’s lesson i.e. “your goal is to encourage 2 people today at school.”

Pray: God, help me to be the mother/father that you created me to be and help our family to keep you center of our lives. Amen. 

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.