I have never liked it when people comment, “Children are the future of the church.” The same applies to Whitney Houston’s hit song, The Greatest Love of All. Sorry, Whitney. It was not your best work. While I understand the intent, I have a fundamental problem with this assertion. To say that children are the future is correct in that they will one day grow to lead, but it is incorrect because it leads to the assumption that they are not a part of the Church now.
Children are vitally important to the church today. They are just as crucial as others within the congregation. So, yes, I do understand the future aspect, but I believe we need to spend time and energy on their discipleship. Not simply because they are future leaders but because they are children of God now, capable of sharing their faith and discipling someone else.
God gave the children of Israel instructions to pass the faith from one generation to the next. That is necessary for the continued propagation of the Gospel. We must never forget that it is also about seeing that individual child in a loving and growing relationship with Christ. It’s personal.
King David was a mighty leader of Israel. He led well in battle and spiritual matters. Of course, we know that he was not perfect. He made mistakes. Perhaps one of the saddest is recorded in 1 Kings 1:5-6.
The NLT says, “About that time, David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.” Emphasis Mine
Kind David led the nation of Israel but failed to lead his family. As a result, his son did not have a personal relationship with God, nor would he lead others into a similar faith. Instead, he sought to make himself king. He ignored God’s word, declaring Solomon the next king.
David was a warrior and was likely away from his family for long periods, including the formative years of his kids. In our American culture and way of life, we work hard to make that promotion or to advance our financial security. Too often, this is accomplished at the expense of our families. We focus so much on the job at hand that we miss the most important thing: ensuring that a deep and personal faith grows in our kids. Or, if you do not have kids, the next generation of believers where you have influence.
Last week, my blog focused on the beautiful words of King David in Psalm 23. I love this Psalm, and studying David for that matter, because he often uses personal phraseology. “The Lord is my Shepherd.” “I will dwell in the house of the Lord.” For David, it was personal, but he failed to make it personal for his kids.
It’s personal for our kids. It is eternally essential for them and those that they, too, will reach.
Through Time 