Image by chefranden via Flickr
Can you believe that we’re not telling people about Jesus? At least not like we (the Church) used to. I know that I was surprised and saddened as I learned about this from a recent Barna Report.
If you read the report, you’ll find that it was focused specifically on teens. And you might think that gives us “adults” a pass on this. After all, we’re not under the microscope. That’s just not right.
We are under the microscope. Sure, teens are influenced heavily by our culture. But they’re also influenced by family, peer groups, and subculture. If our teens are failing to live their faith, it’s our fault. We have failed. And we need God’s help to fix it.
Point the Finger at Me
I suppose I should have expected this shift. I know that I don’t share my faith as much I ought. I sure don’t share my faith as much as my parents and grandparents did. Man, I ought to be exploding with joy over what God has done in my life.
I mean, if I really believe what I say I believe, I can’t imagine that I’d fail to tell anybody about it. After all, God has made a way for me to be right with him! That’s unbelievable to me!
How about you? Do you share your faith?
Why Aren’t We Telling People About Jesus?
There are many possible reasons that we don’t tell people about Jesus:
- We don’t really believe it ourselves
- We’ve been so indoctrinated by our culture that we believe it’s bad to tell people the truth
- We don’t believe (or don’t care) that people actually do die and go to hell
- We’re afraid to be attacked for our beliefs
- We haven’t been discipled
- We’ve never thought about how we might tell people about Jesus
- We’re not interacting with non-believers
Do any of these apply to you?
We Need God’s Help
It’s clear. We’ve messed some stuff up. And there’s no way we can fix it. So let’s ask God for his help. Let’s purpose to let him use us to form the lives of our children and the culture in which they live.
Let’s pray for guidance and strength. Let’s look for opportunities to open our churches, homes, and lives to those around us who don’t know Jesus. Let’s strengthen our resolve to stand firm regardless of the cost.
Let’s purpose to glorify God with our whole lives – all of our passion and strength and mind. He deserves the glory! He’s done GREAT things!
What do you think?
Are you living and sharing your faith?
Are you passing your beliefs and lifestyle to your children?
What can you change to be part of the solution?
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn’t
Probably because I'm reading Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy, but my answer to why is that we've been deceived into accepting the Gospel of “Sin Management” instead of heaven on earth and kingdom of God LIFE. So instead of living and therefore preaching the good news of power/passion/joy/purpose infused life, all we have is a list of don't dos. And that is no good news at all.
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Wow! Thanks Steve. I hadn't thought about the perspective of the “sin management gospel” but that definitely speaks volumes about it. And you're right – that is no good news at all.
Let's hold out for heaven on earth. I love it!
Great thoughts, Steve. People have enough rules to follow.
I agree with you, Bryan, that we are to blame for a lot of this. But it's not enough to tell them, we have to show them – especially young people and young Christians. We need to demonstrate that although doing the right thing isn't always easy, and is often inconvenient, it's better than doing the wrong thing. And we have to let them see the consequences when we mess up.
The teens that I know are hungry to belong. They are hungry for attention. They are hungry for affection. But they aren't going to blindly put their faith in Jesus if we don't live like we have our faith in Him.
The social networking aspect of the article was interesting. I am a proponent of embracing the technology that teens are using, and teaching them how to use it responsibly. If we just let them “figure it out”, we're missing opportunities to love them where they are.
I don't know what all the answers are. I just know we can do better. Be bold in our convictions. Use life as an opportunity to share how God is moving. Be real – they can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray. For them and with them. If they are hurting, confused, scared, excited, happy, sad – whatever – pray with them. Demonstrate praising God for the good and the bad things. Authenticity is key.
Oops – I've gone on too long. Forgive me.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate your perspective.
“Be real – tey can see right through our masks. And pray, and pray, and pray.” I agree with you.