Wednesday, 21 October 2009
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Bootcamp
Almost every kid plays “war” when he’s young; it’s innate and as Children grow up they continue to eagerly pursue the “grown up world”. They want to be seen and respected as adults almost before they even learn to tie their own shoes. If you’ve ever played little league basketball, or coached it, or watched it, you know that most kids (even into Jr. High and Sr. High) do not like drills, they want to “scrimmage” and “play the game”. It’s definitely not fun standing in one spot shooting 100 free-throws before you’re allowed to do anything else. But once the game is on the line, and you’ve been fouled, you’ll be glad you did when you sink 2 in the basket and go home the winners!
It should not come to you as a shock that every human being (whether religious or non-religious, aware or unaware) is in a form of Spiritual war-fare.
Our battlefronts, or “game times” come to us in a variety of different forms ranging from late at night, alone, in front of your computer screen, to a mission trip into Trinidad and Tobago or China. You can see a homeless man on the side of the street and immediately, the whistle has blown, and the game is on.
Sometimes things can get so hectic and chaotic out on the basketball court that your just dribbling as fast as you can, towards the goal, hoping you can penetrate the defense and make a basket. Spiritually, we’re in the same boat. Satan puts so many “defenders” up between us and the basket that we feel like we’re driving towards the goal with no success…. maybe even losing the ball most of the time!
In fact, this brings me to my main point; without going through boot-camp, you’re bound to lose the ball. Satan’s got the #2 defense in the league, and if you’re not the #1 offense, it’s game over!
Consider our youth-groups. How many of these youth-groups have at least 1 mission trip a year? How many add to that mission trip 1 or 2+ service projects each year? I’m pretty certain every youth group has at least 1 summer camp, and most have 2 or 3 other camps in addition to that.
In almost every youth-groups case that I have ever heard of, each of these events are “game-time” or “battlefronts”. Yes, even the camps; as a youth, I faced some of my greatest temptations at youth group camp. Girls and guys get to “hook up”. Peer pressure to really cream that kid on the basketball court to make yourself look good (probably for a girl). Gossip, slander, envy, lying, cheating…. all these things will, unavoidably, be present at any decent sized and diverse youth group event.
Add to that the fact that the popular curve in the youth group method is away from Bible teaching and towards entertainment, testimonies, and singing, and Sunday school is no different.
Is it any wonder, then, that our kids are driving on a top-ranked defense and losing the ball? We’re seeing a lot of “star players” get injured or discouraged and turning to “other pursuits”.
None of our kids have gone through “boot-camp” and they’re getting pummeled.
I’m speaking from experience. My youth group, growing up, was about 200 registered, and 150+ active.
We had a lot of “all-stars”; kids expected to grow up into great spiritual men and women. They were expected to become “tomorrow’s leaders”. I can look at my youth group, and my Christian High School graduating class, and count on 1 hand those who are reverent towards Christ. Those who are trained and ready to lead the Church in the direction it needs to go.
Before I receive e-mails and comments reprimanding me for “judging”, I encourage you to remember the numerous times that we can all recall complaining, or at least partaking in, complaints about the “pitiful state of the Church”. I think that if we were to then, after remembering these complaints, listen to Paul’s words where when he spoke saying:
“11But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES”. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
I am of the persuasion that these “complaints” exist because we do not judge our brothers in the Church.
So, what has happened to all our young “all-stars”? Why is there no reverence in the Church? Why are we experiencing, first hand, the destruction that God spoke of when he said “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge”?
It is my opinion, based off of observation, prayer, and study, that we are being destroyed from the inside out. The entertainment switch in our youth groups has become a burden to the Church that is collapsing it.
So… what must we do?
We must begin, once again, to train our Children. Parents must, therefore, take it upon themselves to put additional “training time” in—no matter how good your pastor is, one 30 or 40 minute sermon (20 minutes at most places) a week will not catch you up to speed!
Youth ministers, if you are reading this, regardless of what will happen to your “number count”, you need to train the kids in righteousness; in the way that they must walk. Equip them to face the trials that are sooo heavy upon them daily.
I’ve noticed some things that are missing; basic things that may seem irrelevant at first, but should be things that any child could do—
· Can they say the books from Genesis to Revelation.
· Are they able to tell you the basic idea and purpose of each book?
· If you were to ask them to recommend a book in the Bible that deals with any given topic, can they make at least one good recommendation?
Some of the more advanced things that are also lacking:
· Could they outline for you (from the Bible) what the Church is?
o Why we meet.
o The role of Elders, Deacons, Evangelists, etc.
· Are they receiving and learning training in regards to reverence (one of the most fundamentally lacking principals yet)
· What about repentance? Do they think of it as a one-time deal, or a lifestyle?
· Can they tell you about the Holy Spirit?
· Can they tell you about Prayer?
· Would they include Paul’s teaching about Salvation coming to us through a Promise if you asked them to explain salvation to you?
So, why am I so concerned with all this? I mean, as long as the kids know how to recite “Jesus, born of virgin Mary….. (etc)” and get people to say “the sinners prayer”, isn’t that enough? No! It’s not!
Because I love them too much to send them into the battlefield with a butter knife and have them watch their friends fall to Satan’s attacks… and possibly see them fall as well.
I know my audience on here is limited, but I hope someone listening will take these words to heart. It breaks my heart seeing kids separated from God because their foundations were weak or non-existent. My friends, my buddies in high school that are now graduating college and masters programs are falling away. I have friends content to read 1 verse a day (maybe), and I have friends who spend so much more time with movies, with other friends, and consumed by their own life that they have completely rejected Christ—not in word, but in reality.
It is time, I think, to start fighting back. Because you love the Church and the Church body, Judge it so that you might know whom to save (not that you save souls, but that you might know how to strive after and point back to the solid foundation of Christ Jesus, our Savior). No one can contest my love for the Church unless I selfishly refuse to judge and defend it from false teachers and teachings. Lets return to instructions regarding sound doctrine, and perhaps most importantly, teaching them how to petition God in prayer and learn Gods word through the Holy Spirit has been lacking for far too long.
Keep laboring.
Keep defending.
Protect the Church with Love, Compassion, and Boldness!
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Comments (5)
Whew! Thank you!
There are many who claim to seek truth, but few who actually strive toward truth. I don't recall any hard Gospel truths from growing up in church. After I was lead to Wisconsin, to a small "Bible Chruch" I found Christ. The pastor is "guilty" of teaching truth and sound foundational truths, and doctrine according to the word of God, not some supreme "church" doctrine written by men. the seed planted took root and is growing in christ daily - Praise the Lord.
I can say that the teaching, revelations, and prophesies given in this assembly are of God and those who do not recieve cannot be of God. I can say this because my spirit agrees with the Holy Spirit, through whom these blessings are given.
By a member, when I was new, I was told what the "true Christian" should do and shouldn't do; I was told what we should not eat, drink, watch, listen to, etcetera, etcetera. I found out later that this practice actually frowned upon because it tends to scare most new Christians or turn them to a legalistic attitude. This teaching is to be left to the pastor, who will back up whatever she says with the word of God that we all can review at the end of the "lesson". I thank God that I was neither frightened nor took a legalistic attitude, but truly had a heart for Christ and sought His truth in His word; this, I believe, only because of His Holy Spirit working within me. I asked Him in prayer, and He would reveal the answer in His written word. He would also answer my questions through our pastor in sermons that were always "right on time".
Bootcamp is what we need. I "suffered" through Marine Corps Boot camp many moons ago, and they do as we should do with our "newbies", and that is to strip away all of the error filled hogwash that we have been taught by weak preachers, parents, teachers, friends, books, movies, or our own misconcieved ideas about God, Christ and the Kingdom of God, and our place in all of it. The Drill Insrtuctors trim the fat, and build up the muscle, which is what the Holy Spirit will do IF we let Him. The trials and tribulations that we go through, IF we go into them with the right "heart condition" will trim the fat out of our lives and build us up in faith in Christ. For all that I "suffered" in Boot Camp, nothing was lost on the battlefield; in fact my life and the lives of other Marines in my charge were most likely saved because of the "training" I recieved in Boot Camp. At my weakest, I knew what my lowest point was; at my strongest, I knew what my strengths were. I learned my strengths and weaknesses. In Christ, I learned my strengths and weaknesses, and in all I found out that I needed Christ to see me through, else I be overcome by that which seeks to destroy us all.
For some wierd reason, many Christians seem to think that once they recieve Christ that everything is going to be honky dorie, and so when the trials come, they fall away. Our ministers are not helping anyone but the devil when they water down the truth of the Gospel. There is but one way, and that way is the God way. His kingdom, His rules; don't like the rules, the door is over there - no hard feelings, it's just God business.
Thank you for this post, it has truly blessed me.
May the Lord or God continue to use you to reach out to His children, planting seeds of truth for the Holy Spirit to water, that they might take root and grow in Christ, to the fulness of His glory. May He bless you with all the gifts of the Kingdom of God, and all that you need and/or desire in accordance with His will for you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
David,
I just quickly glanced at this, and hope to get back to it, but my question is: how many of the adults in most congregations can do the things you have outlined? How many churches themselves (not just the youth groups) revolve around entertaining their members?We can't expect to be mature if we aren't rooted in doctrine (Eph. 4:9-16).
And let's never forget, the knowledge God requires goes far beyond head knowledge to heart knowledge, to an intimacy, a communion with Him. How many people in our churches (not just the youth) truly KNOW the Lord, not just know about Him or are able to recite facts, creeds, etc.? For with the heart one believes Rom. 10:10.
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3.
I would argue that your message should be addressed to all pastors, not just youth pastors. The problem is much more wide-spread.
He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit has to say to the Churches.
May He have mercy on us and send His Spirit to revive us again,
Karen
@naphtali_deer@xanga - It is so sad that most adults cannot outline these things... or even half of them; perhaps it is a testimony to what is valuable in their life. When someone can name every statistic in the NFL and then turns around and says "i'm too busy to learn this stuff", it is saddening. That's why I encouraged the adults to put in the time needed to learn so that they can then pass on sound doctrine.
There is something to be said, as you pointed out, for the fact that all the "head knowledge" in the world will not do you any good if not accompanied by the Holy Spirit.
Its my belief that we need to follow the developing principles found in the scriptures. They often laid the ground work of knowledge first. Children (and adults) need to learn some of the fundamental basics of Scripture. But, as you mature, you go on to some of the later things I mentioned; learning to pray in the Holy Spirit, being taught by the Spirit, and living a life of repentance.
I think it is something we can add to our prayers and practices, for sure. We need to focus on teaching fundamentals.
I pray the Lord blesses you as you Labor in his fields of harvest.
@mpwarren@xanga - I praise the Lord that he has blessed you in these words! I hope they have encouraged you and emboldened you to compassionately and accurately equip our youth, and as Karen pointed out, also the adults, with firm and accurate knowledge of our Lords Word.
How can we teach people to "Count the Costs" of becoming a Christian if we are not up-front and honest with them?
You mentioned movies that are not allowed-- while I know many people would frown upon a Church banning movies, and perhaps I wouldn't make an official "baned movies document", the Church needs to start standing up and saying "this movie is evil". Instead, we're handing our Children over every friday night (often times paying them to go see the movies) so that they can learn the ways of the world as opposed to learning the ways of Christ.
May the Lord bless you as you speak his words.
@deepestrecesses - Thank you, and in the name of Jesus I bless you and your ministry.
You are so right in asking "How can we teach people to "Count the Costs" of becoming a Christian if we are not up-front and honest with them?" I never knew what it really takes to take His name, nor what it meant to walk in the spirit; I never knew the sacrafice that was expected of me because I never really understood the sacrafice that He made for me. I never really knew Him.
Four years ago, if someone had asked me if I knew Jesus I would have replied, "of course I do, I have attended church all my life and even went to sunday school." But, knowing what I know now tells me that I didn't know anything about God the Father, or the man Jesus, or the Christ Jesus, or what He willingly endured for me; I didn't know that I was chosen from before the foundations of the earth, or that God knew everything that I would do or say agaist Him, and chose me anyway. I didn't know!
My heart burns with a most powerful desire to please the Lord my God, and be a vital, funtional part of His body. It grieves me to no end when I meet or even hear of someone who claims to have walked with Him, but has fallen away. I cannot understand the reason why, or how. It bothers me not, to hear a nonbeliever critisize God or Christ, but to hear one who claims His name do so feels like a stab in the back. For this reason I am here; to reach out to those who claim His name, but are in error as to who He really is, or how to please him.
I write as God has given me to write, but to verbalize my thoughts is a chore. This is Gods gift to me, as I see it; to write first, and then perhaps to verbalize from print. But then again, I do know that through the power of the Holy Spirit, anything is possible - in faith.
Our pastor has given lessons on what is pleasing and not pleasing to God, and why; what is good or not so good for our mind, heart and spirit, and why.
The Lord has revealed to me the comparison of sacraficing our children to the gods of the world in ancient times and sacraficing our children to the gods of the world in modern times; this alone causes my skin to crawl, knowing what we allow our children to participate in that is in direct disobedience with God's Law, AND even condoning it or actually participating in it along with them. God have mercy on us.
He showed me that it's more a matter of how much we love Him and what He has created, than what we percieve the law to allow. I make enemies among Christians here but God's word is truth, and in the end His word will judge us all. God is the same yesterday, today and forever; the Word (Law) of God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus did not cahnge Gods Law, He expounded upon it that we might be pleasing to the Father, and be redeemed unto Him.
Perfection is perfection; Gods Law is perfect, Jesus was perfect. Neither of which deviates from Gods law in any way, shape or form. If either should deviate, our hope would be null and void, and those opposed to God and Christ would be right. The battle would have been fought for nought.
He's coming soon, and is calling his chosen out of confusion (Babylon). Only those who overcome will be saved, and confusion will not overcome. there can be no doubt, becasue the enemy will pick at that doubt until he makes it a gapping hole in which to penetrate our defences, corrupt our entire belief "network" and destroy us.
The devil is a military genious, and he does not mind waiting if waiting is what it will take to steal Gods glory. Christ Jesus brings God the glory, as we, the believers bring Christ Jesus the glory. If the devil stops us from glorifying Christ Jesus, then Christ Jesus cannot glorify the Father.
When our body is injured the brain sends white blood cells to the injury to confine and purge out the infection so it doesn't corrupt the entire body and cause unrepairable damage or death. When the body of Christ is injured (corrupted) the brain (Jesus) sends white blood cells (the saints, us) to the injury to confine the infection (sin, error, corruption), repair or purge it out (repentance, or cast out) so that the infection does not contaminate the whole body and death would be the result.
May Peace and wisdom fill your house. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen