The RenewaNation Review 2015 Volume 7 Issue 2 | Page 29
have already opted to put their kids in Christian
schools, weekly church programs, and homeschools,
few appear to be doing a very good job filling in the
gaps. More is needed.
Teaching young people how God’s Word—rather
than the atheistic worldview—makes sense of our
world requires intense study, commitment, and
fervent prayer on our parts. The church and parents
must reevaluate their old assumptions about the way
we should be teaching our kids in a hostile culture,
and work together to build the next generation by
following the directives from God’s Word.
Imagine what would happen if God’s people
raised up generations of kids who knew what they
believed concerning the Christian faith, why they
believe, and how to defend that faith against the
secular attacks of the day. They could then proclaim
the gospel with authority because they believed the
authority upon which it stands. We would change
the world!
This article originally appeared in the 01/2013 issue of An-
swers® magazine. Copyright © 2013 Answers in Genesis.
All Rights Reserved. The article is reprinted here by permis-
sion of Answers in Genesis. (Answers® and Answers in Gen-
esis® are registered trademarks of Answers in Genesis, Inc.)
For more information regarding Answers in Genesis, go to
AnswersinGenesis.org and CreationMuseum.org.
Ken Ham is a former public school science teacher and
the founder and president of Answers in Genesis. He
has edited and authored many books about the authority
of God’s Word and the impact of evolutionary thinking
on our culture, including the best seller, Already Gone.
Read his blog at answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham.
FOOTNOTES
1. Adolf Hitler, as quoted in Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, vol. 1
(Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1946),
p. 320. Available online at http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/
pdf/NT_Nazi_Vol-I.pdf
2. “Two-thirds of teenagers don’t believe in God,” Telegraph, June 22,
2009.
3. George Barna, Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth
Culture (Ventura, California: Regal Books, 2001), p. 136.
4. Joseph Stalin, interview with H. G. Wells, “Marxism Versus Liberal-
ism,” July 23, 1934, Marxists Internet Archive, http://www.marxists.
org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1934/07/23.htm
5. Dan Merica, “Survey: One in Five Americans Has No Religion,”
CNN Belief Blog, http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/09/survey-
one-in-five-americans-is-religiously-unaffiliated/comment-page-3
6. Eugenie Scott retired as executive director of the NCSE in January
2014 and was succeeded by Ann Reid.
7. Steven Newton, “Creationism, Mr. Nye, and Dr. Pepper,” Huffington
Post Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-newton/creationism-
mr-nye-and-dr-pepper_b_1934407.html
CONNECTING ANSWERS TO THE GOSPEL
America has long resisted the trend among Western
nations to slide into secularism and unbelief, but that is
changing. A 2012 survey found that the fastest-growing
“religious” group in America has no religion at all. One in
five Americans claim no affiliation with religion, and this
category is even higher among young adults (one in three).
This downward spiral has impacted churches and Christian
homes, as well. Two-thirds of children will leave the church
after they leave home. So what’s missing in their lives? And
what can we do to stop the exodus?
ANSWERS
“Faith in Christ” isn’t blind. True faith must be built upon
a knowledge of the truth, as revealed in God’s Word (2
Timothy 3:15–17). To be saved and walk with God, every
believer first must know what he should believe and why.
That’s our job ... telling young people answers from the
Bible. We’ve got to address the hard questions that are
uppermost in their minds, including the origin of sin and
death in this world.
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
The next link in the chain, once young people learn the
truth, is for them to submit to the authority of God’s Word
(John 14:21; James 1:22). They need to understand why we
know the Bible is true: the authority of the One who gave it
to us (Hebrews 4:12). They also need to see that, once they
accept the Bible’s authority, it will make sense of the world
around them.
THE GOSPEL
Most Christians realize they need to proclaim the gospel
if they want to see anyone saved (Romans 10:14). The
definition of the gospel by which we are saved is quite
clear: Christ died, was buried, and rose again “according to
the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). But the power of the
gospel rests on the authority of God’s Word (Romans 1:16).
SALVATION
A young person’s salvation is ultimately a work of God’s
grace. Yet that does not excuse us from responsibility. We
have the duty to plant and water the truth (1 Corinthians
3:6–7) and pray to God in faith. But God is the one who
“gives the increase” and we should give Him the glory. God
has designed this plan for conveying His grace, and we
need to make sure we’re doing our part. We are the ones
appointed to instruct children with clear answers, to show
them the Bible’s ultimate authority, and to share the gra-
cious promises of the gospel!
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