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! 29