Philosophically , for the past few generations , the church has operated as if it was primary , not supplementary , done little to equip parents , and ignored grandparents and Christian education . George Barna writes , “ Many of the church leaders talk about the importance of the family , but in practice , they have written off the family as an agency of spiritual influence . Their assumption is that if the family is going to be influenced , it is the organized church that will do the influencing , primarily through its events — worship services , classes , special events , etc . This philosophy causes the impetus behind youth ( and children ’ s ) ministry to be fixing what is broken — that is , to substitute the efforts of the church for those of parents since most of the latter do not provide the spiritual direction and accountability that their children need . But there is a procedural problem here : kids take their cues from their family , not from their youth ministers . God ’ s plan was for the church to support the family , and for the family to be the front line of ministry within the home .” 7
Churches have said to families , “ Bring your children to us . Let us teach them about Christ , and we will include you in the process . Help us develop Sunday school , small groups , retreats , and vacation bible school . The message we are communicating to families is that the church should be the focal point for nurturing faith in their children .” 8
Parents are relying on this pattern for the spiritual training of their children , and the results are not good . If we continue with this approach , we will continue to lose a high number of our children to the world . A change is needed .
THE BIBLICAL MODEL FOR FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP
God created two great commission institutions for the evangelism and discipleship of children : home and church . The family is given the God-ordained role of evangelism and discipleship of future generations , and the church is instructed to equip the family for the ministry of parenting and grandparenting . Psalm 78:7-8 summarizes our aim with the next generation : “ so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God , but keep his commandments ; and they should not be like their fathers , a stubborn and rebellious generation .”
RENEWANATION . ORG 31