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Turning the Ship. Heath Stoner Sunday, 19 Feb 2012. Sometimes people have to see someone love something before they love it. The National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), the most extensive research on the religious lives of U.S. teenagers to date, found….
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Turning the Ship Heath Stoner Sunday, 19 Feb 2012
Sometimes people have to see someone love something before they love it.
The National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), the most extensive research on the religious lives of U.S. teenagers to date, found… Many teens (including conservative Protestants) reject the essential doctrine of salvation by grace: three out of five believe a person can earn a place in heaven if they are generally good, or do enough good things for others.
When asked who or what shapes their attitudes and actions, 78% of teens said it was their parents. The NSYR explained that “many teenagers use the youth group more as a source of social gatherings rather than spiritual growth…Once the teenager graduates and moves beyond the social ‘bubble’ of the youth group, his or her attitude about religion likely will swing back toward the basic values of his elders.”
Sixty-six percent of churched youth spend an average of less than 4½ minutes per day with their fathers, and sixty-two percent spend an average of a little more than 8½ minutes per day with their mothers.
The State of Our Nation’s Youth reported that, if they could have one wish granted, 46% of students would choose to have more time to spend with their families over having more money to buy material things (27%) and living in a bigger house (14%).
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Psalm 78:1-7 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old – what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Psalm 78:1-7 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
So what do we do now? Clearly define what we’re looking for The home must return as the key learning center Dads must take the lead (Eph 6:4) What do we worship? Both home and church must equip in solid doctrine, apologetics and biblical morality
One 26 year-long study found that the most important childhood factor in developing empathy is a father's involvement in the family. Fatherlessness has been shown to be a contributing factor to early sexual activity.
Dads are the spiritual thermostats of the home! (Mal 4:6; Luke 1:17) When Mom becomes a Christian, the rest of her family follows 17% of the time; but when Dad becomes a Christian, the rest of the family also comes to faith 93% of the time!
The Big One: Authenticity Proverbs 29:18 Give them the Vision Let them see the Vision
