All
along we hear questions raised as to what has gone wrong with today's
youth. Recently, a brother expressed his concern along this line and
then asked, "What advice would you give young parents to help them avoid
mistakes that we have made in our generation?"
The
first thing we would say is: All is not bad with today's youth. We see
young people in the New Georgia church voluntarily attending special
classes conducted for their benefit and studying diligently in
preparation for these classes. We see them singing in the worship
periods, listening to sermons, following in their Bible, obeying the
gospel as they reach accountability, and living conscientiously before
God. We see similar interest in young people in other congregations.
But all
is not good. We are aware of drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, drinking,
gambling, and crimes of all sorts among the youth of our day. We are
appalled at the lack of self control exhibited by athletes in both
college and pro ranks. What has gone wrong?
An
article we saw in a Fort Myers newspaper helps to explain what has gone
wrong. The opening paragraph says:
"A Fort Myers high
school football player who was arrested and charged with hitting a
15-year-old in the face with a crowbar has his coach concerned and his
mother worried about his football future."
Worried about what? When parents are more concerned for their children's
football future than they are for their character; when they are more
concerned for their children's financial well-being than for their
eternal well-being; or when they are just not concerned, period, we can
expect problems among our youth. Priorities are all wrong. Too many
parents, in order to feed their own egos, push their children into
positions that will bring honor and popularity, but give little thought
to what will build character and integrity and responsibility within
them.
"And ye
fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord"
(Ephesians 6:4).
What
advice would we give to young parents? Bring your children to every
service of the church; encourage them to form close friendships with
other children who attend regularly; do not try to shield them from
hurts and disappointments, but allow them to work through their
disappointments; hold them responsible for the consequences of
wrong-doings; make sure that your greatest desire for them is that they
go to heaven and that they are aware that this is your greatest desire;
pray with them and teach them how to pray; and love them, love them,
love them some more. That's a good start anyway!
Other Articles by Bill Hall
No Fleshly Incentives
A Godly Man in Wicked Surroundings
Truth's
Consequences
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