May the force be with you.
I was raised in a caring, Christ-centered home and didn’t connect with the Star War craze. Thirty years ago, most people still trusted the church for insight regarding the “force” in their life. Not any more.
Today 71% of adults develop their own set of religious beliefs rather than accept the teachings of a particular church. That is also the response of 82% (yes 82%) of those under age 25 and 61% of born-again adults.
“Faith has become more viral than pedagogical (instructional),” said researcher George Barna. “More people now serve as their own theologian-in-residence.”
Barna’s research is another reminder that the Google era is a far more challenging time to raise children and inspire faith. Neither charisma or control will get us there.
Young people today are looking for soul conversations and authentic relationships. That is what builds the deep trust necessary to confront the false viral influences and connect with today’s independent attitudes.
What fresh approaches are you pursuing as a parent or a ministry. Are you provoking soul conversations and fostering authentic relationships?
From the perspective as a kid, I think I was most drawn to Christ and His followers when I saw adults who were honest about their own struggles…but not in a hopeless way. I was drawn to Christ when I saw how these older people I respected, loved Jesus passionately, and relied on Him in their weaknesses.
I will never forget when my parents shared with me times of intimate fellowship and repentance they had with Jesus. It made me trust Him more and it made me want that too.
I also will never forget the way I was drawn to a certain missionary when I was in high school. I had been around a lot of missionaries growing up in Japan. But none made me desire Jesus as much as this one. And it was because he was so unashamed of Jesus. He absolutely radiated with love for others and a passion for people’s souls that was truly contagious.
I guess I would say that it would seem kids now days want to see that Jesus is really working in our lives…that we desperately need Him, and that He does care about even the details of our lives. They also seem to want to know that He is someone we need not be ashamed of. They want to be a part of something or belong to someone that is worth everything. When they see us embaressed to share or be a witness, I’m sure they question why they would ever want a part of something that is so embaressing to us.
Don’t know if this made much sense…I”m just typing off the top of my head
Rebekah,
You make total sense to me. I agree when you said ” kids now days want to see that Jesus is really working in our lives”. Your right, they want to see it. They want to see Jesus doing something through the people that they know. They dont want any theories or theology, they want to see the real deal in people.
Let’s go back to Acts, and how they were bold in the name of Jesus. When the kids see us strink back I believe they think “why would you be embaressed by someone that you say you love”. That opens up the door for them to start developing their own theories and religious beliefs.
Consistant demonstration of God’s love for us is key to reaching the minds of people young and older. When people are shown that God really is their answer and solution to their issues, they will listen and want to know the God that we serve.
I try to provoke those soul conversations and point out how the solution to whatever the issue I had was provided by God. Who ever can genuinely show that they found the answer to lifes issues, will win the hearts of people. The world is trying to show they have the answer, we know God is it but its up to us to demonstrate it.
Peace
I am my own Yoda says you?
I feel like our world treats our Lord like “the force.”
God becomes this powerful and mysterious force that if we can obtain some sort of enlightenment through spiritual-like activities we can somehow manipulate Him to be at our bidding.
We are still like Eve, trying to be God.
bek,
Please keep typing off the top of your head. I always walk away a better person as the result of your expressions.
I deeply connected with your thought,
“We want to be a part of something or belong to someone that is worth everything.”
My post this morning regarding King David touches on that very subject.
Thanks for pushing my thoughts a bit deeper and challenging me to be a bit more vulnerable with God. It allows me to connect with Him more intimatly.
And that is always a good thing.
Ed
Tyrone,
Thanks for reminding us if the importance of love, boldness, honesty, and pointing people back to Chrsit.
And I’m with you that words alone just don’t get it. It takes that broken spirit and contrite heart you mentioned.
But soul conversations and authentic relationships take real courage and grace. At times the reponse can be rejection. We need to encourage each other to keep going even so.
Ed
Aaron,
I guess it comes back to the scripture that to find our life we must be willing to lose it. It isn’t something we can manipulate as you pointed out so well. But leaping off the cliff and srrendering our life takes faith…right?
And how will they learn to trust and build faith without a teacher? And who are the teachers?
The arrows seem to always point home. There is work to do.
Thanks for your thoughts and provocation. I appreciate your efforts.
Ed
Ed:
I am learning that the key to true soul conversations is not just sharing our experience and being real, but knowing the Word of God. What does God say?
Can you know God when you spend two hours a week with his ordained messenger in a church service. We are so forgetful and need to grow–two hours a week is just not enough. I am challenging myself to read and read some more. For to be like Christ, we must have a realistic view.
You’re right on Tyrone–”Feed on the Word” is what you are always encouraging me to do.
Thanks for sharing with us.
To God be the Glory.
Kristin,
It seems there are always so many emails to chase and others demands to address that quiet time can get shoved to the back of the line.
I needed your challenge this morning.
Thanks,
Ed