We are all aware that the majority of people in our world today do not hold a biblical worldview. In fact, George Barna discovered from his research that "only five percent of Americans hold to a biblical worldview." That's pretty frightening, isn't it?Barna also discovered only 35 percent of Americans believe in absolute standards of morality -- that is, believe that right and wrong do not change with time or circumstances. No wonder we have children in our clubs who are skeptical about the Bible and about our God!
Postmodern philosophy teaches children that there are no absolutes, truth depends on the circumstances and there is no one right way to believe. It teaches them that they should be "tolerant" of all belief systems and that all are equally valid.
If you've been reading the messages in the Shoutbox in the sidebar on the right, you probably saw the timely question from IOT Deb Gephardt. She asks:
I'd like to hear how some of you may have dealt with/taught others to deal with children who do not accept the Bible as truth and perhaps do not accept that God exists. What are some ideas to begin helping these children as we share the Gospel?
So, what are your thoughts about this? What are you doing in your clubs to help children understand that God is real and the Bible is Truth? Probably many of your TCE students have the same struggle with children in their clubs.
Click the comment link below this post and share your ideas with us. Let's help each other think creatively about how to bring today's children to the Truth!
5 comments:
When teaching your children in Good News Club that the Bible is true and there are absolutes, I think the best way is consistently, week by week, teach God's Word, apply to their lives, give examples from your own life how God's Word has impacted you, and pray diligently that the truth will take root in their hearts. We then need to teach them what the Bible says, and how to share that truth with others once they have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Consistentcy and by example will be one way to counteract this "everything is okay if you think it is okay" philosophy. You cannot overcome the darkness unless you turn on the light! We need to let our light shine for the truth and not be intimidated by the world's lies.
I think that the best way to overcome this particular challenge is to BE Jesus to them--get to know them on a personal level and learn about their struggles, and help them through those struggles. When the teaching of the Word is combined with meeting felt needs, many kids find that the Bible applies to them more than they thought.
This skeptical attitude is so prevalent in some of my clubs these days . . . and I can't imagine it will get better with time. God the Holy Spirit is able to open the children's eyes to the truth, but we must be faithful in doing our part.
First, I let the kids know I appreciate their honesty and their questions. I'll take honest skepticism over parroted responses with the "right" answers any day.
Second, I try to avoid just giving "pat" answers. It's easy to say that we know it's true because the Bible says so and that's good enough for me and it better be good enough for you, too! For kids who have real questions that seems like a non-answer. While there isn't always time to address all the challenging questions during club time, making a point to chat with the child who has questions before or after club helps communicate my interest in him/her and my desire to help the child find satisfying answers.
Providing some basic preemptive apologetic teaching may also help. When I discovered some kids in one of my GNC's were struggling with accepting the Bible as truth, I chose to set aside our regular in-cycle lessons for a few weeks while we studied the CEF series "God Speaks to Me." Though the lesson series may be discontinued, there's some good stuff in there! This seemed to help some of the kids. I'm looking forward to using the "Why I Believe!" lesson from the May/June Teach Kids! magazine with my clubs this year. This extra teaching, along with regular reinforcement of God's Word as truth in each club meeting helped at least some of the children with questions.
Accepting propositional truth is difficult for kids whose worldview is shaped by a culture that rejects absolutes. What the other posters shared about demonstrating the reality of God's existence and the truth of His Word through living a consistent life before the children is so true!
Our integrity, solid teaching about why the Bible is a reliable historical document and an attitude that welcomes questions are good starting points for reaching the kids of this generation.
Twyla Burger
North Jersey Chapter, NJ
Each week at club we not only 'do' the pledges, but we have added an explanation (almost IPEAR). Reaffirming that our country was founded on God (the law of our land based on the 10 commandments) and how our forefathers (the pilgrims) came to this great country so they could worship God the way they chose to. ANd then we add 'that's why we can come to GNC, read our Bible when we want', etc. Then, with the Bible pledge, we emphasis it is "GOD'S WORD" , He's the author as He told men what to write. He's the creator..... so we show respect to His Word. It is GOD talking to you and me... (I esp. like to use a Bible that has "HOLY" written on the front) to show and explain 'Holy means He is perfect, so He cannot lie. You can trust EVERYthing in His Word to be true.' etc. We may not tell ALL this in one week, but add a bit more each week until the children know it well enough that we can begin to ask THEM 'why do we do the pledge to the Bible/Flag'. It is my prayer that by doing this, we will plant seeds in the hearts of those who have not yet been 'indoctrinated' with such false teachings as 'no absolutes, etc.
Jill Lake
Indian Lakes Chapter Oskaloosa, Ia
Thanks to all of you who entered this conversation. You've all shared some great insights and ideas. Hope this has helped you, Deb!
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