Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Wednesday, 12 May 2021 07:28

Role Models For Our Children
by Terry Broome

It’s tough being a young person today where every sector of life appears to by vying for your loyalty. The world is fully dedicated to affecting the choices of our youth – so many temptations; such early exposure to very graphic parts of life!
As a parent it’s more than a little frightening to see the parade of influences by individuals who would like to become your child’s role model — their heroes. It makes our job all the more urgent and difficult as we attempt to be role models ourselves and model “Good Behavior” before them.
Friends, we are involved in a war today, and the battleground is not just in Europe or Asia. The battleground is in our homes, and what’s at stake is not only our land, our property, our freedoms. It’s more important than that. What’s at stake are our children. And believe me—It is a war! It’s an important war, and in this country, it appears we may be losing the battle. Too many of our children are turning from the faith. As soon as they leave home and go to college too many of them also leave the church.

Romans 1:28-32 closely parallels what is going on today in America. Let’s look at the passage. “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

Do you realize we live in a culture that approves of turning its back on God? From congress, the high courts – to tv shows – news commentators and some popular movies – it appears to be acceptable to make fun of religion because it’s not important. “It worked for Mom and Dad, but it’s not for me.” Our children are being taught that our values which we believe come from God’s word are not relevant to their lives and the times in which they live.
The things which have the most influence on their lives often are: Lyrics and Music as well as Music Videos; Internet and Chat Rooms; Peers and Peer Pressure; Movies; Teen Magazines; Fashion Trends; and the list goes on. It’s a rare day when you meet young people who will tell you that God, the Bible, their Sunday class teacher are the most powerful influences in their lives. Out of respect some might include Mom and Dad in the list.

Well, can I tell you this, Moms and Dads, you are at the front lines. This is a war, and we are called to be a part of it. We must begin Modeling, first of all with our words, with our lives, and with the use of our time, the kind of values and behavior that we hope our children will adopt. They must see consistency between words spoken and lives lived. They must see the “joy of the Lord” manifested in the home. According to Deuteronomy 6: 6-7, God saw the importance of an open line of communication between parents and children.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (KJV) “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

We need to talk to our children. Be involved in their lives. Tell them about God, and tell them about the Bible. What has God done for you? You need to share it with your children. Our marching orders are to tackle this important task of saving the children.
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.