Train up a child in the way he should go.
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
—Proverbs 22:6
How are we as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, church family approaching “training up” our children in the current cultural environment? BIG thoughts, for TOUGH times. In this short essay, my hope is that questions are posed in such a way that we as families, and the church, will prayerfully consider the ways in which we live out Proverbs 22:6, while analyzing how we are doing this and where we can draw closer to our LORD and give HIM Glory.
In 1 Peter 1, Peter is speaking to the pilgrims throughout Asia Minor—do you ever feel like a “pilgrim” in the land? I know that I do. Thankfully, so much encouragement is given: Protect Your Mind. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay Sober. Rest our Hope upon His Grace because we will see the Revelation of Jesus Christ! PRAISE GOD for our eternal salvation! Keeping these declarations in mind we are admonished to “Be Holy, for He is Holy.” Our works will be judged. So, the question is, just how do we disciple our children modeling a Biblical worldview? Are we spending enough time with the Lord to be able to do this? It is undeniable that the attacks on our children today are real. In the past we dealt with Darwin and atheism—today those ideas are assumed and now it’s a social construct of multiple genders and transgenders being held as normal. We must talk about this, and other attacks as you see fit, within our families and the church needs to be at the center.
Are you willing to have hard conversations and make the tough decisions? What is the role of the church in helping families today? 2022 has certainly brought a culture forward that is anti-Biblical and satanic! There is no doubt that, with access to the internet, children are exposed to all that the world has to offer. Both good and evil. As a family, hard conversations are necessary to determine whether that new iPhone is really important. Are you praying as a family seeking the Lord’s counsel? Has your family given this enough time and prayer for the heart to make changes and adjustments, maybe even sacrifices? Thanks be to GOD that He gives us His Holy Spirit to counsel and His Word to speak truth.
Wherever you may live, the education of our children is paramount. In our state of New Jersey, our leadership has proven to be anti-Biblical in curriculum that has been put into law. At some point this will affect our children, either now or in the future. We must ponder the question: How do we handle the teaching coming from trusted teachers that is the opposite of God’s Word? One example of this is that during the recent NJEA Convention, there was a workshop held for teachers to understand the relevance of drag queen shows. The days of our children being taught Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are over. SEL—or Social Emotional Learning—has been brought to the front. How this is handled is up to each school district. Praying as a family, being involved at the local level, and knowing exactly when and what is being taught are necessary in today’s environment.
There are many educational choices and options today. Options include the local public schools, pods, homeschools, private schools, even online schools. Praying as a family about these choices and being willing to make the sacrifices that affirm your worldview is so important. Are we talking about it in church? Within the body of believers in your church is there a support system in place where hashing out these choices can be tangibly addressed? Is there a place for this ministry in your church? How can the local church come alongside those families that take a different path for the education of their children? Seventh Day Baptists historically have been known for having schools, academies, and colleges. Education is obviously very important to SDBs! Is it time to revisit this and create parallel schooling for our children?
Do you have a core group of people (Church!) around you that can give support and encouragement? There is no doubt that the cultural attack on our children has ramped up. It is so important that we check in with our children frequently or as needed. (You will know when to back off!) Are you modeling a Biblical worldview in the home? Going to church on Sabbath and dropping the kids at youth group are wonderful things. But in the everyday, are we practicing what we preach? Are we seeking HIS counsel—Every. Single. Day? Have we surrendered our family to HIM??
My prayer is that we, as a body of believers, will use the questions posed as a springboard to truly examine how we are discipling our children in today’s world that is anti-God and pro-satan.
As we seek the best for our children, thankfully, in Philippians 4:8 we are told to meditate on these things: Finally, brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
—Carol Scull
Shiloh Seventh Day Baptist Church
Carol is a Jesus Follower, wife, mother, mommom, retired elementary school teacher who loves sunsets and hanging out with her family.
