Winning our kids to Christ! (Pt.2)

(Part 2 of 2)

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”-Proverbs 22:6

Modeling faith to our kids is important, however, at some point we must move from “this is how its done” (which is modeling), to “this is how you do it” (which is training). Training is the action of teaching a person a particular skill or type of behavior. Once we  have modeled how to live, we must then teach our kids how to do it. That is precisely what God spoke through Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Teach. Talk. Write. All of these represent avenues by which we can train up our kids in the ways of righteousness. Training is designed to be intentional, focused, and goal oriented. It can be structured, however, it can also happen spontaneously; when special moments arise in which we can see the hand of God in action. We must be prepared to proclaim the goodness of God to our kids. Proclaiming the praises of God and declaring His wonderful works is another way we train them:

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”-Psalm 78:4

Perhaps one of the most overlooked ways that we train up a child is through discipline:

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Addressing wrong behavior is every bit as important as teaching them what is right. A lack of correction leaves the child to determine what is right or wrong in their own eyes. Left to themselves, their decisions will lead to shame and heartache. We must then lovingly correct poor behavior and redirect them towards making good, godly choices.

The biggest obstacle that many of our kids will face is the obvious inconsistency they see in us as parents. Training can be hindered by our lack of integrity in modeling what we teach or by our inability to show grace in the growth process:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”-Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”-Colossians 3:21

If you want to discourage your child from pursuing Jesus, nothing does it faster than telling them how to live, yet not living it yourself. I would venture say that even parents who are making the effort to train up their child, focus more heavily on the training than the modeling. Be certain, kids will detect when what you are saying is not lining up with how you are living.

Remember, the goal is to win our kids to Christ, not just bring them to church. Although salvation is a choice that each one of them will have to make on their own, we can certainly position them for a life of faith through good modeling and training.

Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church

Winning our kids to Christ! (Pt.1)

(Part 1 of 2)

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”-Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV)

As believers in Jesus Christ, our responsibility is to wins souls for Christ. As a parent, I believe that our minimum responsibility is to make every effort to win our own kids to Christ. Recently we had a missionary at our church that made a statement that really got me thinking. He said, “The reason that many churches are dying is that they are failing to win their kids to Christ.” In other words, one of the greatest ways to perpetuate the church is to simply win our own kids to the Lord.

The church’s mission, like Jesus, is to seek and save the lost. However, in our efforts to reach our communities and build bigger ministries, many of our own kids are slipping through the cracks; pulled away by a variety of other interests, influences, sports and hobbies.

I hear a lot of parents say, “I want to see my kids back in church.” However, is that really the objective? Are you satisfied with your child being or becoming an avid church goer or is your objective to raise up a disciple? Will you be happy if they are faithful to church, but have no real relationship with Jesus?

We’ve been called to make disciples of all nations, not church attendees. The goal is not to lead our kids to church but to lead them to Christ. Someone who is taught simply to attend church will soon lose interest in attending the moment they discover other activities they find more entertaining, pleasurable, or fulfilling, however, a person who is discipled will biblically understand it’s value and make every effort to gather with fellow believers.

So, although attending church is a natural component of our faith, what have we actually won? Proverbs 11:30 says that we are to win souls. What does that mean? What does a soul that’s been won look like? To win a soul means: to successfully lead someone into their own personal relationship with Jesus and then disciple them to maturity. This is best done through modeling and training.

Leading a child to Christ begins with modeling. It has been said that you cannot lead where you have not been. To model means to serve as a standard or example. As parents we are to model faith to our kids. The Apostle Paul, a spiritual father to the church, said in Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul’s preaching would have been nullified in the hearts of those who heard it, if they had not first seen it displayed in his life.

Before we can ever lead others we must first take heed ourselves the teachings of Christ and the Word of God:

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all they days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”-Deuteronomy 4:9

Modeling always precedes teaching. It is imperative that we make application and live by these principles ourselves. We can’t teach our kids to forgive, if they never see us walk out forgiveness. We can’t teach our kids the importance of giving, if they never see us give. If attending church is optional for you, it will likely become optional for them. If you prioritize things ahead of devotions, worship, and church; so will they.

What areas should you be modeling in?

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.”-1 Timothy 4:12 

You should be leading by example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity. Are you modeling faithfulness in each of these areas? Or are your modeling compromise? The dangerous tendency is to excuse our compromises. When we do, we lay the groundwork for continued compromise in our kid’s lives; meaning they will further build upon the compromises that we’ve allowed.

It’s hard to correct bad behavior by simply telling someone to stop. Good behavior and Godly practices must be modeled before we can expect others to accept any training in righteousness that we may offer.

Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church

The Bible tells me so! (Pt. 4)

(Part 4)

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”-Psalm 119:105

This passage of scripture, probably, sums up how most people perceive the Word of God. It is like a flashlight that you can turn off and on when you need it. A resource or a tool that we can pull out if things get dark and we’ve seemed to lose our way. For most, it is an inanimate object; simple words on a page. A book filled with wisdom that can be deployed on a moments notice; having accountability over their lives when they see fit. However, it is hard for something to hold you accountable, when you are still trying to exercise authority over it. 

The Word of God, however, is not confined to serving at our behest”

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.-Hebrews 4:12 

Hebrews declares that the Word of God is a two-edged sword. It is more like an excavator than it is a flashlight. It digs deep into a person’s soul to expose our inner most thoughts and desires. Because it is living and active, we don’t have the power to turn it off when it suits us. It will convince us of much, and convict us of much more. It is precisely that reason that so many opt to silence it in their lives. 

One commentator wrote: “God’s word is living and active. It is not constrained to the pages of a book and is only loosed when you open it. The book is for your benefit. It is a compilation of the power of God for you to engage, but it does you little good until it is lifted from the page and deposited in your heart and mind”

If we will allow God’s Word to do its work in our lives it can shape our hearts and transform our minds:

 It will be our greatest weapon against sin:

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”-Psalm 119:11 

It is the power of God for our salvation:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”-Romans 1:16 

It will solidify our faith:

 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”-Romans 10:17. 

It will sanctify our lives:  

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”-John 17:17 

It will train us in righteousness: 

 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”-2 Timothy 3:16 

The only way to live a transformed life is to allow God’s word to have absolute authority over your life and allow it to hold you accountable in thought and action.

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church

The Bible tells me so!

(Part 3)

“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.”-Psalm 19:7-11

Over the past couple of weeks we have discussed the authorship and authority of God’s Word, but today I want to focus on the significant role God’s Word plays in holding us accountable.

The word accountable means: to be answerable for one’s own actions or decisions. One of the greatest accountability resources that we’ve been given is the Word of God. However, for the Word of God to hold you accountable, you must see it as an authority in your life. You must recognize it to be the essence of who God is:

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”-John 1:1

The Word of God is the revelation of God (His nature and character), but it is also an expression of God’s will:

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”-Isaiah 55:10-11

Perhaps you are thinking that I am making too much of the Word of God. That it isn’t as important as I am making it seem. Yet in Matthew 13:19 we read how Satan tries to steal it:

“The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.”

And again we read in Matthew 4:6 how Satan tries to pervert it:

“and said “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Satan wouldn’t waste his time on it, if it didn’t have the power to transform your life.

Yet, we continue to take the Word of God too casually, unlike the Israelites who staggered under God’s Word:

“You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”-Hebrews 12:18-21

Author and Pastor Tony Evans one said: “Our problem is that we weren’t there when God first spoke His Word-because if we had been there, we wouldn’t be so casual about it.”

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church

The Bible tells me so! (Pt.2)

(Part 2)

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”-1 Thessalonians 2:13

When we receive God’s Word, as the very word of God, it will affect the way that we live. However, if we choose to be selective regarding what we will receive and respond to, then we will bear the consequences of choosing to step outside the protection and direction of God’s authority.

The motto adopted by the Police Academy is to protect and to serve. Most people recognize police officers as authority figures, however, the Word of God is designed to protect and serve us; yet we reject it’s authoritative reach into our lives.

Here is an interesting concept, if I am driving the speed limit and pass a police officer, the will simply wave and keep on going. When I speed past them, breaking the law, they come after me and reward me with a ticket for my disobedience. We cannot claim ignorance when we have chosen to ignore the directives that have been given us. Real authority has the latitude to bring correction, which means that something or someone is only a real authority is your life if you allow it to correct you. If you have no authority to correct you, you are only subject to yourself.

 Author Ken Ham once said, “When you abandon the absolute authority of God’s Word, anything goes.” This begs the question: What guides your morality in the absence of an  authority in your life?

This is the exact scenario that afflicted the Israelites in the book of Judges:

“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.”-Judges 2:10

Although God was an authoritative figure in Moses and Joshua’s generation, the generation that followed them refused to acknowledge Him. In doing so, they became only subject to themselves:

“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”-Judges 21:25

That is the definition of chaos! Not only did they reject God as their authority, but they had no earthly king either. They simply did as they pleased. They lived according to their own pleasures, wants, and desires.

God’s Word is not simply a compilation of good ideas, but it is the will of God recorded to bring transformation to our lives. One commentator wrote this and I think it is very fitting for us to consider:

“Jesus accepted the absolute authority of the written word over His life. His whole life was shaped by what God caused to be written before He was born.”

God’s Word shaped Jesus’ life! Are you allowing it to shape yours?

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church