As you look on the church landscape, youth are leaving the faith in droves. The modern church, overall, is struggling to reach the next generation with the gospel. What has happened? Whether for good or bad, men, for many years, have been inventing solutions or brainstorming ideas without fully relying upon the foundation of God’s Word. God, however, is greater than man, and as the heavens are above the earth, so are His ways higher than ours and His thoughts than our thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). We have substituted the greater for the lesser – God’s wisdom for man’s ideas. Jesus said that he who hears His Word and does it, is like a man that built his house upon a rock, and when the storm came, it stood firm. On the other hand, he who rejects His Word, is like a man who built on the sand and when the storm came, the house fell (Matt. 7:24-25). Shouldn’t the church, as a whole, abandon the sandy ideas of man and shamelessly return to the firm rock of the Word of God? God’s Word sufficiently identifies how youth are to be reached.
For more information on this issue, please see the film Divided, which is a documentary on age-segregated youth ministry in America. Watch it for free (for a limited time) at www.dividedthemovie.com.
This message is not new. John and I have been of this train of thought for over 15 years. However, this was pre Internet time. Nowadays ideas like this move quickly, due to widespread Internet usage. Do we agree with everything in the movie? No. Do we agree with all the ideas ad methodology of Family Integrated movements? No way! Does the movie have a bias and a definite point? You bet! However, there is a of of truth and validity to be found here. It asks good questions. It raises some interesting issues. Questions and issues that are worth discussing and searching the Scripture about. If this info-docu sends you to God’s word for answers then I will rejoice in that. The Bible can stand up to it. All I would caution is to diligently study the scriptures rather than studying blog posts on the issues.
I’ll warn you though: this movie, this train of thought has its enemies or those that do not agree. It is quite controversial on the interwebs. Rather than listen to every argument or blog post written on the movie, why don’t you watch it… then search the Scriptures with ears listening for the heart of God.
You might also like to read the following posts:
About Susan
I would like to watch the movie but for some reason I cannot get it to work. I’ve tried a few times.
I have read two other books on this topic .
1. Ken Ham Already Gone (an interview in Practical homeschooling )
2. Becky Fisher Redefining Children’s ministry.
Both come from different angles. Ken Ham says that we have failed to teach children the word of God properly and Becky we have failed to teach children how to listen to the Holy Spirit and made the Christian experience lifeless.
My desire is to ask God what I can do and try to do it with a mix of both. I teach Sunday school and I homeschool.
I agree with you Susan–Go to God and read His Word so that He can mold your opinions.
Smiles
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your thoughts. I haven’t read either book you mentioned although I’d like to one day. I do see Ken Ham’s point, I really do. But here I sit, having taught my children the ways of the Lord and His word yet, as you know, one of those beautiful children is off living a prodigal life. Would you believe that this child still knows the Bible and would still poll highly in any sort of Bible quiz.
But there is something missing… obviously.
Direct revelation from God… through the Holy Spirit. We (those who profess to be born again Christ followers) much have God reveal Himself to us so that our eyes may be opened. For who of us, whilst dead in sin, would seek after God?
So yes, it is both sides to the equation… but ultimately it is God who saves. Praise Him!