Pastor's Corner: Let us lead the children

Read Proverbs 22:6, Matthew 19:13-15

The two above Scripture passages are about leading and teaching children, youth, and young adults in the ways of God. Many who have any background within Christianity may know of these Scriptures, but very few seek to follow what is said. The consequences have shown with tremendous cost to the direction that is being seen.

There is personal experience of working with youth for about 25 years, both within the Church and outside. On a few occasions it has been received how some youth have turned out years later. The past few years have granted personal opportunity for this to occur with a youth ministry in California. On a personal note, some of the youth who reached out over the years can say that during the time they were part of the youth group there was a personal doubt, a doubt of sadness to be truthful. This was because of so many choices being made during their youth years a concern was directed to how things would turn out in the long run. After many years a blessing was found when some reached out, some of those who were on the mentioned concern above. They reached out because there was something said, an event, or something that caused remembrance of youth group experience leading them to having God in their lives and living a life that had meaning. The direction of their lives makes up many different paths such as book authors, business owners, the regular as we call it adult lives, there is even an actor in Hollywood in the bunch. Each of them represents a special moment in heart, a special moment in prayer, a special moment of hopefulness that God would and has become a huge part of their lives. Some of the statements that have been stated are, “It was something you said in youth group that stuck with me, and eventually caused a light to come on,” or, “If it wasn’t for youth group, I feel I would have never made it to the point I am at today.” A huge statement that hit the heart, “If it was not for you caring as much as you did, I know I would not be alive today.” Maybe you reading this article today were part of a youth group that made an impact on where you are today, what a blessing it can be that you had this opportunity to be part of a youth group.

Why the focus on youth groups? It is with great sadness that many of today’s youth do not have the same opportunity of those in years past. There are many reasons and excuses out there of why youth are not part of youth groups like they used to be. It can be sports, it can be due to myths, it can be due to ignorance. No matter the reason what is being found is the cost is becoming huge. This article is not about the cost, it is about how we can make a turn, a choice, one that follows in line with what Scripture has said all along. Why is it time to make a choice, let us measure some of the statements that are being heard by parents. “My child is always playing video games, what can I do?” “The choices my child is making have come to scare me, what can I do?” Just within these two statements among others is the reason as to why parents need to take leadership back within the households and lead the children the way God wants you to lead them. When it comes to younger parents, it can be said the younger you start with your children, then it is with hope you will never have to repeat statements like the ones above. We end with a truth many have forgotten, children love to be led, they need to be led, and when that lead is not there the path of uncertainty is all that is found. Many of the youth mentioned above did not want to be part of a youth group at the beginning, but most within a short time found answers, found hope, found direction, and eventually had a testimony to give of how youth groups led to life change, let us give the youth today that same experience.

Matt Reisinger is pastor of the Cheboygan Community Wesleyan Church.