It is Time for Another Change

  

I have shared with you about studies from the Barna Group. Gen Z - the generation which includes many of the young adults in our church - are turning away from their faith in double the numbers

of previous generations. These children/teens/ young adults have a basic understanding of the Bible - likely from Sunday school - and yet are turning to Atheism. They are listening to people on-line who are angry and bitter, filled with hate for God, and are receiving a warped and utterly wrong view of God. We - parents, grandparents, churches, publishers - did not realize we needed to teach apologetics to the ones we love and now, while they have a basic understanding of the accounts in the Bible, they do not know why they are able to believe God is real and trust Him with confidence.

Today I am going to share some resources with you which will help you equip the parents/grandparents in your church so they are able to teach the ones they love the truth and equip them to answer the questions which come from those who have turned away from the truth. Please familiarize yourself with these resources - 

The Case for Christianity Answer Book a great book for both newer and seasoned Christians alike. The Q&A format lends itself to helping believers know how to effectively defend their faith. Perfect for those ready to consider Jesus, longtime believers, someone seeking the truth, or even a skeptic. This book is great for anyone looking for a handy reference.  The Case for Christianity Answer Book provides succinct answers to real questions about Christianity. Strobel, a former atheist, uses his investigative journalism skills to dig deep into the Bible to provide compelling and concise answers about Christianity. I HIGHLY recommend this book for all parents/grandparents. 

Josh.org - you will find apologetic questions and answers from someone who was an atheist. Check it out, spend time exploring and use this resource - https://www.josh.org/resources/apologetics/

Reasons.org - you will find solid information about how science and the Bible are not at odds. This resource is filled with tools you will be able to use with the ones you love. - https://reasons.org/about

Evolutionnews.org - again, this site is filled with solid information about science and the Bible - check it out - https://evolutionnews.org/category/science/

Life on the Goldilocks Planet curriculum series - this resource is designed to equip parents/grandparents and help them hand down confident faith with full-color photos and fun facts about animals, quotes from scientists, and activities to engage the entire family.

the little answer book and the little answer book for children - The truth matters and we need to know the truth. This does not mean we have to be theologians, scientists, philosophers, or apologists, but we do need to find answers. We do need to know the “whys”, so we are able to teach them as part of a firm foundation we set for the ones we love, and so we are able to answer their questions if they have already turned from their faith. This is the purpose for these books – to help you find answers, so you are equipped to hand down confident faith as you teach the “whys” and to help you answer important questions. (These books present the Evolutionary Creationist position)

Anchored supplemental curriculum - Churches, parents, and grandparents teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe. They do this for solid reasons, they also need to teach the children they love the "whys" - why we are able to believe what we believe. Anchored is a supplemental curriculum designed to be used alongside whatever curriculum a church is currently using to teach the "whys" and equip parents and grandparents to do the same at home. "Now" is the perfect time to get Anchored and start using it in your Children's Ministry.

There are not many resources available to equip parents/ grandparents, but there are some and these are excellent.

Twenty-five to thirty years ago churches still taught children mostly using their denominational publisher's curriculum. Most churches used a lecture format where children listened to the teacher "teach", and then filled in a worksheet or coloring page. Some of us knew this model had to change so children were engaged in the learning process and happily, Group Publishing came along with their "Hands-On Bible Learning". They completely revolutionized the way curriculum was created for use in church. This was a much-needed moment and has made a difference. We do need to teach children what the Bible says - God has promised His Word will not return void. But, we did not realize we also needed to teach the "whys" - why children are able to believe in God and the Bible and trust Him with confidence. We now know we need apologetics to be part of what children learn in church.

But, church is not enough. Parents/grandparents also must teach apologetics at home. Until publishers start providing resources to help them do this, we must help them find the information and use it with the children they love. The price we may pay for not doing this is far too high - we continue to lose our teens and young adults as they walk away from their faith.

So, equip the parents and grandparents in your church with resources to help them hand down confident faith. Ask publishers to include apologetics in their materials for children and teens. It is absolutely time for another important change in the way we hand down confident faith.