The Great Commission Starts at Home

“Then he said, ‘When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, ‘Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.'” Luke 24:44–48

Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem shortly after his death, burial, and resurrection. He gave them specific instructions on reaching people all over the world while preaching salvation and forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus. The disciples listened and obeyed. Because of their obedience to the point of their physical deaths, the Gospel Message is available to each of us. The family of disciples sacrificed everything so the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness could be made available to those in our families today.

And what exactly are we doing with this life-saving biblical information so readily available to us? Are we teaching our children about the Resurrection of Jesus and why He died on the cross? Are we talking about Jesus with our children? From a polling standpoint, would Jesus be one of the top ten words spoken in your household? Is our time, wealth, and attention, more invested in our children’s extracurricular activities than teaching them about Jesus?

During a recent interview with Lee Ann Mancini discussing her new book “Raising Kids to Follow Christ,” she shared some startling statistics with me. She shared George Barna’s research on children thirteen to fourteen years old:

• 70 percent either reject the existence of Satan or don’t know if he exists.
• 90 percent believe there are no absolute moral truths.
• 84 percent do not believe we are born into sin and need salvation.
• Less than 1 percent of early teens have a biblical worldview.

As for their parents:

• 68 percent think of themselves as Christians, but only 2 percent have a true biblical worldview.
• Only 25 percent of parents believe absolute moral truths exist.

If this information is not alarming to parents, let’s dig deeper into the research. What does the research say about children’s pastors:

• 56 percent believe there is no absolute moral truth.
• 53 percent accept reincarnation as a real possibility for them.
• 50 percent believe that Jesus sinned while He was on earth.
• 43 percent do not believe that people are born into sin and need Jesus Christ to overcome the effects of sin.

Also, 18 to 34-year-olds say they don’t believe the biblical accounts of Jesus bodily resurrection. And why is this? This makes me sad to think there is an entire generation experiencing a culturally watered-down version of the Savior.

Instead of placing a bible in their hands, or reading them a bible story when they are young, we are giving them our cell phones. Is it to pacify them while we do our thing? Look where that has gotten us. Tell me one thing more important than taking the time to teach our children about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

This Christian life is no game, it’s the real deal. Biblical Parenting is hard, really hard, ask any Christian parent. It takes our time and undivided attention to raise our kids to follow Christ. Besides junk food fattening up our kids, we have a junk culture setting up students for spiritual slaughter! We do realize that there are plenty of folks who profess to be Christians prowling around as wolves in sheep’s clothing ready to devour our children. Look at the staggering statistics on this. Shouldn’t the spiritual training of our children be the highest priority for our children?

This column is not meant to criticize Christian parents, caregivers, or their grandparents. It is also not meant to criticize pastors or children’s pastors, but it is to enlighten and bring awareness that many families are not talking about Jesus, let alone, the importance of the Resurrection and why Jesus died on the cross for us.

Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, and Stalin said, “Give me a child until the age of seven, and they will be mine the rest of their lives.” This quote is telling, don’t you think?

The Great Commission must start first and foremost in every Christian home. How in the world will the gospel message travel to the ends of the earth? Who will go the distance?

Many parents read to their unborn babies during the pregnancy and speak to them lovingly knowing this will help develop a bond between them and their baby. Babies in the womb can hear the voices of their parents at around 18 weeks. Why not read some amazing scriptures, play Christian melodies, and speak the name of Jesus to this precious child? Whether good or bad, a parent is the most influential person in a child’s life!

The Word of God gives parents clear instructions and guidance on how to raise a child. Deuteronomy 11:13-21 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.”

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6

Lord, let me be laser-focused on YOU!