The Next Generation: What can we do now?
Each day we see more violence on the news, less money being
allocated to our education system and more kids becoming
addicted to video games, T.V and food. Sometimes we hear
comments such as "if only we could go back to the good old
days". But the truth is we cannot. We are stuck here and we must
deal with the situation at hand. However there are things we as
parents or educators can do to change the future generations of
children.
Kids today spend hours being entertained by electronics.
Sometimes because parents have lost control; other times because
parents don't have the time or energy to enforce limits. I've
been there and know how difficult it can be to tell a child 'no'
to electronic entertainment. However in order to give them hope
for the future we can and must set limits. But what do we do
with all that 'free time' they will have on their hands? Start
teaching them about the power that exists in this world and who
is in control. They may roll their eyes at first, but when they
start learning the rules of the game in "God's economy" they
will soon be captivated and gain an appetite for more
information.
For example, my son who is in kindergarten, likes spiderman,
batman and cartoons. I do not tell him he cannot view these or
own these toys. But do I take every opportunity that I am
afforded to talk to him about the people in biblical times who
began worshipping the false Gods and excluding the God of
Abraham from their life as well as the results of their actions.
I am not preachy nor do I turn everything into a mini-sermon but
I do want to draw comparisons on today's lifestyles to
yesterday's parables. We own such a great children's bible(in
that it brings stories to life)that he often asks for it instead
of a book at night! Maybe you have a young boy into adventure
and superheroes? Some of the children's bibles available today
provide such spellbinding and heroistic accounts of the
scriptures that most young boys cannot resist them. Not only
that, but you are providing them a built-in bible lesson while
being entertained. Does it get any better than that?
We must become accountable for our children's spiritual
upbringing and not expect the sunday school program to do the
work. Many kids are hungering for this knowledge and it is up to
us as parents to provide that. There are so many great
children's resources on the internet-some free, some not. Please
feel free to access all resources on
http://www.child-bible-lessons.com free of charge. If you get a
kid hooked on God's promises and teach them the rules of the
game early on; then you will have a successful adult who becomes
responsible for him/herself and an asset to society.