Often times, parents see the preteen ministry leaders as the ones that are responsible for the teaching and modeling of God’s word. I love that part of my gig. But if I can just let you in on a little secret, your kids probably aren’t listening to us as much as you would like them to or even as much as you would believe.
Your kids need you to talk about the Bible and read it and live by it.
God’s word is food for us (Matthew 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2) instruction for living (Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105) and is a delight to those who love God (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:18)
But it’s so much more than that. If you are relying on the youth pastor to teach your kids the Bible and you handle the rest, let me just give you a few reasons why we both can’t be successful that way.
1. Focus
If two main influencers in your life are teaching, modeling, and pushing different things, how are you going to know what to do? When both the church and the family align in what they are teaching it allows both groups to focus in on what our children really need. When we teach TOGETHER we multiply our effectiveness.
Make sure you know what’s going on in our groups and also make sure you are reading the Bible for yourself. I can’t tell you how many times parents talk to me about their kids learning more than them about the Bible.
Parents, don’t let your kids outgrow you.
2. Time
The church gets around 40 hrs a year with your child. You by comparison, get around 3,000 hours of time with them!! Parents, you are the primary influencer in the life of your child. Even though Bieber, Youth Pastor, and Xbox might seem like giant influences, we have nothing on you.
Don’t waste this time. Find ways to bring up God and His word in everyday conversations. What does the Bible say about studying for school? What does God’s word say about being rude to a teacher?
These are all opportunities to make conversation about God a normal occurrence for the majority of their time!
Youth Pastors are screaming for parents to lead their children in the spiritual realm. Help us to help you teach your kids how to walk in faith.
If you aren’t taking the time to read your Bible and talk about it with your children then they are missing out on the most important influencer in their life talking to them about the most important thing.
3. Collaboration
It’s amazing how much the Bible has to say about our lives. Your kids always have something going on. Do you know what the Bible says about the situation that your child is in?
Bring the leaders in your child’s life in on what’s going on in their heart. When a parent of one of the kids in my small group emails me to let me know, hey this is what’s going on in my little man’s life right now, it helps me direct conversations. Talk to your child’s mentors, small group leaders, and influencers and partner with them to make a difference in the life of your child. Let us know what you talked about with them. Ask for Scripture to help you have a conversation with them.
Youth Leaders, do your part to collaborate with the parents of the kids that you minister to. Send emails summarizing group time. Send promotional materials to parents as well as kids so that they can help promote your event in their home. Help moms and dads figure out what the Bible says in situations so that they can teach it to their children.
If you don’t collaborate you might be missing out on huge moments the Holy Spirit could be using to move your child’s heart closer to God. We need to work together and that means we need you to be comfortable with Scripture.
Moms and Dads, your kids need you to read the Bible. You need you to read the Bible. It’s time to make this year one that we concentrate on God’s word. Your kids don’t need you to be a Bible scholar, but they do need to know that the Bible is an important part of your life, even if you don’t understand it all.
For their sake, read His word.
