Faith is caught
February 13, 2009
So this week I’ve been reading 2 Timothy, following the Daily Lectionary in the BCP. The phrase that stopped my reading was, “…how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures…”. Before long my mind was back at the beginning of Paul’s letter, which stated, ” I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
I am convinced that God intends families to be the primary environment where the seeds of faith are planted and nurtured. God has given the privilege and responsibility of “spiritual guide” to parents. But lately us parents (especially pastors) handed that responsibility to “church programing” and “paid experts.” Today our families and churches are suffering because of this fatal mistake. Children are left spiritually bankrupt, youth are bored with church programs and parents are left standing in the midst of a family in chaos, wondering what happened and who to turn to.
Ivy Beckwith explains the current state this way, “At the end of the 20th century, churches were seduced by the sirens of consumerism. They came to believe that providing Disneyesque children’s programs constituted the path to larger adult attendance numbers. In doing so they disregarded and lost a sense of what it means to spiritually form children and help children know and love God and live in the way of Jesus. they lost a sense of what children need spiritually from the adults in their lives.
What does your faith community do to resource and encourage parents as “spiritual guides”?
Am I way off suggesting something needs to change in our approach to children/youth ministry?
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You are right on. There was a debate in our church not that long ago about whether the scripture text should be projected on the screen at the front of church.
It was denied.
You know why?
Because then people would not know where the books of the Bible are! As if the only time people are expected to pick up a Bible and look at it is during the church service. And as if that is enough to make them Biblically literate!?!
What happened to the responsibility of the family to teach their children the basics about the great love story contained in the scriptures?
We wonder why our young people are moving away from the church and the faith?
It was never shown to be a part of their lives at home.
How does a child learn to use a fork? Do we send them to school? Do we set up an overhead projector with relevant slides? Do we hold a special seminar called “Learning to use and enjoy your fork”?
No, a child watches her parents. She sees her parents using a fork. She sees its importance. She tries one out that is her size. Mom or dad come alongside to instruct, to help, to correct. Growing facility with the fork means greater independence. All in the context of the home, the family, the dinner table.
What better context to learn?
Great point Chad. I love the simple and profound fork metaphor, Rick. If faith is caught, then may I be infected with the scandalous love of Jesus and may I be close enough to my kids that they “catch it.”
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Great discussion guys.
Caught? By all means. Live it before them and with them.
Taught? Yes also taught (thee commandments, teach them to your children). Caught is not enough. Intentional teaching is necessary (Deut 6).
Jamie, you asked what if our church is doing something about this. I don’t think so other than hoping that in some indirect way the parents will catch the gist of it or that by learning themselves, they would automatically teach their children.
The busyness created by affluence is prohibitive. The busyness created by church ministry is insurmountable for some. I found myself asking the other day after reading in REJESUS if our church dropped programming for children how many would still come. I have no answer only wondering.
O for a sane way of living life again!