Faith, Technology, and Trusting God with Our Children

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored some of life's most pressing questions, particularly focusing on how to stay connected with God and become the people we aspire to be. I was joined by Alan George, who has extensive experience in building spiritual online communities. We delved into the power of technology in fostering relationships and spiritual growth, transcending geographical and cultural barriers. This conversation highlighted the limitless potential of using technology as a tool to uplift and support one another in our faith journeys.

A poignant question was raised about what more can be done for loved ones who have turned away from faith, despite years of prayer. Alan shared a deeply personal story about his own journey away from and back to faith, emphasizing the power of persistent prayer and the importance of holding onto God's promises, even when circumstances seem hopeless. His story illustrated that transformation often comes not through forceful persuasion but through personal encounters with God, often when we reach the end of our own strength.

We also discussed the emotional challenges parents face when their children stray from faith. The waiting can be excruciating, but it's crucial to remain steadfast in one's own faith and not let one's well-being hinge on the choices of others. Trusting that God loves our children even more than we do and that He is working for their ultimate good can provide peace and hope. This trust is not about relinquishing responsibility but about recognizing that our children are not extensions of our own legacies but individuals with their own journeys and purposes in God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- Technology offers unprecedented opportunities for spiritual connection and growth, allowing us to build relationships and communities that transcend physical and cultural boundaries. This can be a powerful tool for encouraging and supporting one another in our faith journeys. [01:52]

- Persistent prayer is a powerful force, even when circumstances seem bleak. Alan's story reminds us that transformation often comes through personal encounters with God, not through forceful persuasion. Trust in God's timing and His ability to reach hearts in ways we cannot. [06:51]

- As parents, it's vital to remain steadfast in our faith and not let our well-being depend on our children's choices. Trusting that God loves our children more than we do and is working for their good can provide peace and hope, even in difficult times. [11:08]

- Our children are not extensions of our own legacies but individuals with their own journeys and purposes in God's kingdom. Recognizing this can help us release the pressure to control their paths and instead trust God with their futures. [12:25]

- Ultimately, God is the kind of person we can trust to do the absolute best by every human being. This trust allows us to place our loved ones in His hands, knowing that He is working for their ultimate good, even when we cannot see it. [11:23]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Introduction to Alan George
[01:19] - Building Spiritual Online Communities
[02:40] - A Parent's Heartfelt Question
[03:18] - Alan's Personal Journey
[05:33] - The Power of Prayer and Sticky Notes
[06:51] - A Transformative Encounter with God
[08:35] - The Challenge of Waiting
[09:03] - Spirituality and Humanity
[10:05] - Parenting and Faith
[11:08] - Trusting God with Our Children
[12:02] - God's Love for Our Children
[12:25] - Children as Individuals in God's Kingdom
[12:57] - Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
2. John 16:33 (NIV) - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
3. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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Observation Questions:

1. What role does technology play in building spiritual communities according to Alan George? [01:52]
2. How did Alan's personal journey away from and back to faith illustrate the power of persistent prayer? [06:51]
3. What emotional challenges do parents face when their children stray from faith, as discussed in the sermon? [11:08]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between parents and their children in terms of spiritual legacy? [12:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might Proverbs 22:6 be understood in the context of a child who has strayed from faith? What does this imply about the role of upbringing and personal choice?
2. In what ways does John 16:33 provide comfort to parents who are waiting for their children to return to faith? How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual perseverance?
3. How does Philippians 4:6-7 encourage believers to handle anxiety and uncertainty, especially concerning loved ones who have turned away from faith?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of trusting God's timing and His ability to reach hearts in ways we cannot? [11:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when technology helped you grow spiritually. How can you leverage technology to support others in their faith journey? [01:52]
2. Alan's story emphasizes the power of prayer. How can you incorporate persistent prayer into your daily routine for someone who has strayed from faith? [06:51]
3. As a parent or mentor, how can you maintain your well-being and faith when someone you care about makes choices that concern you? [11:08]
4. Consider the idea that children are not extensions of our legacies but individuals with their own journeys. How does this perspective change the way you pray for and interact with the younger generation? [12:25]
5. Identify a specific promise from God that you can hold onto during challenging times with loved ones. How can this promise provide peace and hope? [11:23]
6. How can you remind yourself that God loves your children more than you do and is working for their ultimate good? What practical steps can you take to trust God with their futures? [12:02]
7. Think of a person in your life who is struggling with faith. What is one tangible way you can show them love and support this week, without trying to forcefully persuade them? [06:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Technology for Spiritual Growth
Technology offers unprecedented opportunities for spiritual connection and growth, allowing us to build relationships and communities that transcend physical and cultural boundaries. In today's world, technology can be a powerful tool for encouraging and supporting one another in our faith journeys. By leveraging online platforms, we can create spaces where people from different backgrounds and locations can come together to share their experiences, learn from one another, and grow in their faith. This digital connectivity can help us overcome the limitations of distance and cultural differences, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among believers. [01:52]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use technology today to connect with someone in your faith community who may feel isolated or disconnected?


Day 2: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is a powerful force, even when circumstances seem bleak. Transformation often comes through personal encounters with God, not through forceful persuasion. Trust in God's timing and His ability to reach hearts in ways we cannot. When we pray persistently, we are not only expressing our desires to God but also aligning ourselves with His will and timing. This act of faith can be transformative, both for us and for those we are praying for, as it opens the door for God to work in ways that we may not be able to see or understand. [06:51]

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you have been praying for persistently? How can you renew your commitment to pray for them today, trusting in God's perfect timing?


Day 3: Trusting God with Our Children's Journeys
As parents, it's vital to remain steadfast in our faith and not let our well-being depend on our children's choices. Trusting that God loves our children more than we do and is working for their good can provide peace and hope, even in difficult times. This trust is not about relinquishing responsibility but about recognizing that our children are not extensions of our own legacies but individuals with their own journeys and purposes in God's kingdom. By releasing the pressure to control their paths, we can instead focus on supporting them in their unique journeys and trusting God with their futures. [11:08]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you support your child's spiritual journey today, while also trusting God with their future?


Day 4: Recognizing Our Children's Individuality in God's Kingdom
Our children are not extensions of our own legacies but individuals with their own journeys and purposes in God's kingdom. Recognizing this can help us release the pressure to control their paths and instead trust God with their futures. Each child is uniquely created by God, with their own gifts, talents, and callings. By acknowledging and celebrating their individuality, we can encourage them to pursue their own relationship with God and discover their place in His kingdom. This perspective allows us to support them in their spiritual growth without imposing our own expectations or desires. [12:25]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you encourage your child to explore their unique gifts and calling in God's kingdom today?


Day 5: Trusting God's Ultimate Goodness
Ultimately, God is the kind of person we can trust to do the absolute best by every human being. This trust allows us to place our loved ones in His hands, knowing that He is working for their ultimate good, even when we cannot see it. By trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can find peace and hope in the midst of uncertainty and challenges. This trust is not passive but active, as it involves continually seeking God's guidance and wisdom in our own lives and in the lives of those we care about. [11:23]

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's goodness more fully today? How can you actively seek His guidance in this area?

Quotes

"Yeah, I think it's amazing what we get to be a part of in this day and age. I think about how because of technology we're not limited. I mean, you are where you are, and I'm here where I am, and we still get to have a conversation. And so I love the fact that as a church, as the body of Christ, as people who follow God, we're not limited now by distance or by even cultures or languages in order for us to build a relationship. We can do that here through technology. So I think that the sky's the limit with how God can use that tool and how we can leverage it to build each other up and grow in our faith. So I'm excited about it." [00:99:11]

"Alan, what do you have to say in response to that very, very tender question? Yeah, John, this one hit home for me because I'm reminded of my own situation. So yes, I have been a pastor for many years now, but I wasn't always a pastor. My story was similar, but it was a little bit different. I grew up in a Christian home. My parents were in ministry. My dad was a pastor. But just because of things that I experienced in my life, you know, I struggled with education, and I kept feeling like I was letting those who love me down." [00:194:00]

"Slowly that thought turned into an embarrassment, and I thought, man, if my earthly family is having so much of a struggle with me, then, you know, God probably doesn't want to have anything to do with me. And that was just my own misconception. I mean, that wasn't based on any truth. It was just based on how I felt. And because my relationship with my parents was struggling, I just took that relationship and put it on to God. So I didn't necessarily doubt God's existence. I just figured he wouldn't want to have anything to do with me." [00:231:92]

"I remember there was a pivotal point for her and my sister where I remember walking into the house, and everywhere I looked, I saw these yellow sticky notes. There was a sticky note on the fridge, sticking out on the bathroom mirror, and there were these letters. I had no clue what it meant, and so I would ask them. I was like, what is this? This is silly. This is, you know, what are you guys doing? And they're like, oh no, just don't worry about it. What they were doing was when they would see me coming home drunk or just a total mess, it was easy for their eyes to focus on the situation instead of what God's word says and the promises." [00:333:12]

"These yellow sticky notes were code verses that they didn't want me to know because if I knew, I would tear those down. And they just began to, when they would see me in a, you know, in a bad place, they would force their eyes to look at those sticky notes and go, you know what, we're just gonna believe that God's gonna answer our prayer. I can tell you, John, if you would have looked at my life, anybody from the outside would have said, you guys are crazy. There is no hope for the situation." [00:366:24]

"It happened, and it wasn't the result of anyone trying to preach down my throat. It honestly was a moment I had with God because I was, I just reached the end of my rope, and I said, there's obviously nobody that can help me. God, if you exist, and I remember looking up and saying, God, if you exist, you speak to me. And he did. I don't know if it was an audible voice. I don't know if I just heard in my heart, but that moment was what really changed my life." [00:407:84]

"As a parent, I see the power of prayer, but I also see, you know, my oldest is 13, and it's like, okay, here we go. So get the sticky notes out. Yes, it's time to get the sticky notes out. So I, all I can say is this is my experience, and prayer works. I don't know how long it would take. I don't know what all would need to happen, but I think in moments like that, holding on to God as tight as we can is honestly our only hope." [00:447:59]

"I think that in matters of intense emotion or where the heart is deeply involved, waiting is so difficult, and it feels like if it can't happen today and if I can't have some guarantee of it happening, I don't think I can hardly stand it. And Alan, that's such a personal story for you, man. Thank you for sharing that. I think it was one of the videos that you mentioned. You said this line, and I wrote it down: spirituality does not allow me to escape from the reality of humanity." [00:509:12]

"If my child was on the journey that this guy's describing, I would want to be solid in my old faith. I would want to be confident in it, but I wouldn't want to be stressed, anxious. I wouldn't want my well-being as a person to rest on the decisions that my child was making. And so as I have had to walk through this journey as a parent and not have any guarantees of what well outcomes will be, that thought of if I was watching a movie of my life, what would the person who was playing me have to do for me to really admire them?" [00:613:51]

"Ultimately, we don't know. There are people who raise kids the best they can, and those kids never follow God as far as we know, but only God knows the heart. And I think something Dallas Willard used to say is, God is the kind of person we can trust to do the absolute best he can by every human being. And that, you know, in terms of how do I place the people that I love in God's hands, that thought, I don't know about their decisions, I don't know about formulas, my ultimate trust is God will do the absolute best God can by everybody, including my kids and yours." [00:666:39]

"Sometimes we think that we love our kids more than God loves our kids, and it's a reminder that there's no way we can love them more than he loves them. And how do we remember that? How do we rest in that? I'm still learning that, but there's a lot of truth to that as well. No, it's so good, and they're not ours. We think of them as our kids, but they're not ours, and they're not our legacy. Like, you know, and I've said this too, it's like, oh my, we got to raise up our kids so that they continue our legacy and we gotta, because they represent us. No, no, they're their own people. God has his own purpose for them, and they have their own journey." [00:714:00]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?