Reclaiming Our Children: A Call to Action
Summary
In today's message, I shared a heartfelt and urgent call to action for our church community. We began by discussing the cultural shifts that have allowed negative influences to infiltrate our lives, particularly those of our children. The example of the movie "Dear Santa," where Satan is portrayed as a mischievous character, highlights how desensitized we've become to spiritual dangers. This is a wake-up call for us to recognize the enemy's boldness and our role in allowing such influences to persist.
We then delved into the sensitive topic of abortion, emphasizing that it is not merely a political issue but a deeply biblical one. The scriptures in Leviticus and Jeremiah remind us of the sanctity of life and the grave consequences of turning a blind eye to such practices. The staggering statistics of abortions highlight the need for the church to offer compassionate alternatives and support for women facing difficult decisions. We must rise as a community to provide love, care, and choices that align with God's heart.
Furthermore, I addressed the broader attack on our children through education systems and social media, which often do not align with God's design for childhood. Our children are being molded in ways that strip them of their innocence and creativity. As a church, we must stand firm and offer environments where they can learn and grow in the ways God intended.
The message also highlighted the importance of engaging with programs like game day clubs, which provide opportunities for children to learn about Jesus. Despite the open doors and support from local authorities, there is a lack of churches willing to participate. This is a call for us to step up and seize these opportunities to impact young lives positively.
Finally, I challenged the church to reconsider how we integrate children into our worship and community life. Separating families during worship may inadvertently weaken the family unit. We should strive to worship together, teaching our children the value of being part of the body of Christ. This is a crucial step in reclaiming the next generation for Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. Cultural Desensitization: The portrayal of Satan as a fun character in media reflects a broader cultural desensitization to spiritual dangers. We must remain vigilant and discerning, recognizing the enemy's tactics and protecting our children from harmful influences. [35:37]
2. Abortion as a Biblical Issue: Abortion is not just a political debate but a biblical concern. Scripture calls us to uphold the sanctity of life and to offer compassionate support and alternatives to women facing difficult choices. We must be the hands and feet of Christ, providing love and care. [39:24]
3. Educational and Social Media Challenges: Our children face challenges in education and social media that do not align with God's design. We must advocate for environments that nurture their God-given creativity and innocence, resisting the pressures to conform to worldly standards. [42:32]
4. Engagement in Ministry Opportunities: Programs like game day clubs offer significant opportunities to share Jesus with children. Despite open doors, there is a lack of church participation. We must rise to the occasion, recognizing the eternal impact we can have on young lives. [53:07]
5. Family Worship and Unity: Integrating children into worship services strengthens the family unit and teaches them the value of being part of the church body. We should strive to worship together, fostering a sense of community and shared faith. [54:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:35] - Introduction and Personal Reflection
- [34:20] - Passion for Children's Well-being
- [35:37] - Cultural Desensitization and Media
- [36:50] - Shift in the Body of Christ
- [37:46] - Open Prowling of the Enemy
- [38:33] - The Issue of Abortion
- [39:24] - Biblical Perspective on Abortion
- [40:45] - Statistics and Realities
- [42:32] - Educational and Social Media Challenges
- [50:06] - Complacency in Blessings
- [50:50] - Easy Battle Plan
- [52:14] - Game Day Clubs Opportunity
- [53:07] - Call for Church Participation
- [54:55] - Family Worship and Unity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Leviticus 20:1-4 - Discusses the consequences of sacrificing children to Molek.
2. Jeremiah 32:34-35 - Speaks about setting up vile images and sacrificing children, which God never commanded.
3. Psalm 27:1-3 - A passage about the Lord being our light and salvation, encouraging us not to fear.
#### Observation Questions
1. What cultural shifts were mentioned in the sermon that have allowed negative influences to infiltrate our lives, especially those of our children? [35:37]
2. How does the sermon describe the portrayal of Satan in the movie "Dear Santa," and what concern does it raise? [35:37]
3. What statistics were shared in the sermon regarding abortion, and what do they reveal about the issue? [42:32]
4. What opportunities does the sermon highlight for engaging children in learning about Jesus, and what challenges are faced in this area? [53:07]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the portrayal of Satan in media as a reflection of cultural desensitization to spiritual dangers? [35:37]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that abortion is a biblical issue rather than a political one, and how does it use scripture to support this view? [39:24]
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of education systems and social media on children, and what is the church's role in addressing these challenges? [42:32]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of family worship and unity, and how might this influence the next generation? [54:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the cultural influences in your own life. Are there any areas where you feel desensitized to spiritual dangers? How can you become more vigilant in protecting yourself and your family? [35:37]
2. How can you personally support women facing difficult decisions regarding pregnancy in a way that aligns with the biblical perspective shared in the sermon? [39:24]
3. What steps can you take to advocate for environments that nurture children's God-given creativity and innocence, both in education and at home? [42:32]
4. Are there opportunities in your community, like game day clubs, where you can volunteer to share Jesus with children? What might be holding you back from participating? [53:07]
5. How can you integrate your children into worship and community life in a way that strengthens your family unit and teaches them the value of being part of the church body? [54:55]
6. Consider the portrayal of spiritual themes in media that you consume. How can you discern and choose content that aligns with your faith values?
7. What practical steps can you take this week to engage in conversations about the sanctity of life with compassion and understanding, avoiding political debates? [39:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Vigilance Against Cultural Desensitization
In today's world, cultural influences often desensitize us to spiritual dangers, subtly altering our perceptions and values. The portrayal of Satan as a fun character in media is a stark example of this shift. It reflects a broader cultural trend where spiritual threats are trivialized, leading to a lack of discernment among believers. This desensitization can have profound effects, especially on children, who are impressionable and vulnerable to such influences. As a community, it is crucial to remain vigilant, discerning the enemy's tactics and actively protecting our children from harmful influences. By fostering environments that prioritize spiritual awareness and biblical values, we can counteract these negative cultural shifts and safeguard the spiritual well-being of our families. [35:37]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: What specific cultural influences in your life might be desensitizing you to spiritual truths, and how can you actively counteract them today?
Day 2: Upholding the Sanctity of Life
Abortion is often framed as a political issue, but it is fundamentally a biblical concern. Scripture emphasizes the sanctity of life, reminding us of the grave consequences of ignoring such practices. The staggering statistics of abortions highlight the urgent need for the church to offer compassionate alternatives and support for women facing difficult decisions. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet, providing love, care, and choices that align with God's heart. This involves not only advocating for life but also creating a supportive community that offers practical help and hope to those in need. By doing so, we can uphold the biblical mandate to protect and cherish life in all its forms. [39:24]
Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Reflection: How can you personally contribute to creating a supportive environment for women facing difficult choices regarding life and pregnancy?
Day 3: Advocating for Godly Education
The education system and social media present significant challenges to our children's spiritual growth, often promoting values that do not align with God's design. These influences can strip children of their innocence and creativity, molding them in ways that conform to worldly standards. As a church, it is our responsibility to advocate for environments that nurture their God-given potential and protect their spiritual well-being. This involves being proactive in engaging with educational content, monitoring social media use, and providing alternative spaces where children can learn and grow in alignment with biblical principles. By doing so, we can help preserve their innocence and foster a love for God and His ways. [42:32]
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that the educational and media influences in your child's life align with God's design for their growth and development?
Day 4: Seizing Ministry Opportunities
Programs like game day clubs offer significant opportunities to share Jesus with children, yet there is a noticeable lack of church participation. Despite open doors and support from local authorities, many churches are not stepping up to seize these opportunities. This is a call to action for believers to recognize the eternal impact they can have on young lives by engaging in such ministries. By participating in these programs, we can provide children with a foundation of faith and introduce them to the love of Jesus. It is essential for the church to rise to the occasion, embracing these opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of the next generation. [53:07]
Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV): "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Reflection: How can you personally get involved in ministry opportunities that impact children, and what steps will you take to start this week?
Day 5: Strengthening Family Worship
Integrating children into worship services is vital for strengthening the family unit and teaching them the value of being part of the church body. Separating families during worship may inadvertently weaken these bonds, leading to a fragmented sense of community. By worshiping together, families can foster a sense of unity and shared faith, modeling the importance of being part of the body of Christ. This approach not only strengthens family relationships but also instills in children a deep appreciation for communal worship and the church's role in their spiritual journey. As a church, we should strive to create inclusive worship experiences that welcome and engage all members of the family. [54:55]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: What changes can you make in your family's worship routine to ensure that it strengthens your family unit and deepens your collective faith?
Quotes
"We have become so worried about offending people. We don't want to offend people. We don't want to offend them. Let's preach good, happy sermons where everybody feels good. And then we'll get likes on our social media." [00:38:33] (16 seconds)
"And we don't talk about it because we don't want to offend anybody. And we say, well, it's political. It's not political. It's biblical. It's a biblical problem." [00:39:24] (13 seconds)
"We've become fat and lazy, like some of those prophets in the Old Testament, where it's like, meh, we've gone off of his blessings. And because of that, it's empowered Satan. He doesn't even have to hide anymore." [00:50:50] (17 seconds)
"We could have 26 game day clubs. That is all those students coming to learn about Jesus. But in the last year, I've hit a roadblock. Because I cannot find churches who are willing." [00:52:55] (15 seconds)
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