Why We Lose Our Young People

(based on an outline originally by Titus Edwards

FILING INFORMATION: 

96052

09/29/96 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  Introduction

A.   In our lesson this evening, we are going to discuss a problem that is chronic and very prevalent in the Lord’s church. 

1.    a problem that greatly effects the future of the Lord’s church

2.    a problem can be easily seen when one looks at it objectively.

3.    that problem is how we are losing our young people to the clutches of the devil.

a.     a topic that particularly interests me, because I am a new father.  I want to do everything in my power to make sure my daughter becomes a Christian and remains faithful when she is old enough.

b.    a topic that is VERY relevant to this congregation.

1.    have 18 young folks in this congregation under the age of 17.

2.    we need to do everything in our power to be # 1 a good example to them, and # 2 do our best to persuade them to obey Jesus Christ before it is too late.

B.  Many Parents are broken hearted over the loss of their young people.

1.    Not lost to disease of some physical sort.

2.    Rather many of our children have some sort of “disease” spiritually. 

3.    Result of not being nurtured of in a spiritual sense during their childhood.

C. We lose our children for a number of reasons 

1. Immorality.  Becoming more prevalent each & every year.  We have become “de-sensitized” to it.

a.     as a result many quit going to church

b.    going to other exciting churches.  These are simply False Religions.  Our children are growing up not realizing the perils of denominationalism.  The attitude of the denominational world is to tolerate each others beliefs. 

2. Some lost even though they are still among us.

a.  it is sad to say that some are just waiting till the day they get out of the house so they will not have to come to church anymore.

D.  Title implies Losing our young people.

1. Church in Baton Rouge, LA survey had lost 38% of their young people.

2.    Church in Minden, La did a survey of their young people over a 12 year time. 36% still going to church.  THAT MEANS THAT 64% of those young folks are unfaithful!!!!!  That figure should make us sick.

a.     I have seen other surveys conducted by churches that are comparable to this survey.

b.    In my generation of young folks at the Tanner St. church in Malvern, AR there were 9 of us. Presently 44% of that group are either unfaithful, or attending institutional churches.

c.     Let’s do that math and make it applicable to the congregation here.  We have 18 young folks.  36% of 18 is:  6.48  Rounded = 7. 

1.    What if in a decade from now only 7 of our young people gathered here in this congregation still faittful?

2.    How tragic!!!  That equals out to effecting almost 1 soul per family in this congregation with children! 

3.    Now is the time to act!!!

E. Complex issue - don't want to over simply it.

1. Don't have all the answers

F.    I Come as a concerned parent.  More importantly I come as a concerned Christian.  Many of us sometimes are concerned about carrying on the family name:

1.    Carrying on the Allen name:  I am the only one able to do so…

2.    We hardly ever think of carrying on the name of Christ!

 

II.  Why We Lose Our Young People.

A. Lack of Proper Teaching.

1.  we must realize that faith is not inherited.  It is not in our genes…

a.     Just because we are Christians and involved means our children will automatically be.

b.  God doesn't have any grand children.

2.  Must be some teaching and accepting

a.  Romans 10:17; Matthew 28:18

b. Church responsible for having good classes and lessons from the pulpit.

3.    But, we must realize that the Primary Responsibility of teaching our children relies on the parents. 

a.  Proverbs 22:6;

4. Ephesians 6:4 - Many times substitute the parents responsibility with:

a.     Basketball, Baseball, Football

b.    Other things.

c.     Is this to say that B’Ball, Baseball, F’Ball wrong?  Of course not.  Our children should be in these things to interact with their friends.  Should this replace proper biblical teaching?

1.  become so wrapped up in this kind of activity that God is “pushed” out of the way, or put on the back burner.

5. We need to Emphasize Proper teaching.

a   Balanced

1.  Not meaning

a.   Old Testament vs. New Testament, Topical, Verse by Verse all good.

2.  Meaning - Positive Negative balance

a.  Not just No, No, No; or Sin, Sin, Sin; Error, Error, Error

b.  Christians opposed to everything.

3.  Teach also Love for Jesus - Elder said one time won't have that here.

4. Teach Plan of Salvation but also grace and Joy of Christianity.

b. Daughter told mother all the Preacher can do is tell me what I can't do.  She left and never came back.

6.  Must learn to think for themselves - 2 Timothy 2:15

a. Not just learn things from for memory

b. Teach them to understand the truth.

c. Blacksmith had an apprentice.  He taught him to use the hammer and all the tools. Apprentice went to work for Royal smithing  and was fired the first day.

1.  Blacksmith forgot to teach him how to light the spark.

d.    Let's teach our young people to light the spark!

e.     Teach them to become interested in spiritual, wholesome activities. 

B.  Hypocritical Parents

1. Some Parents say one thing and live another.

2. Might fool everyone else - Will not fool our children.

a. Know if we are greedy - selfish.

b. See difference between faith and profession.

3. Must live to be an example - Matthew 18:6

a. Carl Sandberg - Asked what he thought about Christianity he said don't know never seen it tried.

b.    2 Teenage girls in an accident one killed the other seriously injured. Father learned drinking was the cause. Was mad. Said he would kill the man that sold it to them.

1.  Went home reached in cabinet to get drink to calm nerves his bottle was gone.

4. We must strive to be a constant example to our children.  They often become a shadow of our own ways.

C. Parents not involved in Church

1.    Statistics.  Based upon the Louisiana example used earlier:

a.     Both parents involved 90% of young people stay.

b.    1 Parent involved  74% of young people stay.

c.     Both parents there not involved 54% of young people remain.

d.    Both parents occasional attendance but otherwise inactive 6% young people remain.

2.    See older people involved and young people gone. Maybe when children growing up not active.

a.     Too late when older.  The time is NOW to get involved.  How can we become involved?

1.    teaching a bible class

2.    fellowship with other Christians, and their children.

3.    fathers taking part in worship service.

D. Worldly Friends

1.    A recent survey demonstrated how young people spent their time.

2.    Out of 168 hours/wk listen to music 24 hours. Associate with friends 17 hours.

3.    Took a juvinile to Winchester the other day with M. Thompson.  He was excited to go back to jail.  His friends were there.  How sad!

4. Proverbs 24:1-2 ; 1 Corinthians 15:33 Don't be deceived.

a.. I remember my parents sometimes objecting to me about certain friends, or events I was going to:  Oh Dad - I am strong enough, You know me. . .  Try to smooth over with parents.

b. Hang around with skunks, eat with skunks what will you smell like?

5. Three things to correct this problem.

a.  Family time together

b. Teach about how to choose the right friends.

c. Make home a gathering place can have friends over.

E. Evil Influences

1. All around us - TV, Movies

2. Two Extremes of parents.

a. Some condone it

1.   Ephesians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22  Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 23:7 - for as a person thinks in his heart, so is he!

b.  Need rules restrictions

3. Try to put kids in a bubble and shield over protect them.

a.  Never learn to handle sin and corruption.

b. 18 they go hog wild.

4. Important to gradually let them have more responsibility for their lives.

a. Father to son when are you going to learn some responsibility. Son when you let me have some!

b.    Lamentations 3:27 - it is good for a man to bear his yoke in his youth.

1.    need to learn to be responsible when young.

2.    actions bring forth responsibility.

F. Problems In Church

1. Some churches fuss and fight all the time.

2. Most problems are of an opinion nature. Those involved try to say it is Matters of faith.

3. Need more love in practice.

4. Ox & Colt went to drink at spring fussing about who is going to drinkfirst until both looked up and saw a vulture flying over head. decided could drink together. Galatians 5:15

G. They Choose to Leave

1. All are free moral agents creatures of choice.

a. Matthew 13; Galatians 6:5; Romans 14:12;

b. 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12

2. Adam & Eve

3. Ultimately, our children will decide if they don't want to receive the gospel and remain faithful.  We can't force it on them.

a.  God wants people to freely choose.

b. They will have to answer.

4. Possible parents did good - child chose not to obey.

5. Not excuse for parental responsibility.

6. Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32  Who was the father? God   Was God at fault for the Prodigal's leaving?

 

III.  Conclusion.

A. Must Show concern for our young people

1.  Teach them properly with balanced teaching.

2   Set a good example for them.

3   Show them how to become involved as a Christian.

4   Teach them how to make the right kind of friends become friends with their friends.

5.  Teach them responsibility

6.  Let them see a proper love in the church.

7. Do a lot of praying

B.   Then maybe they will chose to become children of God themselves.

C.   Are you being an example to the young people of this congregation? 

1.    You can’t unless you are living right with the Lord.

2.    You have that opportunity this evening.

3.    Come make your life right with Christ.