How do you help children in today’s world?

Do you ever worry about the world in which our children grow up? I recently helped a number of young people with various life issues. I was talking to another pastor about some of these issues and he said, “I wouldn’t want to have to grow up again in today’s world.”

In other words, the challenges, temptations and distractions faced by our young people today are truly significant. These temptations and challenges faced by our children are much different than those faced by this pastor and I when we grew up.

For many of us adults, even if we did face drugs, overt sexual temptation, rejection of faith or violent attacks from other students, those difficulties still did not exist at the same level as children today face. I understand what my pastor friend meant: “I wouldn’t want to have to grow up again in today’s world.”

So, as parents, grandparents and concerned adults, how do we help our children and the children in today’s world? Last Sunday’s epistle lesson was from Ephesians 6. In the face of life’s spiritual battles, the church of God was encouraged with the following words: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. … Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

God tells us that he has given us armor and weapons to face the spiritual attacks that assault us in this world. One of those weapons is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Last Sunday, St. John and many other churches started up the Sunday School program again. Children from age 18 months through their 90s are studying what God has to say to us about life in this world and about eternal life. Through these classes our students learn they are created by God with love and wisdom, and that they are precious in his sight. Through this study God assures our students that he loves and forgives them in Jesus. Through our Sunday School, our students learn what God says about facing the challenges and temptations of life.

So, as parents, grandparents and concerned adults, how do we help our children and the children in today’s world? Won’t you feel better if your child is tempted with drugs, but you know they have been to Sunday School and learned about God’s love and his directions for their lives? Won’t you feel better if your child’s faith is challenged, but they have had time in Sunday School to consider all that God has done for them and continues to do? Won’t you feel better if your child faces bullying or violence of any other sort, but they have been instructed about how God’s children live in faith and love? God’s word is the sword of the Spirit to fight the spiritual battles of life.

Even though God inspired Paul to write these words about 2,000 years ago, they are still meaningful to us in today’s world.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. … Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

I hope to see you in Sunday School.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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