Leading our youth

We live in a dangerous world, especially for our youth.  The Bible commands us to:  “Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” _{(Proverbs 22:6)}

Many parents feel like a man sitting on the banks of a river, praying.  He heard a man screaming for help, drowning.  Being a good swimmer, he jumped in and brought the man ashore.  In that moment, he heard another cry.  He jumped into the river again.  As soon as he reached the shore, he heard a third man screaming, and again he jumped in and rescued him.  After the eighth time, totally exhausted, he cried out to God, “Lord, please show me what is happening upstream!” 

Many of our youth are drowning in the tumultuous ways of the world, and we have become exhausted trying to rescue them downstream amid failure.  Upstream is where we as parents and godly leaders need to focus; upstream is where we need to begin training our children in the ways of God; upstream is the most effective place to teach godly principles required to avoid failure.

We teach our children a lot of things, many of which are important.  But nothing is more important than training them to live according to God’s Word.  “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” _{(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)}

At Bogard Press we provide literature to help you lead your youth in Bible studies.  While designed for class environments, these trusted studies can also be sent home with parents and children for family time in God’s Word.  The challenges before us are real.  We may feel exhausted, but I am thankful our God is greater than the challenges before us and has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

Dean Grigsby