RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

LeCrae is an award-winning artist who is making an impact in the lives of young people around the world. Recently, I was watching him share his story and was reminded of the impact grandparents can have in the life of their grandchildren.  He starts by saying this.  

"I remember when I was 17 and a lady asked me, 'Are you saved?'  I didn't have any idea what she meant.  What is 'saved?'  The best thing I could think through was maybe she means, 'Am I like my grandmother?'"

Soon his grandmother's prayers would be answered as LeCrae found Christ and his life was transformed.  This is an example of the power of a grandparent’s legacy. The compound spiritual influence of a parent and grandparent in the life of a young person can be profound.

At the time of this writing, there are over 4.9 million children being raised by a grandparent in the United States.  Grandparents need our support and prayers as they invest in their grandchildren.

Here are five questions you can ask to help grandparents navigate raising and influencing their grandchildren.

1. How can you leverage the spiritual influence you have as a grandparent in the life of your grandchild?

2. How can you be more intentional about being involved in your grandchild's spiritual milestones?

3. How can you serve in your grandchild's environment at church?

4. How can we connect our Children's Ministry to our Senior Adult Ministry in our church?

5. What tools and resources can I use to help disciple my grandchildren?

For faith to continue through the generations of a family, there must be a passing down of that faith.  Parents' role is to pass down the faith to their children who will in turn pass it down to their children who will in turn pass it down to their children.  And so faith can thrive from generation to generation. There is a great example of this found in Scripture. 

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."   2 Timothy 1:5

In this passage, we see faith was passed down through three generations.  Lois the grandmother, Eunice the mother and Timothy the son. We must remember that we teach what we know, but we produce what we are. I can guarantee you something.  Lois and Eunice lived their faith out.  As Timothy saw his grandmother and mother living out their faith, he was compelled to also possess this faith and live His life in accordance with it.

This doesn't mean grandparents and parents must be perfect to be a conduit of faith.  But it does mean that when we sin or our talk doesn't match our walk, then our kids and grandkids see us humbly admit our failure and ask God for forgiveness.

Be encouraged grandparents, even if you haven't been an example of sincere faith for your kids up to this point, you can start today.  Get with God. Ask Him to forgive you and help you be a faith example your grandchildren can follow.

No matter what your "faith passing down" situation has been up to this point, God offers you forgiveness and a fresh start.  He can use you to pass along a sincere faith starting today...right now.  Just admit to Him your failures and watch as He infuses you with a fresh faith that can change not only your life, but your grandchildren’s lives as well.

This is an excerpt from my latest book - Legacy...leave your mark on this world.  

You can get your copy of the book at this link. 

If you are like the majority of children's ministries, you are struggling to help parents get their priorities in order. 

I know I am. I have lots of families who only attend church once a month or so. The big question is how can I persuade them to be more consistent in their attendance? 

I have seen some success by using the following strategies.  Here are 5 ways to help parents get their priorities in the right order. 

Milestones emphasis. 

Milestones are big events in the life of a family. Here are 5 that I emphasize:

• Parent and Child Dedication
• Bible Presentation (going into 1st grade)
• Starting Point salvation class
• Baptism for Kids class
• Elementary Graduation  

In each of these classes, we talk about having our priorities in the right order. We have seen really good fruit in the Parent and Child Dedication class. I have found if we can catch the parents when they are young, we can help them get their priorities in order before their child gets in the flow of elementary life. 

Each of the these milestones are available at this link.  

Your teaching. 

When you are invited to teach parents, share a message / teaching about being faithful to God's house and keeping your priorities in order. 

We have a MomCo group in our ministry. We have around 11 moms in the program. I will be speaking to them in a few weeks. I will use this time to encourage them to have their priorities in the right order. 

Ask your Pastor to talk about keeping your priorities in the right order.  

It can have a big impact when your pastor talks about priorities in his messages. Keep him in the loop about how faithful families are or are not.  

Show parents the stats. 

A child that only comes to church once a month will be Biblically ignorant. They are missing 75% of the lessons. A child that only comes to church twice a month will struggle as well. They are missing 50% of the lessons.  Don't be surprised when these kids grow up and drop out of church.  These kind of attendance patterns leaves kids with a shallow faith. 

Sharing these stats with parents can be a wake-up call for many of them.

Get the parents and their children involved in serving. 

Who are the most faithful families in your church?  It is the families who are serving.  When families are serving, they show up.  Emphasizing serving will help parents get their priorities in the right order.

Here is a bonus tip. This is a great visual illustration you can show parents. 

Have parents draw a circle. 

Have parents draw a small circle in the middle of the circles...like the hub on a bicycle wheel. 

Have parents draw spokes from the hub to the outer edge of the big circle. 

On the spokes, have parents write down some of their families' priorities.  They may write things like trips together, holidays, church, meals together, etc. You might even have some parents who write down Jesus on one of the spokes.

Take them to Matthew 6:33.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you."  

Explain to parents that Jesus doesn't want to just be a part of their life, He wants to be the very center of their life. The top priority in their home. 

Have them write "Jesus" in the middle of the hub at the center of wheel. 

Explain that Jesus wants to control every single part of their life. He wants to lead every aspect of their life. 

Explain that when you put Jesus in first place in your life, everything else falls in place. 

As we do this, we will see parents begin to "get it."  

The only hope for the next generation is to have good, parental examples of what it means to follow Jesus first and foremost. 

What an opportunity we have to be that example.  

October is Pastor Appreciation month.  Today I want to say thank you to all of the children's ministry leaders who unselfishly give of their time, treasure and talents to help the next generation know Jesus and follow Him.

Most people do not know the full extent of what you do.  I chuckle with you when someone asks, "what do you do all week?"  

They don't understand all the hard work and time it takes to make children's ministry happen. 

But you know because you live it week in and week out.  

Thank you for your heart for the next generation.  

You get it.  

You know that the future of the church is in your ministry.  

You know that there is a battle being waged to capture the heart of the next generation.  You are serving on the front lines of this very real spiritual war.

You know that parents play the biggest role in their children's spiritual temperature and that is why you seek to influence parents every time you get an opportunity.

You know that most people come to Christ before the age of 16ish and so you are diligent to share the Gospel with children.

You know that it takes volunteers to sustain a children's ministry and so you constantly seek for ways to build your team. Don't be discouraged when you hear some "no's".  God has always provided you with volunteers in the past and He will continue to do so in the days ahead.  

Some of you reading this are tired.  Weary in well-doing.  I get it.  I have been there many times as well. Just tighten the grip you have with Jesus and depend totally upon Him.  He will never fail you or leave you.  In fact, I believe He is preparing to use your life like never before.  What you are feeling right now is just the on ramp for it.

Remember...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus. 

All the time and effort you spend on VBS...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus.

All the times you have asked people to serve in children's ministry....it will be worth it all when you see Jesus.

All the time and effort you spend preparing and teaching lessons...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus.

All the time and effort you spend taking kids to camp...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus.

All the time and energy you have put in leading children in worship...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus. 

All the time and effort you spend checking new families in...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus. 

All the time and effort you spend sharing the Gospel...it will be worth it all when you see Jesus.

Be encouraged today my friend. God keeps great records and great will be your reward in heaven. 

You are called.  Anointed.  Living out your destiny and best of all...God is for you...so who can be against you?

Some of you haven't heard "thank you" in a long time...even during "Pastor Appreciation" month.

From my heart to yours...thank you!  Thank you for who you are. Thank you for your passion to share the Gospel with the next generation.  Thank you for your heart to serve others.  Thank you for your vision to see kids and families come to Christ. 

There's nothing better than serving the next generation and influencing them at the most critical time in their life.  

What a blessing that God has called you to do this.  May you be encouraged and empowered today. 

I appreciate you!

Your Fan!

Dale

Our country has been on a spiritual and moral slide for years. With increased access to technology, social media, television, TicTok and YouTube the moral slide has accelerated. 

The enemy (Lucifer) is after our children and grandchildren. He is come to steal, kill and destroy. He doesn't even try to hide it now.  He speaks through the voices of those who follow him and says...

"We're here!"

"We're queer!"

"We're coming for your children!" 

They are shouting this unashamedly in crowds and in gatherings and rallies.

Now it is not just limited to a month.  It is going on all year long.  You can't watch television without seeing same sex propaganda played out in commercials.  Drag Queens gyrating around children, reading books to children at schools and libraries.  "Sex education books" available in school libraries for kids  that display sexual sins in graphic detail.

The government is saying our children belong to them.  They are trying to make critical decisions about children's gender and future without parental involvement and consent. 

There is so much more I could add to this, but if you've been paying attention to our culture recently, you know just how "in your face" and "crazy" it has been.  They are focused on the next generation and make no qualms about it.

Children are being targeted and having doubts placed in their mind about who God created them to be.  This has led to an increase of children and teens making wrong choices about the very core of their identity.

Look at these stats and notice the increase.  This is the generational percentage of adults who identify as "LGBTQ+"  according to Gallup polls.

Traditionalist - .08%

Boomers - 2.6%

Gen X -  4.2%

Millennials - 10.55%

Gen Z - 20.8%

How can we help children not just survive, but thrive and become spiritual champions?

How can we raise up spiritual champions who will lead this nation back to God? 

How can we raise up spiritual champions who will know why they believe what they believe and are able to not just defend their faith, but to also proclaim it to the world?

How can we raise up spiritual champions who will see through the lies of the enemy and stand against it?

How can we see kids develop a Biblical worldview and not follow the sinful whims that are pushed their way?

George Barna says this:

Here are some key things we can do raise up spiritual champions in a culture gone crazy.

Passion in our ministries.  Dead churches produce children and teens who go through the motions without a passion to follow Jesus.The next generation must see that we are passionate about following Jesus and reaching others for Him. 

Apologetics.  We must equip the next generation to know why they believe the Bible is the Word of God and Jesus is their Savior.  They must be able to articulate and defend their faith and beliefs.

Intercessory prayer.  Nothing will be accomplished without prayer.  We must daily lift up the next generation to God in prayer.

A balance of truth and love.  It takes both to be effective.  The world will not listen to us until they know that we truly love them.  It's like a plane.  It takes both wings to fly.  So it is with people. It takes grace and truth to reach them.  The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love.  Truth and love is the combination needed.

Wisdom.  The next generation needs wisdom to navigate this crazy culture. Let's pray that God will fill them with wisdom so they can see and follow the ways of God.

The Bible.  They must know it.  Read it.  Cling to it's truths.  Stand by it when they are told it is outdated and irrelevant.  Use it to convict the lost and bring hope to believers.

Parental guidance.  Parents are the biggest influence in a child's life.  Period.  If we are going to raise up spiritual champions, it will happen through the child's parents.  Invest in parents.  Equip parents to lead their children spiritually. Give them what they need to guide their children through the insanity.

We must remember that we are in a race for the heart of the next generation. We must get their first. 

Your turn.  What are your thoughts on this?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

We've all heard the statement "Put your money where your mouth is."  

This is a very relevant statement when it comes to children's ministry funding. 

Many churches say they care about reaching the next generation, but you would never know it based on their children's ministry's allocated budget.  

Just like any other line item it takes funding to reach the next generation.

What does your children's ministry budget say in these matters?  What your church spends money on shows what matters to your church.

Here are a few reasons why we must make investing in children's ministry a top priority.

• Most people come to Christ by their 18th birthday.
  

• Parents choose a church based on their children's ministry.
  

• A thriving children's ministry is a growth engine for a church.
  

• We are commanded in Scripture to pass down the faith to the next generation.
  

Another indicator in this matter is staffing.  Ideally, you will have 1 full-time staff person for every 100-125 children.  With this in mind, how is your church doing in this area?

I cannot stress how important it is to pour your money into the greatest mission field in the world....children.  

Our enemy...the devil...is doing all he can to kill, steal and destroy the next generation.  In the last year alone, he has amped up his attacks.  We see him at work...aggressively taking his message to the next generation.  

It's a message that normalizes and celebrates what God calls sin.  

It's a message that marches behind a flag that represents an evil agenda.

It's a message that is planting itself in our schools at an early age without the consent of parents much less church leaders.

It's a message that shakes a fist at God and ignores His clear commandments. 

Is your church buying new choir robes while keeping the children's ministry budget very lean?

Is your church funding the resources needed to run an excellent children's ministry?

My prayer is that this will be a wake-up call for many of us. Our opportunity to reach the next generation is slipping away from us.  We must make children's ministry a top priority.  

What is your church's budget for children's ministry saying?

There is no shortage of people to reach in this world.  If you look around, you will see kids and families who need Jesus.  

Look what Jesus said in Matthew 9:

"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 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.”

As Jesus went to the cities and villages of His surroundings, He saw crowds of people who needed the Gospel.  He was so moved that He said, "The harvest is plentiful."  

The challenge was not the harvest.  There were great crowds of people to reach. The challenge was having enough workers to reach them.   

The same can be said of the day we live in.  The harvest is truly plentiful.  Over 8 billion people call earth "home."  Many of them have never even heard the name of Jesus spoken.  Scores of them have never had access to a Bible.  

The same can be said about the youngest generation.  By 2025, there will be over 2 billion Gen Alpha children on this planet. The harvest is truly plentiful.  

The issue today is the same as it was in Jesus' day.  The laborers are few.  We need more volunteers to give their life to reaching the multitudes of people who don't know Jesus.

We must open our eyes and see the plentiful harvest around us.  The verses tell us that Jesus saw the crowds of people who needed Him.  Ask God to open your eyes to the lost condition of those around you. 

The first step in reaching those around you is to see them as Jesus sees them.  Lost. Without the Good Shepherd.  Harassed by the evil one.  Helpless to save themselves.  Wondering lost like a sheep who doesn't have a shepherd.

The next step is to ask God to fill your heart with compassion for the lost around you.  As Jesus saw the multitudes of people, His heart was filled with compassion for them.  Ask God to give you fresh compassion for the people in your community that do not know Jesus.  

Compassion will motivate you to get up and do something about reaching your community.  Compassion will propel you to serve others.  Compassion will turn your attention to those around you instead of yourself.  

Jesus said out of the compassion you experience, prayer will become a vital part of reaching your community.  

What will you be moved to pray for?  Workers for the plentiful harvest?

If you want to reach plenty of people, then you will need to have plenty of workers (volunteers).

We are to pray EARNESTLY for more volunteers.  When we get burdened to reach those around us, it will force us to our knees to beg God for help.  

We know that nothing of eternal value happens without prayer.  Prayer will be the difference-maker.

May God give us a fresh vision and passion to reach the kids and families that surround us.

Studies show that 13% of Gen Z (ages 11 to 26) claim to be atheists. This is double the number of adults who say they are atheists.

If we are going to see the next generation follow God, we are going to need His wisdom and guidance.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

If we don't teach children apologetics now, one day they may be apologizing for what we taught them.

Want to wait until they are in high school?  That will be too late.  The enemy isn't waiting.  Satan is waging an all out effort to capture the hearts of children before they leave elementary school.  I often think about this quote. 

In the race to a child's heart, the first one there wins.  -George Barna

13% of today's children say they are atheists. In a post-Christian nation, this is twice the number of adults who claim to be an atheist.  Can you sense the urgency of this?  

I think we often stick our head in the sand and pretend that everything is just fine.  We tell ourselves that the sweet little kids in our ministry would never even consider walking away from what we are teaching them.  But nothing can be farther from the truth.  

In many cases, here is what happens.  They arrive at college, unprepared and not equipped to answer the hard questions about the faith.  And when they are questioned at a deeper level, they have no answers. Over a period of time, they enter a faith crisis and are swayed to turn their back on Jesus and His church.  

Enough is enough.  It's time we stop with the cute little lessons and help kids discover the solid foundation our faith is built upon.  If we don't help kids answer the tough questions, they will get the wrong answers as they are growing up and will walk away in many cases.

We can't wait until the enemy brings the wrong answers.  We must be proactive. 

I was doing an apologetics series about the Bible with the children.  I went to some atheists' websites and found verses that they claim are errors in the Bible.  I then brought those verses to the kids and helped them see that the verses did not contradict each other.  None of the verses were errors. Here's an example.

In John's Gospel it says that Mary was at the tomb.                                                                                    (John 20:1)

"Early on Sunday morning,while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb..."

But then the Bible says in Mark 16 that there were 3 women at the tomb. 

"Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

At first glance it looks like these verses contradict each other.  John says that only Mary was at the tomb. But Mark 16 says there were three women at the tomb. Which is it? Is this a contradiction found in God's Word?

No.  If you take a closer look at John 20, it goes on to say this...

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and WE don’t know where they have put him!” 

Notice what the verse goes on to say.  Mary says that "WE" can't find Him.  "We" is plural.  So even though John only mentions one person by name (Mary), it goes on to say there were more people there with Mary when it uses the pronoun "WE."

There is no error found in these verses.  But if we don't help kids take a deeper dive on verses like this, they can be led astray if we don't help them discover the correct answer to questions like this. 

We know the vast majority of people come to Christ while they are children. We must focus our outreach to children while we have the opportunity. 

Here are two apologetics teaching series that I have produced.  These are designed for children.  They can be used on Sunday morning or as mid-week Bible study series. 

You can click on the images below to see sample curriculum, teaching videos, large group teaching, small groups and more. 

We have a big job ahead of us.  The cute little answers we have provided for kids in the past will not work with today's kids.  We must dive deeper and teach them the why or they will grow up without a solid Biblical framework to live by. 

There is a church building that is for sale down the street from my house. Weeds and vines have grown over from years of no maintenance being done.  The roof needs repairing.  The windows are boarded up.  The grass is overgrown with tall weeds.

When I drive past it, I often wonder what happened?  I imagine at one time it was a thriving, growing ministry.  The laughter and giggles of children echoed through the building.  Young parents conversed with each other.  You could hear the sweet sound of babies in the nursery. 

But gradually...over the years, the congregation begin to age.  The young families turned into middle-age families.  Their children grew up and went off to college.  Their children grew up and began to drop out of church.  

The "for sale" sign is there for one reason.  They didn't effectively pass along their faith to the next generation.  Many churches are headed for permanent retirement. They’ve failed to pass on the faith baton effectively. They felt hanging onto their songs that were written in 1921 was more important than engaging the next generation in worship. They weren’t willing to invest in children’s ministry, which could have attracted young families. They didn’t give the next generation the opportunity to lead and give input into the future of the church. They didn’t have a vision that was compelling enough to engage the next generation.

Passing on our faith to the next generation is a big deal in Scripture. Verse after verse addresses the importance of sharing our faith, by words and actions, with the next generation.

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.”
Psalm 78:4

Why must we be so intentional about passing on our faith?  If we do not pass on the faith, we will lose the generation coming behind us.

Churches that have a future always have a deep investment in the next generation. They care more about reaching the next generation than they do about their personal preferences, worship styles and current status.

Eventually, they will have to close their church doors and put a for sale sign out front.

If a church is serious about their future, they will make next generation ministry a PRIORITY.

If a church wants to reach the next generation, they will PRAY for God to help them reach out and share the Gospel with young families.

If a church wants to impact the next generation, they will have their best volunteer PEOPLE serving in children’s ministry.

If a church wants to see their children’s ministry flourish, they will provide the necessary PROGRAM FUNDING.

If a church wants to show parents they care about children, they will have an excellent PHYSICAL SPACE for children.

If a church makes children’s ministry a priority, it will be very high PROFILE.

Here are some steps you can take to pass along the faith to the next generation. 

Build relationships with them. Young adults respond best to leadership that is grounded in relationship. Yes, they love coffee. Why?  Because coffee represents more than having coffee. It represents building a relationship through talking with another person.

Mentor them.  They want to be invested in by older leaders. Any church that is willing to reach out and invite the next generation of leaders to the table, can grow their church now and in the future. But churches that are afraid to leave their comfort zone and set aside their own preferences will not live beyond their current members’ life span.  I want to encourage you to do this - the next time you are at church, take a look around. How much gray hair do you see? Is the gray balanced with the edgy hair styles of youth as well?  I pray you will be passionate about reaching the next generation.                                    

Hold your “style of ministry” with open hands. Be willing to change. Be willing to adjust...even when the changes are not your preferences. The spiritual future of the next generation is depending on it. 

In my new book "Fertile Soil...see Kids' Faith Grow and Flourish for a Lifetime" I share how to create a church environment where children and young families can spiritually thrive and serve Jesus for a lifetime. 

You can get my new book at this link.  It's a must read if you want to reach the next generation and see them discipled and leading now and in the future.

My prayer is that it has been a source of encouragement, edification and challenges.

We can't afford to rest on our laurels.  The importance of children's ministry has never been more vital than where we find ourselves today.  Your ministry is so important and you are vitally important as a children's ministry leader.

Here is a recap for the year.  These are the 10 most read articles of 2021. If you haven't read some of them, check them out.

Excited about the new year and the continued opportunity for us to learn and grow together.  May the coming year find us full of anticipation, prayers and vision.   

As always, your comments, insight and feedback are very valuable.  Feel free to share with me in the comment section.

Believing with you that 2022 will be your best ministry year ever.  

You can click on the images below to read these popular articles of 2021.

 

 

A new survey has revealed that only 60% of "born again Christians" believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven.

The survey shows that many "Christ-Followers" believe that Muhammad, Buddha and Jesus all taught valid ways to God. 

Somewhere along the way we have neglected to teach people what scripture makes very clear.  

"There is salvation in no one else!  God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”        Acts 4:12

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."  1 Timothy 2:5

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."  John 3:36

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

This is such a critical time in the life of believers.  We must help the next generation understand and embrace the exclusivity of Christ.  If we neglect to do this, the next generation will surely fall into the trap of pluralism as well. 

Listen children's ministry leader...please...please...please teach this doctrine to the children and students that God has placed in your life.  Parents....please...please...please teach your children the truth about Jesus.

Are you teaching kids doctrine?  Are you teaching kids apologetics?  Are you teaching kids that the Bible is true?  Are you teaching them the claims made by Jesus? 

The next generation is being bombarded by the evil one who so desperately wants to turn them from the truth.  We must step into the gap for them.  Every Sunday service matters.  Every Bible study matters.  Every small group matters.  Every Wednesday night discipleship session matters.  Every Gospel related event matters.  

And you matter.  God has placed you in the life of children.  Children who are being raised in a society that is pulling them away from God and the truth of His Word. 

Unless things change dramatically, the next generation will fall into the trap of pluralism like so many other believers have done.  

Parents and children's ministry leaders will pass down what they believe. And if the stats line up, a large percentage of the next generation will accept pluralism.  

What can we do to stem the tide?

Teach children doctrine.  

Teach children that Jesus is not a way, but the way to eternal life. 

Teach parents that Jesus is the only way and then equip them to pass this down to their children.

Please take this seriously.  So much is at stake. 

If you need resources for this check out these 2 teaching series:

Pranksters. Equips children to not be fooled by false doctrine and shows that Jesus is the only way.

Road Trip. Helps kids see that Jesus is the only road to eternal life. 

Will the next generation believe the truth about Jesus and His claims?  They can if you and I will teach them in the power of the Spirit and the power of God's Word.

If you've read my last few articles, you will see that I am immersing myself in all things Gen Alpha. 

Gen Alpha is the latest generation and includes children born between 2010 - 2025.

As with most generations, Gen Alpha has unique characteristics and world views.

One of the most disturbing findings is Gen Alpha's digression of faith. Studies show that for Gen Alpha religion is a big no-no and is going out the door. 

We don't have a complete picture yet of what religious faith will look like for Gen Alpha.  But what we do know indicates that they want nothing to do with "religion."

Their predecessor, Gen Z, has already walked out the door in many cases. We see this revealed in this finding - 13% of Gen Z are atheists.  That's double the number of adult atheists. We've been on this slide out of religion for several generations.  And with each new generation, the % of unbelievers grows in number.

Gen Alpha consists of the children of the Millennials.  This is another reason the slide is quickening.  Their parents, the Millennials, are leaving "religion" and not coming back.  4 out of 10 Millennials now say they are "nones."  Nones refers to people who have no religious affiliation.  As Gen Alpha watches their "none" parents walk away from church, they are following suite.  

Another reason Gen Alpha is walking out the door is because they have wrong priorities (learned from their parents).  Sunday, which used to be a sacred day that was set apart to worship God, is now a day filled with sports, entertainment and other festivities.  There is simply no room or time for religion.  

The truth is we are in a battle to capture the hearts and minds of Gen Alpha.  While their hearts are young and tender, we must reach them with the Gospel.  If we don't, they will continue to walk out the door at a rapid pace.

God's plan is for local churches to reach children and parents with the Gospel.  This also includes organizations like Child Evangelism Fellowship, Compassion International, One Hope, Awana and more. We are to go to the children of the world and share God's plan of salvation.  

Will there continue to be a mass exit from the church?  The truth is unless we turn things around - yes.  But here's the good news. As we share the Gospel with God's anointing on our lives, we can see Gen Alpha reached for Christ and going on to serve Him for life. 

Will you join us on this venture?  Will you faithfully proclaim the Gospel?  Will you pray that God will draw the next generation to Himself?  Will you disciple those you reach so they in turn can reach others?

Pause for a moment and ponder the quote from the famous Christian leader D.L. Moody.  He reached over a million people for Christ.  But at the end of his life he made this remarkable statement. 

If I had my life to live over, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children with the Gospel.

May we make following Jesus so appealing that kids will lose the desire to walk out the door.  May they find walking with Jesus so joyous that they forget about walking away.  Let's close the door before we lose Gen Alpha. 

The next generation is rising quickly.  They are becoming known as Gen Alpha. They are kids born between 2010-2025.  

They will significantly add to their ranks in the next 3-4 years.

They are on the way to reaching 2 billion members strong across the world. Every week, 2.5 million new members are born worldwide.  Within four years, they will out number the Baby Boomers. 

They will enjoy a longer life span than previous generations in modern times.  Some of them will live to see the 22nd century.

Like generations before them, they have unique opportunities to change the world that waits before them.  Even at a young age, they are already influencing their parents' decisions through the social media landscape, brand influences and purchasing power.

Here are some interesting observations that will help you understand more about Gen Alpha.  Much of this information comes from Mark McCrindle who is a TEDx speaker, demographer and futurist.  He coined the term "Gen Alpha."

• They are the most technological generation ever. We watched the items below being invented.  For Gen Alpha, they will never remember not having these things.
  

The first gay Captain America is set to arrive in comic books in June. 

This Captain America will be "Captain America of the Railways."  His mission is to protect runaways and homeless youth.  

This Captain America will be openly gay.  The comic book that features him will be published during Pride Month.  

Why is a gay character being brought into comic books?  The obvious answer is this.  Those perpetuating a LGBTQ agenda are targeting the next generation with their message.  They want coming generations to see the gay lifestyle as normal and acceptable...even to the point of celebrating it.  Hence the pride month release.

Today's kids are growing up in a culture that promotes and celebrates the very things that God says are wrong and go against His Word. When it comes to relationships that God blesses and approves of, our nation has been sliding downward for years now.  As a society, we have reached the point where we are calling good evil and evil good.

What should we do?  

How can we protect our children from the tide of immorality that is flowing their way?

How can we equip students to know what God's Word says about this subject?  

How can we help parents have healthy conversations about this with their children?

As church leaders, it is not appropriate to have these conversations with the children in our ministry. That is dad and mom's job.  Our role is to equip parents with the resources and information they need to lead their children through this. 

In today's culture, it is very hard to keep kids completely in the dark about such matters.  With social media and so many news outlets, it is nearly impossible. 

And to be honest,  I don't believe we should keep our children totally in the dark about this.  We must (age-appropriately) equip them to know what God's Word says and how it applies to our lives today. 

We must help the next generation build a strong foundation that will help them withstand the tide of immorality that is heading their way.  If we do not, the next generation will be swept away and immersed in a culture that pushes aside God's Word so their own lusts can be pursued.  

Parents must teach their children to love all people and share with them that Jesus offers grace, mercy and forgiveness.  Parents must teach their children to share with grace and truth.  It takes both to reach people. 

We must remember, as followers of Christ, that we are in this world, but we are not of this world.  We march to the sound of a different drummer.  We get our marching orders from our Lord and Savior.

Taking a stand against immorality is not because we hate anyone. It's because we are following God's way of living.  We must shout the good news of the Gospel from the mountain tops.  

If we don't, who will? 

If we don't equip parents in these matters, who will? 

If we don't show people what God's Word says about this, who will?

If we don't reach the next generation and disciple them, who will?

I am reminded of what Ephesians 6:13 says...

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

We must equip parents to disciple their children.  We must prepare them, so they can help their children stand their ground in God's Word. 

Gen Z (ages 8 to 23)  and Gen Alpha (ages 7 and below) are being shaped by the continuation of Covid-19. 

Let's look at some key areas where the virus continues to influence and change their way of life.

Relationships. Kids are missing their friends, but are keeping in touch through...

• phone calls (38%)