In our society today there are two things you are never supposed to talk about in polite conversation – religion and politics. We’ve been told so many times that talking about our faith is taboo that it’s often difficult for us to honestly share what God is doing in our lives even in the safety of our home and our church. And yet, we have to talk about it. The reason for those scary numbers of young people walking away from the church is that they don’t really know what they believe or why they believe it. They graduate, leave home, encounter people who challenge their faith, and everything they have ever believed is taken out with one blow. We need to make sure our kids know exactly what we stand for and why. We must make sure that this body of believers provides fertile ground for the seeds of faith God plants in us and in our children to grow strong with deep roots that aren’t blown away in a breeze. But it is overwhelming to think about really teaching all that we believe. The author of one of my husband's seminary textbooks suggests a good starting place. David deSilva writes:
A grateful heart is the source of evangelism and witness, which is perhaps most efficiently done as we simply and honestly give God public praise for the gifts and help we have received from God. Perhaps some shrink from evangelism because they think they need to work the hearer through Romans…Begin by speaking openly, rather, about the favor God has shown you, the positive difference God’s gifts have made in your life: tell other people facing great need about the One who supplies every need generously (143)
Our faith is not primarily taught in a pew on Sunday morning or even in a Sunday School classroom. The lessons I learned about God as a child were taught in informal conversations while going for drives with my Grandpa, watching my Grandma work hard to give gifts to those in need and witnessing my grandparents smile and reassure the people that gathered for their loved-ones funerals, telling them how excited they were that the person they loved was with Jesus. Moments like these speak volumes to our kids.
To Be Continued...
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