These are the pre-teens! They are approaching the magical age when they think about driving cars, going to parties, dating, drinking, voting... oh wait not yet! 

They think they are ready for so many things.  Parents like me want to grab our kids and take them to Antarctica to escape the scary things that happen at this age. As Christian parents, we are preparing our children to survive in the world. They must learn to make their own choices with the direction given from God's Word and time in prayer. If a strong biblical foundation has not yet been laid for our children, then we are behind schedule and need to catch up.

Don't send your children out into the world without knowing how to survive with God's direction and help! It sounds radical, but in the end, it is better to teach your children to grow the fruit of the Spirit in their lives-love, joy, peace, patience-then to learn to read and write. This may seem like a strong statement and a naïve one, but it is more important to consider how your child will face the Creator at the end of his or her life than how he or she will face some biology professor in college.

It's a tough world out there and there are giants to face. How will your children do?

 "A wise man built his house upon a rock, and the storms beat upon that house but it did not fall." Matthew 7:24

Children in today's world are faced constantly with influences that tempt them away from the Lord, the church, and the home. Many schools seem to be breeding grounds for discontent with both the home and the church, and children are often urged to believe that any life-style is valid, proper, and acceptable. These influences are especially confusing to children as they approach teen years.

 Religion and religious values are seldom if ever taught in public schools. However, children are fed the religion of secular humanism which leads them to believe that people are supreme and do not need God.

Are your kids ready for what they will face, or are they blind to the dangers that face the unsuspecting Christian?

 Schools have the children for at least six hours per day, five days per week, while the church and Christian education programs have them only one or two hours. The imbalance is astounding! In addition, while churches rely on volunteers to do the work of Christian education, schools have professionally trained teachers.

 Children may be pressured to become involved in activities that are against Christian principles. Though they have always had to make decisions, today's children are faced with increased pressures.

 The church must offer positive Christian principles and teaching that will help children know the difference between right and wrong and then stand up for the right. Both teachers and parents must do all they can to reach children for the glory of God and to help them face life with Jesus Christ.

Who We Teach:
Physically: These kids are growing like crazy. Some will experience rapid growth spurts, while others will feel clumsy and awkward. Some will crave sleep while others will crave food.
 
Emotionally: These marvelous creations of God will have dramatic mood swings. They're literally bombarded with hormonal changes as the onset of puberty releases a flood of hormones into their bodies.

Some will seem to have little if any control of their emotions. These kids can often be angry and quick-tempered. This anger comes from a variety of sources, including fatigue and feelings of inadequacy, rejection, or uncertainty. Preteens are often fearful and threatened by competition.

Socially: At this age the kids start breaking away from the influence of the family and turning their trust to their peers. This is why the spiritual training of the earlier years is so important.

Parent's Hope 
"For I know him (Abraham), that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him." Genesis 18:19

God invested into the life of Abraham. One thing that stood out about him was that he would teach his children about the Lord. This brought blessings to him and will also bring blessings to us.

I trust it is your hope that your children "turn out well". We must put our children into the loving care of the Almighty. One of the many titles of God I really like is one found in Isaiah. God is called "the One who inhabits eternity."   He is before all things and when all things are done He will be there as well. We can trust our children to Him. Learn the ways of the Almighty and teach your children to do the same and you will be blessed.
 If you are not sure how to teach your children, I invite you to come and join our volunteer teaching team. You can learn and train from experienced volunteers. You can learn some valuable life skills that will help you strengthen your faith, the faith of your children and also help in building a strong foundation for the church, the Bride of Christ.
doug.drake@maranathachapel.org