Train Up A Child

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV).

The Barna Group has a research on the "Long-Term Effect of Spiritual Activity Among Children and Teens," read the article here. Basically, what happens in the long run to children and teens that participate in spiritual activities? Barna Group president David Kinnaman said, "the odds of one sticking with faith over a lifetime are enhanced in a positive direction by spiritual activity under the age of 18."

We could have told you that, since, well, the Bible told us that. But we love the work the Barna Group does because they give up more insight and percentages and analysis and more.

Still, we see it in our own church and we're sure you see it in yours. The chances of an adult attending church rises if he/she attended church as a child and a teen. And the more they are involved in church activities as their young age, the more likely they will be involved as they are older. We have kidmin volunteers today who were kidmin kids since they were born.

The responsibility weighs heavy then, not just on kidmin or stumin folks, but with the parents and adults today. As it is said, "It takes a village to raise a child," we believe that it takes a whole body (of Christ) to nurture our children's spiritual lives. It is not just the efforts of Sunday School teachers or youth leaders, but the efforts of parents and adults in the life of a child that will determine his/her spiritual growth.

We then call out a challenge: let's work together.