What? You aren't in a youth group? No Activities?

Those were the questions that were given to us, during our time in Indiana, while visiting with family. I know that it is different and they don't understand "why" on earth we wouldn't have the desire to have our children in a church youth group. Well, I am so overflooded with thoughts, so I thought I would put them down here. First let me start off with a statistic.

(From the SBC) 78-88% of children that go through the youth group, do NOT return to church.

Do you know "why" the youth group was formed for in the first place? It was created for those children that were left fatherless and for children, who either were in a divorced home or the father wasn't saved or the father wasn't the Spiritual leader of the home. It basically provided that Male Role figure in the lives of children who were lacking that influence.

When my husband and I were praying about this decision, regardless if we were in a "family-integrated church" or not, we talked and prayed about it. We felt like the youth group wasn't a place for our family. Not because we are better than anyone else, but we are a Christian family, who does have a husband that is the spiritual leader in the home, and why would we want to replace that??

Also, when we looked to God's word for foundation on this, all we could find were scriputres , after scriputres that talk about "Fathers Teach your sons, when you rise and when you walk" and giving direction to parents. NO WHERE does it refer to the Youth leaders or Sunday School leaders to fill that. Another words, we do not feel it is the responsibililty of anyone else to impart direction and spiritual truth to our children, except us (and our pastor, of course). The Lord gave US our children and they are HIS, Not a Youth Leaders or a Sunday School Teachers.

Now, on the issue of Sunday School. Did you know that why Sunday School was developed in the first place? It was developed to teach Gypsy children how to read, and they used the Bible!!!

I, in particular, get really frustrated, when I see churches "overusing" the Bible verse from Proverbs that says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Why do I get frustrated? Because this Bible verse, in its entirety is directed at PARENTS, not anyone else. And on that subject, when we get to heaven, we don't have to answer to anyone else, about how our children are raised except for our Heavenly Father himself.

Another reason that we have no desire to allow our children into a youth group setting, is that my husband and I were raised in one, so this is coming from experience. The messages are "watered down and not applicable". Again, not saying that our children are above them, but for the most part they are talking about issues in a school setting and from a broken home, so those don't apply. Also, boys and girls are allowed to "pair up" without the father's permission. (that goes into courtship, a whole other subject). We firmly believe that my husband is a spiritual leader and head of our home and until the umbrella of protection is lifted, when they are grown, then they don't need to do anything without their father's permission.

Another reason, is that children are going to a youth group to be "socialized (grr that word drives me nuts! Not all socialization is "good") and entertainment". You will see that the Youth group keeps "changing with the world". You know we take God's world very seriously, and we adhere to everything in it. That is why we choose to be "in" the world, but just not "of" the world. You notice the music, is like a "rock concert" and then when they come up to the main service with adults, they are expected to "gasp" be quiet, and listen to music that is slower and honors the Lord, instead of man. (another subject too).

I need to get started for the day, but my heart has just been extrememly heavy and that is why I had to come here and unload my thoughts and my heart. Have a blessed day.

Southern Belle