Conversations
A 5 Part Series on Church and Home
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The Message of Salvation to All
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:1-17
As I continue to write for Becoming (Child)wise, I’m reminded of a question that baffled me–it came from a history teacher. We taught the same 9th grade classes, except I was the English literature counterpart. She asked me, “why can’t these kids write essays? How are they doing in your class?”
My immediate reaction was to take it personally, but she came to me concerned and genuinely wanting to help our class. While a few children were struggling writers and we worked at a low performing school, I knew I had taught them pre-writing, drafting, and editing skills. They had been progressing well, but the students were not taking what they learned from writing in English and then again applying it in History. Our freshman novice writers needed to explicitly hear that they could and should use what they were learning in English in History also. We needed to be intentional in formatting our essay questions/prompts the same way and intentional in partnering together so that there would be a bridge to our two classes where we both discussed what the other was teaching. And so the connection between this story and Becoming (Child)wise is this: it’s true, Children’s ministries are so important, church community is important, but it’s not enough. Parents and church should be partnering together to disciple children. The Gospel message from both should be the same and kids should be able to take what they learned from the Gospel at church and the should be discipled on how to live it out in their homes and their lives.
So for the next 5 weeks, I will share a bit more about the conversations we can and should be having at home with our children, at church, and how the two should and can partner together to disciple our children. Romans says, “for with the heart one believes and is justified, but with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Of course, this scripture is not implying that salvation comes from any action on our part, but the emphasis is on confession solidifying our faith. Our children have heard the Gospel message again and again, many since they could first speak and understand. How can we partner together to help provide a safe space at home and church to form and disciple them? Is it possible that the Gospel that they are hearing in church and the Gospel they are seen being lived out is not the same? I believe both church and home can do much better in partnership to help our children come to this confession. I believe the key is in our conversations with our spouses, other parents, with our children, and with our churches.
Not that my own home church where I serve has these things in place, but I would like to share some observation, some of my vision, and my prayer in where I’d like us to be in the next 5 years or so in hopes that it will help others in children’s ministry and parents.
What are some questions you’d like to see addressed? What are some concerns you have? What kinds of partnership and communication exists between you and your church that help in discipling your children? Please do share.
Until next time, I’ll save a seat for you at the table.