Theme: The Process and Purpose of Christian Education
Psalm
78:1-8 Give ear, O my people, to my instruction. Turn your ear to the words of
my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth to share a lesson. I will speak about puzzling
problems from long ago, 3 things we have heard and known, things our fathers
have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their descendants. We will tell the
next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders
that he has done. 5 He set up testimony for Jacob. In Israel he established the
law. He commanded our fathers to make it known to their children. 6 Then the
next generation would know it, even the children not yet born. They would rise
up and tell their children. 7 Then they would put their confidence in God, and
they would not forget the deeds of God, but they would keep his commands. 8
Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn, rebellious generation, a
generation that did not keep their hearts steadfast, whose spirits were not
faithful to God.
I
was shocked a few weeks ago to get to my office in the morning and find an
unexpected surprise outside the door. It wasn’t a package. No animal milling
about the property either. Thankfully, no spray paint, either. No, my surprise
was this – a new yellow pages. Remember these? I was surprised because it had
been so long since I actually used one – there was a moment of shock at the
prospect that they’re still distributed.
In
our lives, Google has taken over the job of the yellow pages. Both, however,
really serve the same purpose. They are information directories when you need a
specific type of service. Whereas today you simply type your question into the
search engine, or speak a command into your phone’s mic, the old school yellow
pages involve looking up the service alphabetically. I chuckled a bit that, in
a last ditch attempt at relevancy, this edition came with the sub-title, “The
Original Search Engine.” For some of you, the yellow pages are still to go to
resource, but that’s probably changed for many in the last decade.
Whether
it’s Google or the yellow pages, we rely on information directories because
there’s a multitude of needs that arise in life. Most have to do with some type
of skill or service offered. So, I can search for contractors, engineers,
insurance providers, restaurants, and the list goes on and on. Within each
service there are two components – Process and Purpose. Got a clogged bathroom
sink? A plumber knows the right process to fix it and how to do so in a way
that keeps the purpose of the sink intact. Got a stuck garage door? Certain
businesses specialize in the appropriate process to fix it and get it
performing its original purpose again. When we call on the help of others it’s
often because we lack the ability or knowledge about the process or
purpose of our need.
There’s
a process and purpose to the theme of our study today as well – Christian
Education. God says that He calls on you to help you in this task. Sometimes
we’re a bit put off by the thought of training others in the faith. We may be
overconfident and minimize the plethora of teachings and instruction that the Lord
gives us in His Word – just because we don’t want to take the time to cover
everything. Or, sometimes we’re intimidated. You might be tempted to think that
the reason you have a pastor is because he’s the professional, and you aren’t
qualified to do what he can. For these reasons, and many more, there’s a
tendency to contract out the duties of sharing Christ. But when it comes to
training and teaching in the faith – God points directly at you, and says you
are responsible. Parents, you are responsible for your children. Church
members, you are responsible for one another – especially new converts, the
young, and the weak in faith. And each person is responsible for what he or she
believes. Looking at the process and purpose of Christian education helps us
embrace the calling that the Lord gives.
Now
when we speak about process, it’s not an insinuation that Christian Education
is just a matter of following steps that you check off along the way. Instead,
we’re talking about the method behind it – essentially what makes it work.
God
tells us what makes sharing and learning His Word work and it starts with
commitment. You can’t wait around for your schedule to open up in order to
strengthen your faith. You have set time aside. You have to be willing to stop
the inward desire to be entertained and prepare yourself to listen. So the
first verse says, Give ear, O my people, to my instruction. Turn your ear to
the words of my mouth.
As
we well know, Christian education is not always an easy process. Our psalm
talks about “puzzling problems” and truths that are unknown by nature. That’s
part of the process, we’re dealing with wisdom from God – truth that goes above
what we can rationally handle in our minds. Christian Education does not come
down to who knows the most or who can explain it the best. Ultimately, it’s a
matter of faith – as is anything dealing with God. And this difficulty is more
acute the older one gets.
In
these two ways, Christian Education is quite an ordinary task. It doesn’t seem
like anything earth shattering. The process is to listen and to trust God by
faith. We might naturally think of this process taking place at church.
Certainly, we have the goal that you would hear God’s Word, learn and be
encouraged by it, and grow in your faith. But, as strange as it sounds, church
is not the primary place for Christian Education. It should be in your home. If
you’re only centering around God’s Word at church, that’s a clue that your
spiritual life is not properly balanced. Everything contained in this psalm is
directed at the Christian family, and parents are to lead the way.
Sometimes,
we don’t understand why Christian Education seems to fail us. Kids grow up
attending church each weekend, some are even raised in a Christian school.
Parents invest money, time, resources to prioritize Christian education. And
the young person eventually leaves it all behind. Why? How can this happen when
God promises to accomplish His purpose when His Word is shared? The answer
often lies within the home.
Parents
need to lead the way in training, teaching, and setting the example of what it
means to be a follower of Christ. Part of this is certainly establishing a
habit of going to church and pursuing Christian education when possible, but it
is only one part. The psalm explains: We will not hide them from their
descendants. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders that he has done. 5 He set up testimony for Jacob.
In Israel he established the law. He commanded our fathers to make it known to
their children. 6 Then the next generation would know it, even the children not
yet born. They would rise up and tell their children.
Too
often, we make time with God for an hour each week, but then it’s the wild west
the rest of the week. Too often, we defend the virtues of the Christian faith
that align with what’s popular in our culture, or in our personal lives, while
keeping the rest of God’s truth out of sight. And too often, we preach a lot as
parents and role models, but we act in ways that betrays the piety of our
words. Kids take notice of all of these things. Just as you can’t fool God
about your faith, so often you can’t fool a child either. They will see you for
what you are and for what you believe.
So,
God tells you the process as Christian parents, role models, and leaders is to
take charge! Stand for all of His truth boldly. Declare the wonders He has
done, even if it’s beyond the human scope of understanding. Praise Him in all
your thoughts, words, and actions – even if you think no one else is noticing.
Consider not just where you’re at in life right now, but what the next
generation, and even the children yet unborn, will have when you’re gone.
The
process is simple – give them what God gives them. As Paul told Timothy – Preach
the Word, be ready in every situation – convince, persuade, rebuke, and
encourage. That is your job – your privilege – as adult Christians, and our
church (whether Redemption or the Church at large) desperately needs you to
step up and do your job.
Because
through every process there is a purpose. Nothing you do in the name of Christ
and through His Word is done as a means to an end itself – but there is always
a greater purpose. So our text describes, Then they would put their
confidence in God, and they would not forget the deeds of God, but they would
keep his commands. 8 Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn,
rebellious generation, a generation that did not keep their hearts steadfast,
whose spirits were not faithful to God.
It’s
interesting that each time the Bible offers a law or a rebuke in something, you
can inherently see in it the correct thing to do. So the text ends with a dire
warning, but through it we also see what we should strive for. That we would be
patient, obedient, a generation whose hearts are steadfast, whose spirits are
faithful to God.
Why
is that so hard to achieve? Why does it seem rare in our families and in our
churches? The quick answer, as it is with any malady in the Bible is sin. A
complete and utter fall from God’s righteousness is certainly going to come
with its accompanying attitudes, habits, and beliefs. Could it be that despite
an outward appearance of optimism and human spirit – we’ve become cynical in
our faith? Could it be that we’ve doubted God’s promises for so long, that it’s
become so common in our lives, that our children are conditioned to do the
same? Could it be that we’ve spent so much time looking for help in other areas
of life that we’ve neglected the simple faith we were baptized into? These are
the ways that sin affects the overall purpose of Christian education.
But
at the very same time, the power and mercy of God remains effective. His Word beckons
you to listen to it day after day. Peace from the evils of sin is present just
as much as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the LORD'S
mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new
every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
It’s
never too late to start the process of Christian Education, for the purpose of
enriching lives around you with the blessings that only Christ can give. Within
His promises of the gospel are the very renewing gifts we need when reflecting
on past moments of failure, apathy, or neglect. What we share to others,
including our children, is simply the very thing Christ has done for us. If you
feel guilt over not setting the example God calls you to – don’t despair – His
mercy is new for you each day. It’s never too late to start fresh. But it can’t
just on Sunday, and it can’t just be in talk. We need Him in our homes, at the
dinner table, when you get back from work. We need Christ when we’re struggling
with homework or we’re planning a vacation. We need Him when we struggle with
addiction or absue. We need Him to be our Teacher, our King, and our Advocate.
We need Him when we’re depressed or lonely, or when we hit the cruelty of this
sinful world head on. Most of those things, and countless other situations,
will be at the doorstep of your heart when you’re NOT at church. That’s why
you need to take the initiative at home. Do not hide that hope of Christ from
one another. Do not keep it from your children. Do not give up the process of
Christian Education – because ultimately the purpose is for eternity.
Sometimes,
we should sit back and ask ourselves – do I believe in eternity? It’s a simple
question isn’t it? Of course. But, you didn’t get to the point of believing
eternity because you figured it out or because it made sense in your head. It
was faith in Jesus that led you to trust that heaven is my home. That’s the
purpose of Christian education.
How
could we want anything more for our kids? We ask ourselves if we believe in
eternity because so much of what we’re concerned about has nothing to do with
it. We want our kids to have good grades, to be successful people, to have
enduring relationships, to establish a family of their own. But what about
heaven? Do we even believe it anymore? If you, like me, feel shamed and
convicted at a lack of priority toward my children. If the words of our text
sting in your ears a bit when you read them – take comfort. It is never too
late to share the profound grace of Christ that you have found in God’s Word.
You can quit hiding it from others today. You can stop tailoring your messages
of God and spiritual to your children. Give them what God gives them – give it
all. And we might just be surprised at what results. Then the next
generation would know it, even the children not yet born. They would rise up
and tell their children. 7 Then they would put their confidence in God, and
they would not forget the deeds of God, but they would keep his commands.
Amen.
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