As you can see, it has been a couple of weeks since I did a blog post, and I apologize for this. It has been an extremely hectic couple of weeks. As I sat to type, I've had the subject of the need for strong Doctrinal preaching and teaching on my heart.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
We are now reaping the harvest of a crop that's been sown in the Church over the last 20 years, which has said essentially, "Let's not focus on doctrine; let's focus on Jesus." With ecumenical fervor, they have propagated this doctine-less gospel in an effort to get along with other denominations and now yes other religions. The fatal flaw with this is that it has produced a generation which knows not the Lord nor what they believe about the Lord.
According to the latest Barna research, 61% of those who grow up in the church are leaving in their 20's NEVER to return. Many of them have abandoned the faith altogether. Most of them started having questions in Middle School and High School, and those questions, which were left unanswered, led them away from God and away from His Church. For many, it was questions about the age of the earth and origin of man. We must not only teach that God's Word is true but be prepared to show why! Darwin said, when commenting on the missing links which he knew was the major stumbling block of his theory, "While the evidence isn't there as yet, I have faith that they will be discovered." Could it be that Evolution is just another religious theory that must be accepted by faith!?! Could it also be that they have been more convincing, more passionate, and yes, more evangelistic in their faith than the Church has been in theirs!?! I think the results are obvious!
It does matter what we are teaching. We must always be ready with an answer for those who have questions. We must teach boldly the next generation a confident gospel based on man's relation to His Creator. We can't leave the educating of our children solely to the school system. We must study and have an answer from God's Word, to sure up the faith in the young people. If not, statistics show they will leave, and most who leave NEVER return.
2 comments:
Right now in our church I am preaching on the fundamental doctrines we as Southern Baptists beilive, and why we beilive it. I am also going through the 12 chapter of Romans to talk about what we as christians should look like how we should act. I think it is nessisary to take some time to discuss the doctrines we hold to and why we hold them...
I do wonder how can we preach apologetics in a way that is interesting and keeps the peoples attention, not going over there head, and still getting enough info out there to make sure that our students are well equiped to combat the evilotion of our day.
If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
I started a series on Sunday Night's last week on "Why Doctrine Matters." It is a basic Apologetics course without them knowing it, although they will now after they read this! LOL!
Braxton Hunter's book, Blinding Lights, is a good book that puts apologetics in layman's terms. I have been reading it as well as Ken Ham's (of Answers in Genesis) book, Already Gone . Ken Ham's book comes with a DVD presentation and CD with power point slides on it to help illustrate. I have been using some of his material and the power point slides as well.
Last week was "Why the Origin of Species Matters." This week is going to be "Why Noah's Ark Matters." He brings out the point that too often we've divorced the stories of the Bible from their application to every day life. This has led to a generation growing up thinking that these "stories" are just fairy tales like Greek Mythology. Furthermore, we've had no answer for the evolution being taught in our Public School system, so kids in Jr. High and High School are beginning to question the Bible and by the time they're in their 20's they leave the church never to return. Most are "Already Gone" before they get to college, b/c we haven't taken seriously the mandate of 1 Peter 3:15 to "always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies in you."
Those that were there Sunday night seemed to be interested, and I think it's going to be a great study. Hope this helps!
Post a Comment