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“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
There are so many voices in our world that children and youth are exposed to. Voices from friends, social media, news sources, family. Some of these voices are uplifting and encouraging, yet many spread a message of division, hate and hopelessness. These are the voices that shape the identity, values and beliefs of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, if we let them.
As followers of Jesus, this is a battle we are called to fight! The message of the Gospel is a message of radical hospitality, life-changing hope and transformational grace. It’s a voice calling out in the wilderness, a light shining in the darkness. For parents and guardians of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the encouragement is that you are not alone in being this voice… it is the call of the intergenerational church to come alongside you and your children, training you up and empowering you to train your children. It’s a difficult battle to choose, but the result is one that will create confident, hopeful, loving followers of Jesus for life.
One way we do this as a church is through worshipping together. Our elementary children stay in the sanctuary for foundational elements of worship – lifting the name of the Lord in sung praise, confessing sins, receiving forgiveness, greeting each other with Christian love. As our youngest disciples experience these rhythms, they experience the commandment to love God and love your neighbor, and the message that they are so loved.
Recently we’ve invited our middle school students to stay in worship for it’s entirety. Developmentally, this is a great stepping stone toward adulthood. Spiritually, this is an opportunity for families to hear the Word of God together and to begin implementing God’s voice into your family life together. One tool we are trying out is a “sermon note card” with boxes for youth (and adults) to reflect on what the sermon is saying about God, humanity and our life today. Grab one (or more!) in the Gathering Area by the bulletins!
One practical step this week to changing the narratives in your child’s life is to talk about the promises you heard together in worship. For elementary, listen to the songs that were sung Sunday in the car throughout the week. Sing them at bedtime. Remind your child when they make a mistake that they are forgiven and loved. For middle school and high school students, talk about what they heard in the sermon. Ask what it told them about God or themselves. Tape up the “One thing I can apply to my week” on the mirror in the bathroom and check in with each other throughout the week.
The days are long but the years are short. The battles are hard but the war has already been won. You are not alone… the CPC community is here to walk with you as you make the journey of faith, shaping the narrative of your child’s life and empowering them to follow Jesus in all they do.
Sarah Tunall
Director of Youth Ministries
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