Context is Everything

Earlier this week I had the privilege of interviewing author and speaker Josh McDowell for an upcoming article on his new book, Evidence for the Resurrection. Along with this apologetic for adult readers, he and his coauthor son, Sean, produced and released two accompanying books for younger readers: Jesus: Dead or Alive (for teens), and Jesus is Alive! (for children).

A fun perk of interviewing and reviewing is the free books. This time I got three for one. The children’s book intrigued me most, since my children are all 8 years and younger. I asked Josh about the process they used to communicate heavy theology to such a young crowd.

He answered, “You’d be surprised at what a 5- or 6-year-old can understand. Especially when it comes from the parents, a child can grasp a lot.” For teens, relationships are key. He informed me that it used to be that when a child reached the age of 12, only 20% were likely to become Christians afterward. Now, if a child reaches the age of 12 without believing in Christ, only 4% are likely to do so later in life. Time is short for parents who want to influence their children for the Lord.

McDowell stated, “Teens today want not just substance and not just relationship. They want substance in the context of relationships.” In other words, truth without relationship isn’t good enough. It leads to rejection of the truth. Well-intentioned parents who teach morals and Bible stories will only have as much effect as their relationship with the child is deep.

I hung up with McDowell with a sense of urgency. 12 years old? I still have time with my kids, but not as much as I thought I did. If they are to embrace the truth I’ve given my life to, more than mere teaching or preaching or bashing them over the head with a Bible is going to suffice. They’ll need me loving them, supporting them, listening to and laughing with and crying with and disciplining rationally–they’ll need to know I’m their biggest fan. It may sound obvious. Isn’t that what all parents do? Well, no. And those that do, may not know how to develop a deep relationship with their child.

 Christian parents are concerned with their children’s salvation in addition to all the other aspects of their lives. Part of wanting the best for them includes this glorious truth about Jesus–that He is God, and He defeated death and paid for their sins and mine on the cross, and that He loves them completely. But our platform with our kids depends on our relationships with them. Just telling them the Truth isn’t enough. We have to live it, and invite them into it.

 I’d love to hear from you parents with grown children, or grown children who remember their youth, and those like me with kids at home still. How did your parents establish a strong relationship with you? If you grew up in a house of faith, what practices did your parents model that drew you to the Lord? What have you learned and implemented in your own family now?