6..7.. is not enough

 

6-7..

If you have a school age kid, you have been inundated with "6-7." 

What is that?

Long story short, it is part of lyrics from a song that talks about a basketball player whose height is 6'7. So kids just repeat it. When the score of a game is 6-7, you're going to hear the kids shout it. In the classroom while doing math homework, if the answer has 6 and 7 next to each other, you will hear it.

So, who cares? 

I heard the numbers mentioned in an entirely different way. I was listening to a podcast which featured Pastor Jonathan Pokluda. Pokluda is an evangelistic pastor who speaks primarily to the younger generation. He has been in the hospital battling an unknown illness. And he is still speaking the Gospel for those who want to listen. Here's a link to his interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv5v8-QRqjM&pp=ygUlamVzdXMgcGVvcGxlIHBvZGNhc3QgSk9uYXRoYW4gUG9rbHVkYQ%3D%3D

In the podcast, he gave a great example of how to ask someone if they are eternally saved. He said he asked  his doctors and nurses, on a scale from 1-10, how confident are you that you are going to heaven?  Ten would be the completely confident answer.

The common answer is a 5. Or a 6, or 7. Some of them even said they "believe" in Jesus.

 So that means most people who say they believe in Jesus, think they have a 30-50 percent chance of hell. There's no security in their answer.

Truth?

The people are likely not saved if they cannot boldly say "10." Are they headed for hell?

I got to thinking about this as a parent. Are my kids, who I know would say "10," boldly talking to their peers about eternity. Or dotheir peers just know they are the "Christian kids" in the school. We can be a "light" all day long in our actions and be "good people" as Christians. But are we boldly proclaiming Him and SHARING?

Are your kids disciple makers?

Now, this seems like a gutsy blog post, doesn't it? Why on earth would we pressure our kids to pressure other kids?

You may be thinking, "Girl, why you pushing this down my throat? My kids are fine. "

Moms, if we are Christian moms (10 on the certainty scale), we first make sure our kids are saved. That is first and foremost. And if you have a kid who is uncertain or maybe downright defiant about the faith, then that is your focus. Keep pressing into the Word and to God through prayer -- that is your greatest weapon. 

But.

If you have Christian kids who are of that school age I mentioned, the same ones saying "6-7" so often you want to scream, then you need to read this. 

Talk to your kids about bravely talking to their peers. We are in a revival era for Generation Z, in case you have been under a rock the last few months. The death of Charlie Kirk may have been the beginning of that revival, or at least part of it.

So how do we make sure our kids are living out the Great Commission?

First, you have to look with discernment at their influences. I'm not just talking about the friends who need the discipleship, I am talking about the media influences. 

I was just made aware of this animated series, KPop Demon Hunters (https://braveparenting.net/brave-parenting-guide-to-kpop-demon-hunters/). 

Hunting demons is not a good idea for your littles. Not even if it is portrayed as "good versus evil." The devil is sly like that. He will make it look like the motive is innocent. I recommend going to places like Brave Parenting Guide online or Plugged-In from Focus on the Family to double check some of this stuff that is out there.

Other kids are watching your kids and what they choose. 

If you have a daughter you are also aware of Taylor Swift's "Life of a Showgirl" release. Again, unless you live under a rock, you know that there has been push back from even the loyalist of Swifties that this stuff is not what you want your kids singing about. Google the lyrics to the songs. 

If you really believe this is just "lyrics," think about what plays in your mind all day. Our minds are the first targets of the enemy. If he can manipulate the narrative in our head, he's sucking us in little by little and making us vulnerable to accepting even worse stuff. Watch the little foxes in the vineyard, so to speak. 

Wake up, parents. Don't be naive.

That's the next step. Be in the know. Get social media. What? I suggest Instagram (most of the kids are too cool for Facebook). Watch the reels. How else you gonna understand 6-7, bruh? (That's tongue in cheek. I'm really not that cool.)

Most importantly, TALK to your children about their day at school and at work, or sports' practices. Get to know the names of people they are around. And ask questions. Don't hound them. Just get a feel for who they may be influencing and who may be influencing THEM. 

Remind your kids their testimony is important. How they respond to media influence and music and culture will stand out. Saying no to certain activities will get them called out. Remind them that is the point. We are to be set apart. John 15:19, "if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Are your kids brave enough? Are YOU?

Let's face it. It's brutal out there. And Gen Z can be a bit cray. (Crazy without the Z). They are firm in their beliefs, or lack thereof.

TALK to your kids about this. Pray with them. Encourage them to be reading their Bibles. Get them involved with a church if they are not already. Too many "believing" people are NOT plugged into a church. The excuses are abundant. And the devil loves it.

The more your family stays out of a church setting, the more he wins. The more influence he has over your life. 

It's easy to stay home. It's easy to JUST do Sunday morning and avoid any Bible study or youth group.  And the Bible tells us what happens when we choose easy: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it," Matthew 7:13-14

And here's an important bonus thought:

Be gentle as you lead this path to win others for Christ. Don't push your soldiers forcefully into war. Guide them. Walk with them. Think about how Jesus walked and talked with the disciples. Not once did He grab someone by the neck and say " Get out there and preach," and then shove them into the crowd. He led by example. 

This is important stuff. And we are called to go...

We do not know the hour or the day that our lives -- our kids' lives -- their friends' lives -- may be ended unexpectedly. Accidents happen every day. (Boy, this blog may seem depressing, huh? It's not meant to be. Stay with me....)

And without getting too "cray" on you, Jesus may get back here before we even die. In case you didn't know, He promises to one day return for HIS children. If we're not HIS, we don't go. And friends, I would not want to be the ones left here. 

So where do you start with your kid?

Maybe even ask them that question. "If you die today, how certain are you that you will go to heaven?"

If they say, 6-7, it's no joke.

And if they say 10, then ask them, "Who are you taking with you?"

Maybe even add the question, "Who do you KNOW is going with you?" And challenge them to think about the people in their life that matter to them....even the ones who don't. How much do we REALLY love people? If you knew your BFF was headed right down the road to hell at 100 mph simply because he/she is confused or misguided...wouldn't you jump in there and guide them onto the right road? 

And pray they are given the eyes of Jesus. Pray for compassionate hearts. Pray for the boldness of David. 

My kids like to say that something really awesome is "fire."

Encourage them to go light one....the best kind. 

Let's really get rid of "6-7."