Often when I come to the church office to start my Thursday at Community Bible Church, there is evidence that something happened the night before – popcorn. You see, at AWANA, which is the Children’s Wednesday night ministry, at the end of the night, everyone can get a free bag of popcorn. As I am writing this, the vacuum is running as the cleaning crew work diligently to pick up the last remnants of a fun night for children. Yet, AWANA is much more than just fun. Along with the games in the gym, there are Bible lessons, Scripture memory, and many adults pouring into the lives of these children and sharing their faith. It is a very special night of the week.
Reflecting on this, it reminds me of how thankful I am that God many years ago put it on the hearts of my wife and I to make a commitment that has changed our lives and the lives of our children and their children. You see, we simply committed to bringing our children to church, and to the activities they had for them. I recently read a Facebook post called the
4-generation fade which says this:
1) Parents don’t make church a high priority for their kids.
2) Kids grow up and make it less of a priority for their kids.
3) Those kids grow up and make it no priority for their kids.
4) Those kids grow up with no concept of God.
The problems families face today are often more spiritual than relational, despite how difficult relationships can be. There is a spiritual war waging against families. Satan uses human instruments in the battle, but we do not fight against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Yet, it is the flesh and blood relationships of believers at home and at church that make up God’s army here on earth. God’s family, the church, is protection and a shield for our individual families. If we don’t prioritize the family of God, our individual families will suffer. In a nutshell, make God and church number one for you and your family, and you will never regret it. So, next time you see popcorn at church, remember the priorities today impact generations!
Pastor Phil