This Sunday we had our parenting spotlight; sorry many of you were not able to attend.  We discussed the next generation coming up in America and how to reach them for Christ.  Below is a short recap of our teaching on this important subject.

Generation Z is a designation of people in the United States that were born between 1995 and 2015.  To better understand, these are the children currently attending school and college.  Over the next ten years I believe they will designate this group into two separate generations as they hit adulthood, but for now they are one.  This group consists of 26% of our population and advertising agencies are beginning their switch to target this generation, sorry Millennials. 

Some general stats about this generation: This group believes that security is a myth and they live in a broken world.   They are now entering a post Christian culture created by previous generations.  In this world they have a hard time seeing how the Bible and science go together.  Most say the Bible has its story and science has its and they cannot be reconciled.  Only 4% have a biblical worldview, so the science of the classroom will be the dominating thought of this generation.  They do not like to be categorized by denominations like Southern Baptist or Methodist.  A full 35% will claim no religious affiliation.  66% see lying as acceptable.  Now that we can see some of the issues of this group, what do we do?

First we help them from the beginning build a foundation of who God is and what He has done.  This generation needs to hear the basic stories.  God created the heavens and the earth.  Look at how science shows us just how precise the tilt of the earth has to be to maintain life.  Look at how the moon pulls in the tide at a predictable amount and stops.  Then we need them to see how God has helped people through history.  With some, you will have to show archeological digs that prove the history of the Bible.  This leads into showing them just how insecure others have been in the past, but God always provides a way for their lives.  It never says that life will be easy.  It says that He is always with us.

Second, they need to understand important concepts to receive salvation.  The first is Jesus.  For one of the first times in American history, you might have to introduce them to the man Jesus.  For many outside the church the name Jesus is a curse word.  The use of such language might be an introduction to sharing the gospel.  “You use this name to curse, but I know this man you are speaking of, can I help introduce Him to you?”  Then they will need to know that sin is having made an offence to God, and this has a barring on their eternal destination.   They will then need to understand that Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins.  One of the biggest concepts to get them to consider is making Jesus be Lord of their life.  You know what He wants by reading the Bible and going to church with others that believe with you.  This process might take years, but if they do not understand what they are being saved from they will not look, and if they do not understand the how they will not be able to be saved.  And if they are saved from Hell, they need to know where they are being saved to.  What is heaven and why just one sin would make heaven an imperfect place.

It has been said that we need to change our mindset when it comes to making disciples.  We are not to build disciples in Jerusalem, but rather disciples that will live in Babylon.  They will be known for their beliefs, because they will be outnumbered.  There will be a lot less fringe Christianity.  Either you are all in or you will be out. 

This group will lead us into a Christian blackout, or they will be the true church that revives a dry and thirsty land.  I pray you will be a part of bringing people to the water of Jesus Christ.

Mission Zone 2019

This year we started off with our North American Mission’s study.  The study took us to Puerto Rico. One of the locals gave us a recipe to try from Puerto Rico.  When we were done with class, we let them try the food and they approved.  The rule for food in Mission Zone is you have to try it, but you don’t have to like it.  For the most part, the kids like the different foods.  Then we played games, filled out an activity book and learned about the culture of the people.

Each week we start with a game as the children arrive and then we divide up into three groups.  The first room is the culture room.  In this room they find the country on the map.  Then they color their flag for their passport.  Belinda and Laura Jo then have them try the food and learn about the area.  The second room is where we have our mission’s video.  After the five minute video, we review what we have seen and sometimes play a review game.  The third and final room is the game room.  Here the children play games that other kids from our country of study would play on the playground.  This might include a relay race with items on their head because the kids in the village need to walk miles to get drinking water.  The favorite game was whiffle cricket from India. 

The idea behind Mission Zone is to make missions as real as possible.  New languages, new customs, new foods and new games are all introduced.  We learn that there are people all around the world that need to hear about Jesus and what He did for us. 

This year in Mission Zone we had the opportunity to earn patches for Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors as well.  (This is our school year program for missions.)  The North American Mission patch and the Line glider patch were awarded to many of the children.  As Mission Zone closes the Missions ministry switches to Sunday nights at 5:00 p.m.  This program has boys in Royal Ambassadors and the girls in Girls in Action.  The preschoolers are in Mission Friends.  We earn patches and continue on the Mission Zone experience through the year.  If you have a child 3 years old to 6th grade, you should have them try this group out.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Summer patches 2019