“It’s insufficient for youth groups and Sunday school classes to focus on entertainment and simpering devotional thoughts. We’ve got to train our kids for war. We dare not send them out to public high school and university armed with rubber swords and plastic armor. The time for playing games is past.” – William Lane Craig
Having worked with youth in the past–and currently working with young adults–I have had the opportunity to witness what goes on in different church youth groups and Sunday School classes. Let me start out by saying that there is nothing wrong with having fun at church. I know that my sons certainly enjoy their youth group and Sunday School classes. Leaders often incorporate games or fun activities in their lessons, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
My wife and I have made the maxim of our Sunday School class: Own your faith. Our curriculum is Christian apologetics materials from Answers in Genesis, and each week we challenge our 11th and 12th grade class with lessons that are Bible-centered, intelligent, engaging, and pragmatic. Our focus is the reliability of the Word of God, and teaching students to defend their faith. Of course we add social anecdotes, otherwise it would be a lecture, but believe me… they get enough lectures from high school teachers. We do make sure they can relate and apply lessons to their everyday lives. For instance, our last lesson was about the connection between Jesus and Jacob’s Ladder, but it also focused on the sibling rivalry of Esau and Jacob, favoritism of parents, and the sins that resulted from not trusting in God. The youth in the class could relate to the lesson because things like these–though not quite as extreme–are present in many families. Perhaps even their own. And who has not made a mistake as a result of not trusting God?
We have not incorporated games into classes thus far, but we will certainly be integrating activities in the future. But the core focus of our class will always be the Word of God: its reliability, inerrancy, and trustworthiness, and how to articulate this fact to a world that needs a Savior so desperately. I feel confident that Dr. Craig would agree that we are preparing our students for war.
What I believe he is saying is that many Sunday School classes and youth groups are little more than social gatherings where fun is the main focus. Its sole purpose, it seems, is to occupy, entertain, or babysits kids so parents can attend their own classes. I’ve been in youth groups and Sunday School classes where this is the case. Biblical instruction is peripheral (if it is included at all), and there is very little Biblical truth that they can take with them when they leave. If you want to find out if your child is in one of these types of classes, just ask him or her what they learned. I remember asking my youngest son this question some time ago to which he replied, “Um… about… God. And we had cupcakes and played dodge ball!“
I know I’ve been harping on Christian Apologetics quite a bit lately, but I believe it is essential training for the day in which we live. Society, the entertainment industry, the educational system–the entire world system is preaching a “gospel” that is entirely contrary to the Scripture. Only by equipping our young people with sound Biblical teaching will we be able to equip them to combat the evil system. It is our goal to disciple strong, vital Christian warriors. If we don’t take this seriously while they are young, we can’t blame them if they forsake the faith when they leave our homes. As you’re well aware, it’s challenging enough to walk in the faith as a trained warrior. So let’s not send our young people out there with inadequate training. Let’s get serious about equipping them to be mighty warriors of God.
“Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack!’” – Joel 3:9
In Christ’s perfect love,
Dwight
The Parson
