Mission 4-14
Matthew 18:1–6 (CSB)
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a small child and had him stand among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.
6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.
Will We Lose This Generation?
The world is working overtime to steal the hearts of kids. Their minds are saturated with screens that preach a godless, secular worldview that is focused on pleasing one thing: themselves. Relativistic values, gender fluidity, cancel culture, and socialism are today’s “truths” being taught as early as kindergarten. In a world flooded with ideas and information, the only consistent message kids are receiving is that Christianity is bigoted and dangerous.
Nearly 70% of the students in high school youth groups “graduate” and never come back to church. Most church kids know about God but have never experienced Him.
Growing up we had 3 channels; today they have 300+
Social Media – movie: The Social Dilemma
2 weeks ago the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee
#1 desire is to be an influencer (social media influencer)
54% spend 4+ hours/day on social media (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok)
Popularize negative trends
SUICIDE
Last year, suicide rates in the U.S. were the highest they had been since 1941, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During the last two decades, youth suicide has increased significantly. From 2007 through 2021, suicide rates for Americans ages 10 to 24 rose 62%, according to the CDC.
In 2021, 9% of high school students reported attempting suicide during the previous 12 months
3 out of 5 teen girls felt “persistently sad or hopeless”
30% of teen girls seriously considered suicide
18% of teen girls experienced sexual violence in the last year
LGBTQ+
According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 20.8% of Gen Z identifies as a member of the
LGBTQ+ community
Transgender
Gender affirming care
Body integrity dysphoria — feeling like one’s limb doesn’t belong or is disconnected. We wouldn’t encourage someone to have the limb amputated because it doesn’t fit - paraphrase
ROGD- rapid onset gender dysphoria. Littman study - avg age 16; 80% female
Key factors for girls:
1. Influence of girls friend group
2. The tendency to manifest gender dysphoria as a coping mechanism for other issues.
3. Increased social media consumption
Colossians 2:8 (CSB)
8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.
INSTEAD OF BEING TAKEN CAPTIVE – WE NEED to TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT
2 Corinthians 10:5
“…take every thought captive to obey Christ”
EVERY MOVIE YOU WATCH, EVERY YOUTUBE/FB REEL IS A SERMON - Worldview
2011 Swedish study - considered prior psychiatric illnesses.
Among post operative transsexuals suicide attempts 5x more likely
Hospitalized for psychiatric care 3x more likely
People who transitioned 19x more likely to commit suicide
BBC investigative journalist Hannah Barnes, “ withholding transgender medical interventions for minors has never never been shown to cause a higher rate of suicide” - Barnes embraces transgender ideology But says, “common therapies like puberty blockers and cross sex hormones Do not improve outcomes. Puberty blockers like lupron have known and frequent Noside effects such as depression, anxiety, arthritis and bone fractures.
Sweden, UK, Norway, France – rethinking puberty blockers and cross sex hormones because of so many side-effects. Once avante garde, now they are pulling back and saying is this what’s best
Eventually the truth will win out and we will look back on this phase like we do on lobotomies and such.
BUT PARENTS PREVENTED FROM PROTECTING KIDS!!!!
TRANS SANCTUARY STATES: Colorado, California, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico and Minnesota, New York -
prevent state courts or officials from complying with child removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota.
Our world is more interested in affirming feelings than confirming facts - Ryan Baumberger (World Magazine)
RESOURCES
– Katie McCoy - To Be A Woman (book)
Rosaria Butterfield (former lesbian professor and women’s activist) - 5 Lies
AXIS.ORG
EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOLER FEELS THEY DON’T FIT
2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (ESV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
SINGLE PARENTING
Most growing up with one parent, or split time between 2 or with step siblings/blended family.
DISRESPECT OF PARENTS – cultural
Sitcoms, YouTube, movies
Ephesians 6:1–3 (ESV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Deuteronomy 6:5–9 (CSB)
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.
SOLUTION:
(Mission 4-14)
THERE ARE MORE CHILDREN ALIVE TODAY THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN HISTORY.
nearly 2 BILLION LIVES are preparing to inherit the earth from us.
63% OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO FAITH IN CHRIST DO SO BETWEEN THE AGES OF 4 AND 14
As teens get older, they become captivated by the world and their hearts begin to harden
toward God. Only 3% of evangelical Christians came to faith after age 29.
VISION
•To see children of light empowered and equipped to share their faith, prophesy, and reach their generation with the love of Christ
•To see young people that walk with the integrity of Daniel, the courage of David, and the power of God!
R-KIDS WORSHIP CENTER (Mission 4-14) SLIDE
Kids worship
Expand summer music camp
After school tutoring
Additional counseling offices
Expand to day care
ALSO going into schools – First Priority to love kids and share the gospel.
RESOURCES –
RightNow Media (free!) https://www.revealfellowship.com/rnmedia
World Watch - 10 minute Christian video program for kids
The World and Everything In It Podcast - for adults/teens