Some call them the ‘iGeneration’ – our kids, our youth of today. Bombarded with more technology than they know what to do with. They are more savvy than most adults they know. They are so connected, yet so disconnected. It causes me to cry out to God daily for Jesus’ speedy return.
Every time I try to gain some momentum on my kids and stay one technological step ahead of them, I find myself 10 steps behind. Can anyone relate? Even if I manage to gain some ground – my kids still have to associate with other children, who’s parents/guardians have absolutely NO idea what they’re doing on the internet, on their iPods, BlackBerrys, or PS3s (which has direct access to the internet, in case you didn’t know that little know fact!!).
As Christ-followers, my husband and I have set multiple boundaries in terms of what we watch, and listen to, who we associate with and what games we play. We regularly creep our kids cell phones and Facebook pages. YES, we have met with resistance to any and all of this at times; YES, it has set us apart from the families in the neighbourhood; and YES, it’s hard! But it’s a fight worth fighting and never giving up on. Satan is desperate to consume our children and destroy our families. “
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
In George Barna’s book,
Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions, he tells us that children have their spiritual moorings in place by age 9 and that, by age 13, a person’s spiritual identity is pretty much established. I can certainly look back on the Sunday school teachers and day camp instructors I had and see the impact they had on my life so many years later! Get your kids involved in good programs!!
You’ve all heard children referred to as sponges – you don’t have to spend much time with them to know how true that is. We need to allow them to soak up the truth. We need to equip them with the full armor of God. We need to fight for them and then teach them how to fight for themselves. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” How’s that going in your house? Admittedly, we don’t have this nailed down yet.
I am so incredibly thankful to God for my church family and the countless godly influences that my children have in their lives. We have been able to provide healthy, fun alternatives for our kids through a variety of children’s and youth activities. They have strong mentors in their lives, who lead by example – and make living for Jesus more attractive to them than living in the world.
In Philippians 4:13, we read, “
I can do all things through him who strengthens me” and that includes parenting this iGeneration, our precious gifts from God. Hey, I’d love to hear how you’re equipping your little saints.