From Colson’s BreakPoint Commentary…

“He has been called “demonic,” “barbaric,” and has been compared to Nazi doctors. And when you read about his work, it is easy to see why Americans are so outraged. Dr. Norman Spack is a pediatric endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Not long ago, he opened a clinic for what he terms “transgendered” children. Incredibly, he is giving kids as young as seven drugs that delay the onset of puberty-the first step in sex-change surgery when they are older.

Spack injects children with hormone-blocking drugs to prevent them from developing secondary sexual characteristics, like breasts or facial hair. The idea is to give them a few more years to make up their minds if they want to be male-or female.

When these kids hit their teen years, they are given the option of taking cross-hormones for a few years-which will allow them to develop the characteristics of the opposite sex. Tragically, the treatment will condemn these teenagers to lifelong infertility.

Spack appears to think that it is a reasonable trade-off for teens who feel they are trapped in the body of the opposite sex: After all, the cross-hormone treatments will make it easier for them to “pass” as the opposite sex. For instance, men will not grow as tall as they normally would, nor will they develop beards or Adam’s apples.” Continue here.

If there is ever a generation that needs to hear that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” it is this one. Society is confused over the value of life, the Creator of life and the purpose of life.

How could “Teen Pregnancy” be up? I don’t understand this. I mean many of our school systems are handing out condoms. “Abstinence Education” obviously doesn’t work because many of the organizations that support this “archaic” teaching are losing their funding.

Even those considered to be more conservative in their media reporting like FoxNews who the below article is from constantly entices its readers with seductive images and articles. Today’s features and Faces section has several great national articles. “The Girl Next Door”, “How to be Sexier”, “Eva Bares Bikini Bod” and “No Boob job”!

I thought I might could figure this one out but I am stumped once again. Here is FoxNews great article on Teen Pregnancy hitting a 15-year high.

It peaked my interest for two reasons. First, I am always looking for quotes like this to post and secondly, I collect old books. This book was first printed in 1825-wow! Now a great quest has started by David. I will let you know when I find this prize.

Read with caution. This Pastor wasn’t writing to make friends.

Here is the quote.
“It is a situation of tremendous responsibility to be a parent-for the manner in which you discharge the duties of this relation, you must give an account in that dreadful day when the secrets of all hearts shall be judged by Jesus Christ. With every babe that God entrusts to your care, he in effect sends the solemn injunction-”Take this child, and bring it up for me”-and at the final audit, will inquire in what manner you have obeyed the command. It will not then be sufficient to plead the strength of your affection, nor the ceaseless efforts to which it gave rise; for if these efforts were not directed to a right end, if all your solicitude was lavished upon inferior objects, you will receive the rebuke of Him that sits upon the throne.

But, in the case of a Christian parent, it is in the highest degree inconsistent, absurd, cruel, and wicked ever to lose sight of this in the arrangements which he makes for his family, or in the manner of conducting himself towards them. Do you really believe in the ruin of the human race by sin-and their recovery by Christ? In the existence of such states as heaven and hell? In the necessity of a life of faith and holiness-in order to escape the one and secure the other? Then act up to these solemn convictions, not only in reference to your own salvation-but to the salvation of your children. Let a supreme concern for their immortal interests be at the bottom of all your conduct, and be interwoven with all your parental habits. Let them have, in the fullest sense of the term, a CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. Act so towards them and for them, as that you shall be able to say to them, however they may turn out-”I take you to record that I am clear of your blood.”

Parents, as you would wish your instructions and admonitions to your family to be successful-enforce them by the power of a holy example. It is not enough for you to be generally pious-but you should be wholly pious; not only to be real disciples-but eminent ones; not only sincere Christians-but consistent ones.Whether you are so devoting yourself to the pious education to your children that a visitor while leaving your house shall have this testimony concerning your parental solicitude or concern, “That father and mother are really concerned about their children’s salvation, it is seen in all their conduct.

This is the question, whether you are so pursuing this object that your children themselves shall say “my father and mother are truly and earnest about my soul. This is and I repeat is not whether godliness is the great thing, the one thing you are pursuing for them does it gather up, into itself the chief solicitude and control your general plans.

Yes these children are something more than living domestic play things, something more than animated household ornaments who by their elegant accomplishments and their graceful manners shall adorn the habitation and be their fathers bride the mothers build, they are the next inhabitants of our nation’s country and the next race of our friends or enemies to the cause of God on earth.

The family then I repeat is the mold of where the members of the state and the church are cast and formed and this not ever for a single day be forgotten. And so parents you ought to understand that you have a call on your life.”

You can read the book free here online.

Johnny L. Derouen, PhD
Assoc. Professor of Student Ministry, 

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft Worth, Texas

Steve:  Tell us a little about yourself?

Johnny:  I was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  My Dad and Mom were not
Christians during my “growing up” years.  Dad was raised Catholic and Mom was
raised Pentecostal but they did not attend.  I was heavy into sports through my
college years, mainly track, football, baseball and a little bit of basketball.
I came to know Jesus during my junior year in high school through the witness of
a few friends.  My mom received Christ 4 years later and my dad became a
Christian 10 years later on his death bed.  My undergrad degree is in
Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry.  I was involved in the Kappa Alpha
Fraternity and Blue Key Fraternity in college along with Campus Crusade for
Christ.  It was a wonderful time of growth and challenge for me!  I met my
wonderful wife in college and we married after I graduated.  During my junior
year I served as a part time youth minister in a Methodist Church and during
this time, God made very clear to me His call on my life in youth ministry.
YEAH!  I have served for 30 years as a youth minister and have been teaching
youth ministry here at SWBTS for 4 years.  It is like Christmas every day.  I
love to work out, laughing, play and watch sports, read voraciously,  play with
my two sons (Josh is 26 and Ty is 12), talk and pray for teenagers with Steve
Wright and others like him, and most of all to hang out with my wife.

Steve:  How did you start in the world of student ministry? 

Johnny:  In 1999 I felt a strong urging of God to pursue my PhD in
youth ministry (many thought I was crazy).  I had no desire to teach at that
time, just felt a call to pursue the degree.  After I finished my seminars,
comprehensives, and Stat Exam I received a call to meet with Dr Patterson (SWBTS
President).  He offered me a position to teach at SWBTS.  My wife and I prayed
about it for a few months and felt God telling us that this was His next stage
for my life.  We accepted, resigned from Travis Avenue (after 10 years), and
came to teach at SWBTS in January 2005.  I am so grateful to God.

Steve:  You have spent the summer speaking at youth camps. How has it been going? 

Johnny: I have been at a few camps this summer speaking to youth and a few speaking
to youth workers.  It is a joy!!  I love teenagers and what God is doing in their
world.  One student, Colton, came down to receive Christ a few weeks ago.  He
went back to his small town and led 8 of his friends to Christ in the first week
home!  They went to the only church in their hometown.  No one at the church was
under the age of 62.  All were baptized that morning..  The following week, they
all led 22 more to Christ and these were all baptized in a small church that did
not have one youth before Colton.  Now there are 31 youth!  God is truly moving
in this generation.  I, also, help direct 12th grade in my local church.

Steve:  What are the most encouraging things that you are observing in student
ministry today?

Johnny: I have noticed a widening of the gap between those who students who follow
Jesus and those who don’t.  In other words, not many students are riding the
fence anymore.  Those who are choosing to follow Jesus are bold, committed, and
willing to go wherever He leads them.   They are hungry for God and His Word and
are more than willing to go to their knees asking God for a spiritual awakening
and to give up their time to serve others if led well.  It is an amazing time to
be a youth minister or youth worker!

Steve:  What are a few of the major challenges that you are personally concerned
about?

Johnny: I am personally concerned about a few things.  Are we in youth ministry
doing what is needed as students transition from 5th/6th to the youth area and
from high school to college.  In other words, are we ready for many of today’s
children ministries like the LIT program that are producing 7th graders who have
already led VBS’, praise bands, and other leadership areas or will we dumb them
down because they are new to the youth program and the same with college
ministries.  Are they taking youth who have led their youth programs and then
asking them to do very little (except maybe a freshmen council ) their first
year in college.  No wonder that we lose so many in that first year!  I am also
concerned with the question of whether or not we are equipping our students to
walk with God for a lifetime (are we giving them the tools needed) after they
leave the youth area and the same with equipping their parents and the youth
workers to fulfill their roles.  An added worry is if we are leading our
students to be aggressive in their prayers for a spiritual awakening.

Steve:  As a mentor and friend I have often heard you speak of the “necessity of
prayer in our ministries”. What drives this passion for you?

Johnny: The Bible itself and personal experience drives my passion for prayer in our
ministries.  In so many passages in the Bible God commands us to pray and sets
that as one of the major conditions for spiritual awakening; 11 Chron. 7:14-16,
James 4:2, and many,  many more.  In high school, two of my peers begin to pray
for a moving of God on my campus where there were not any campus clubs and
nothing was happening spiritually.  After 4 months of [raying, God moved
mightily and hundreds became believers.  I was one of those who came to know
Jesus in that time period.  I firmly believe that God was moved by the earnest
prayer of those two teenagers.  Imagine what would happen if a few teens begin
to pray for months for God to move and made a pact not to stop until  God’s name
was honored on their campus.  Wow!  John Know, the Scottish missionary, said,
“God, give me Scotland or I can’t live.”

Steve:  Can you really speak to the heart of what a healthy “Parent Ministry”
looks like? 

Johnny: On parent ministry, I think that it will look different in every situation
depending on the gifts of the youth minister, the heart of the pastor, the
willingness of the pastor and the ED Minister to do their job in this area of
equipping families.  Prayer, talking to the pastor and other staff, and changing
the churches mission statement to include “We exist to… and equipping the
parents/families to be the primary spiritual influencer of their family.”  Is
the starting points.  Then forming a Parent’s Advisory Board to help brainstorm
with the youth minister how this would look in their specific church setting is
critical.  I believe in involving the people to be a part is clearly equipping
them.  This mindset must permeate all that is done.  It is not so much
programming only but a mindset that is firmly based upon scripture.  In fact, I
would say that a church that does not have as a part of their mission statement
something about equipping the family does not have a Biblical mission statement.
Your PAB could also help in developing ideas for students who do not have Godly
parents.

Steve:  What could churches do to help them keep their student pastors longer?

Johnny:  Encourage your youth pastor from the pulpit and from parents and youth
workers an youth.  Make them feel loved and important.  Give your youth pastor
the opportunity to continue his/her learning by paying their way to conferences
or furthering their education at college or seminary.  Get involved in helping
your youth pastor run the youth ministry.  Encourage your youth pastor not to be
a one man show but help train him on how to enlist, train, and equip other
adults and parents to be a part of the team-how to help other adults to invest
in the youth ministry.  Give them adequate time off and pay.  Love on his/her
family.

Steve:  What could student pastors do to help themselves be planted longer at
the church they serve?

Johnny: The same as above but from their point of view.  Especially remember that
you will always be a learner and not to be afraid of this or to avoid continuing
their education thus closing future doors for them.  Learn to enjoy life and
what God has called you to do.   Do not take yourself too seriously as if you
are the white knight.

Steve:  If you could go back and start over as a young eager pastor, is there
anything you would do differently?

Johnny: Start a Parents Advisory Board at my first church and make parents and
youth workers a priority.  They will be there long after you are gone.  Strive
for excellence in all I do as if I am doing youth ministry for the Lord!  Guide
my students into more and more in depth prayer.  Challenge them more to know why
they believe what they do and give them more tools to walk with God for a
lifetime.  Spend more and more time discipling my own children.  Trust God more
and relax and enjoy life along the journey.  He is God and in control!

What I did not know until recently through the great writing of Dr Kim Riddlebarger Ph.D was that “during their stay in Europe an event occurred that would forever change the Warfield’s lives. While walking together in the Harz mountains, Mr. and Mrs. Warfield were caught in a violent thunderstorm. Annie Warfield suffered a severe trauma to her nervous system from which she never fully recovered. She was so severely traumatized that she would spend the rest of her life as an invalid of sorts, becoming increasingly more incapacitated as the years went by. Her husband was to spend the rest of their lives together giving her “his constant attention and care” until her death in 1915 (Allis, “Personal Impressions of Dr Warfield,” 10).”

“It was his tremendous energy which perhaps, more than any other single factor, contributed to Warfield’s wide reaching influence. As Kerr notes, one of Warfield’s most important forums was the book review, so often overlooked as an important “bully pulpit.” “Book reviewing is, I think, one of the most important means of theological communication,” adds Dr. Kerr, and somehow the Princetonian managed to publish over 780 of them in various publications, of which 318, were “very substantial critical reviews.” (14).

Warfield’s remarkable literary output is, no doubt, in large measure due to the frail condition of his wife and his amazing devotion to her. With the pen he was a formidable foe, but as O. T. Allis recalls, “I used to see them walking together and the gentleness of his manner was striking proof of the loving care with which he surrounded her. They had no children. During the years spent at Princeton, he rarely if ever was absent for any length of time” (Allis, “Personal Impressions of Dr Warfield,” 10). Machen recalled that Mrs. Warfield was a brilliant woman and that Dr. Warfield would read to her several hours each day. Machen dimly recalled seeing Mrs. Warfield in her yard a number of years earlier during his own student days, but notes that she had been long since bed-ridden (Stonehouse, J. Gresham Machen, 220).

According to most accounts, Dr. Warfield almost never ventured away from her side for more than two hours at a time. In fact, he left the confines of Princeton only one time during a ten-year period, and that for a trip designed to alleviate his wife’s suffering which ultimately failed (Bamberg, “Our Image of Warfield Must Go,” 229). As Colin Brown incisively notes, Warfield’s lectures on the cessation of the charismata, given at Columbia Theological Seminary in South Carolina shortly after her death, are quite remarkable and demonstrate “a certain poignancy [which] attaches itself to Warfield’s work in view of the debilitating illness of his wife throughout their married life” (Colin Brown, Miracles and the Critical Mind, Eerdmans, 1984, 199). Though Warfield may have been known to many as a tenacious fighter, the compassion he directed toward his wife, Annie Kinkead Warfield, demonstrates a capacity for tenderness and caring that is in its own right quite remarkable.

In the mysterious providence of God, it was the nature of his wife’s illness and his devotion to her, that ironically provided the greatest impetus for his massive literary output. Personally vital and energetic, “he did not allow” his wife’s illness “to hinder him in his work. He was intensely active with voice and pen” (Allis, “Personal Impressions of Dr Warfield,” 11). Thus his creative energies were focused in two directions: his writing and the classroom. As caretaker for an invalid wife, Warfield spent many hours each day in the confines of his study.”

Today marriage appears to have more options than Baskin-Robbins. We read daily of men walking away from their wives and their children. The temptation that “other things” are real, are more satisfying and more fulfilling is as passing as the fruit that Eve so desperately tasted.

The truth is that very few things in this life will cross over into eternity. May God give men today the grace to see those things which are eternal and that brings Christ the most glory in this short life. May these lasting riches captivate our hearts and set straight our desires and may our faithfulness stir future generations to put their hope in Christ.

Beauty truly is fleeting.

Wives, you may want to send this to your husbands.

I Samuel 16:7 “Man judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”

I was reminded in an article recently of what a Godly picture of true beauty should look like. Billy Graham at Ruth’s funeral said “I wish you could look in that casket because she’s so beautiful,” said Graham, clinging to his walker. “She was a wonderful woman.”

I could almost hear these words in his powerful voice. “She’s so beautiful.”

Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

You may have seen Larry King’s interview with Billy Graham when Billy talks about true beauty.

“KING: You’ve been married to Ruth, Billy Graham, for 61 years. How is her health?

GRAHAM: Her health is not very good. She’s an invalid. She can get up a couple times a week and go to her hairdresser and for she is — the woman that she is, she is a strong woman. I don’t think I could have ever married anybody that would have been more helpful to my work and ministry than she has been and she is still is very bright. We have wonderful conversations. We have a time of prayer every night and Bible reading and we watch Larry King.

KING: With all of your travels, did she raise the children?

GRAHAM: Mostly. It’s been exaggerated. I haven’t been away from home as much as some people have said. I was away from home 50, maybe 60 percent of the time and that’s quite a lot but somebody said it was 90 percent but it hasn’t been that much.

KING: Would you want to go before her?

GRAHAM: Well, I’d like to see us hold hands and go together because I love her so much. And I love her more now — interestingly, I love her more now, and we have more romance now than we did when we were young. We both agree to that, and…

KING: You have romance?

GRAHAM: Yes, we can look each other through the eyes. We don’t have the physical love, but we have eye contact that tells you I love you and there is not a single day, not a single night after “Larry King” that I don’t say “I love you” and I love her with all my heart. But there’s two bedroom. I have one. There’s a bathroom in between. So I go around to my room. She has a nurse that takes care of her, and I have one too, and — I have had. I have a nurse now with me in New York to try to keep my on track with my medications.

KING: Have you ever Billy, been tempted? By that — I remember once you told me you would never permit yourself to be in a room with another woman with the door closed.

GRAHAM: That’s right. That is correct.

KING: Any room, office, any room. Anywhere.

GRAHAM: Except the nurse now.

KING: Except the nurse, of course. Have you ever been tempted?

GRAHAM: No - I have, I’m sure, but I can’t remember it because I believe that there is no temptation taking you but such is of God, that he allows you to be tempted, but you are able to overcome it with the help of the Lord. And I think that’s been true. I’ve never been tempted to the point that I would do something wrong. I can’t remember that. I have been — love to see a beautiful woman like every young or middle-aged man. Not as an old man so much. I like to see the beauty, the inner beauty of people, but the other beauty is something of the past.”

Key points.

1. “61 years of marriage”
2. “We have a time of prayer every night and Bible reading”
3. “interestingly, I love her more now, and we have more romance now than we did when we were young.”
4. “there is not a single day, not a single night after “Larry King” that I don’t say “I love you” and I love her with all my heart.”
5. “I like to see the beauty, the inner beauty of people”

Just a few things for us young bucks to strive for.

Here is what she says about these mission trip:

1.  “they have come under increased scrutiny”

2.  “A growing body of research questions the value of the trips abroad”

3.  “Critics scornfully call such trips “religious tourism” undertaken by “vacationaries.”

4.  “But research has found that the trips tend to have few long-term effects on the local people or on the mission travelers.”

While there are a couple of good points made in the article its overall negative tone undermines the possibilities of these points being gleaned. In several instances research is claimed to support points but the research is never sited. A few examples of this are noted above.  I have written the author Jacqueline Salmon and asked for further documentation of the research mentioned in her article.

Here has been my experience. Our student ministry team has been going to the same spot in Belize for ten years this spring. I consider the relationships I have with many in Belize much closer than many I have here in the States.

I also feel the exposure has been invaluable for the students that have attended. A goal of our ministry is that all of our students would have had a foreign mission trip experience before they graduate high school.

I can understand Jacqueline’s point in the article if you look at it from strictly a economic stand point.  She claims that critics “question the expense involved in sending people long distances. Short-term missionaries pay $1,000 each, or far more, in plane fare and other expenses to get to remote destinations.” Who these critics are and why we might even want to listen to them is never mentioned.

As Christians we are to look past the economics are we? We are commanded to go. Compassion makes it difficult to place a value on a soul.

I am sure as the article so skillful points out that we do indeed make blunders, mistakes and royally mess up. I also know that for each of these that 100 orphaned children smiled, 1000 were fed a good meal, aids victims were comforted, the eternal hope of the gospel was proclaimed and yes even a few churches might “get painted six times in one summer.”

Kevin Carroll

Student Pastor

Church Of Brookhills

Steve: Please tell us how you came to Christ?

Kevin: The first believer that God brought into my life was a biker by the name of Hobo who was a recent convert who had a Harley repair shop in Pasadena, Texas called Hobo’s Hog House. I was 22 years old, a pagan and native of Chicago who had never met a professing believer before that time. He planted seeds that were watered 3 weeks later while I was camping with a friend when a young lady came over to our campsite to borrow a can opener for her fruit cocktail. We talked for 6 hours that night and after a major moving of the Holy Spirit I understood for the first time what it meant to be a Christ Follower. At 12:55am in the middle of the East Texas Piney Woods I met Jesus! My life was radically changed and God sent a supernatural cleansing from some major habits which he has delivered me from till this day!

Steve: How did God confirm in you a call to ministry? How long have you been serving the local church?

Kevin: From the moment I became a believer I have had a burden to help teenagers meet Jesus and not go through the problems I had growing up in Chicago. I dropped out of school when I was in 8^th grade and I knew I needed to get an education so I took my GED and then went off to Bible College in San Diego, CA I worked with a street kids in CA. I then went to Dallas, TX to finish a couple of degrees and began serving as a youth minister in a small church. I am presently serving at my third church in 26 years of student ministry.

Steve: What are your hobbies?

Kevin: I love to spend time with my wife and kids! I also have a love for old Christian books. I learn so much from the lives of obscure saints who suffered for the cause of Christ! And dead saints don’t change their doctrine! I also have a couple of motorcycles that are transportation more than a hobby, but I love my face in the wind!

Steve: What issues do you see the church facing in regards to the Gospel?

Kevin: The watering down of the Gospel truth is worrisome! (Mt 7: 21-23) haunts me. I counsel so many young people who were never Biblically directed to a relationship with Christ. There are many “gospel” philosophies being taught that sound good but are not biblical. I believe (Mt 10:9,13) teach the Lordship of Christ, a complete surrender of one’s life, not just a prayer. Repentance and Faith are both necessary! There are organizations and schools teaching that repentance is a work and not required for salvation. This troubles my soul.

Steve: Tell us about the family camp that some of your church families have attended?

Kevin: J H Ranch in California has been a beacon for drawing families together for our Church body. They have Parent- son/daughter camps throughout the summer and hold regional weekend meetings called Outback around the country. I have seen God use this organization to bring the hearts of teenagers closer to their parents and visa versa. My own son and wife went last summer and I saw God do an amazing work in both of them!

Steve: How effective have you and your staff been with genuinely partnering with parents?

Kevin: I wish I could say we have made large strides but I am afraid we are just scratching the surface when it comes to equipping parents to disciple their teenagers. We are however being more intentional with requiring 50% of our time this year being spent in leadership development with parents and adult leaders.

Steve: What have some of these efforts looked like?

Kevin: We are prioritizing our next three years in working ourselves out of a job so to speak. We are approaching the next 3 years with the philosophy of ‘how will we prioritize our time if we only had 3 years like Jesus did in pouring our life in to a small group in carrying out the Great Commission when we are gone’. Parents and leaders of small groups will be that priority. Time, Time and more Time spent with parents in intentional, relational disciple making process.
Steve: What advice would you give to a youth pastor in his mid twenties?

Kevin: Personal solitude with Christ is Fundamental! Be humble and lean on older wiser ministers and parents for advice and godly counsel. I think too many young ministers try and force their ‘ideas’ on parents without practical experience in parenting teenagers. Also, to always support and back the parents to the teenagers. I would also suggest having parents over for dinner weekly to build relationships. And try and be in the households of every one of the teens in their ministry.

Steve: Do you think teens would sit through a six hour Bible study?

Kevin: Of course! They are so tired of opinions and so hungry for just the Word! We have bi-yearly Secret Church- Know the Word/ Know the Persecuted events taught by our 29 year old pastor where we have hundreds of teenagers accompany over 2 thousand adults and college age students in these in-depth studies of the Word from 6pm till after midnight. Our teenagers are looking forward to our next session Nov 7^th, 2008. We also have had bus loads of teenagers come from several different states to attend these Bible Studies. These are seminary style studies that have covered OT Survey, NT Survey, The Doctrine of God and How to Study the Word of God. These are recorded and translated into 13 different key languages and then sent as teaching resources for the underground church around the world for strengthening the persecuted church. You can download these sessions free at www.brookhills.org under Secret Church. Several youth minister friends are re-teaching this material to their students.

Early in the study, Dean explains the Jewish backdrop behind the parables of Jesus.  There is one particular passage in her book that I would love for you to indulge me in sharing:

The Jewish religion had not only the written Word (Torah), but also the oral law and the many interpretations of the rabbis and sages throughout their history (Talmud).  In Jesus’s day, Talmud was not written down.  It had to be memorized.  Memorization in the Jewish culture was exact and word-for-word.  One could not summarize the words of a rabbi.  They had to be quoted exactly.

People did not have scrolls in their homes.  The scrolls that contained the Hebrew Scriptures were kept at the synagogue.  Because memorization was paramount in Jewish culture and because knowledge of Torah was so important, Hebrew children were trained from their earliest years how to memorize.  The early games that parents played with their young children were games that would prepare them to memorize.

All Jewish children memorized the first five books of the Bible and went to school until they were 12 years old.  After the age of 12, only the most advanced ones continued in their education.  Those who showed extreme ability and who stood out far above the other students might then leave home to study with a rabbi, or become a disciple.  These rabbis and disciples spent day and night studying and reflecting upon Torah and Talmud.  They memorized it, they debated it, they analyzed it, they dissected it, they taught it, and they preached it.  A disciple, when he was fully taught, might then become a rabbi.

(Secrets Jesus Shared, 21-22)

The thing that caught my attention was that ALL children memorized the Torah.  Every one of them.  Deliberately.  Purposefully.  Exactly.

What a challenge for us as parents in the I.T. age.  We google everything from addresses to medical conditions to old college friends.  We carry around cell phones that contain all the phone numbers we need.  We have PDA features that coordinate our schedules.  I suppose that when you get right down to it, there’s very little we actually have to know.  We just have to know where to look it up.

With one exception:  the Word of God.  You see, God says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…” (Deuteronomy 11:18).   Fix doesn’t mean just download the Bible onto your laptop or PDA.  Fix means download God’s Word into your heart.  If you’ve ever tried to download a huge file, you now already it’s going to take some time.  And it’s OK if you have to give the world a SYSTEM BUSY message sometimes.  You are processing the greatest Text file ever written.  Make certain there aren’t any errors.  Don’t just know where to find it.  Know It.

Why?  Because in Deuteronomy 11:19, God tells us we need to help download His Word into our children’s hearts.  And we absolutely cannot afford any download errors there.

Homework assignment:  Knowing what you know… read this article about a stone with messianic prophecies.  How does what the scholars say compare to what God’s Word says?