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Student Ministry - October

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Dear Church Family,

As I have been thinking about the trends of culture and their effect on students, something that the Lord continues to remind me of is the need for Christian parents and grandparents in the lives of the younger generations. I do not mean that kids and students just need Christian parents and grandparents. I mean that kids and students need Christian parents and grandparents that are intentionally investing the gospel into their lives. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

In today’s society, as soon as students enter into public school and public colleges, they immediately run into opposition to their faith. The older our children get, the more the world will try to distract them from the truth and convince them to walk away from Christianity. It is as important now as ever to train our children and students in the “way they should go.” But what does the mean?

It means that we need to intentionally raise our children in the instruction of a Christian, Biblical Worldview. They also need to be raised knowing what the world thinks and how to interact with the lies of Satan. We do not have to completely shelter them from false worldviews and ideologies, but we do have to teach them the right worldview and faith so they can stand strong in the Lord when opposition comes. So what is the Christian worldview?

Every worldview seeks to answer 4 main questions. The first is, where did we come from? The second is, what went wrong, or what is wrong with the world? The third, how do we fix it? And the fourth is, what will things be like after that?

The Bible gives us clear answers to all of these questions. We come from God. He created us and all of creation out of nothing. The problem is that we sinned and have rebelled against Him, bringing death and destruction to all of creation. The solution is not found is us, but in Him. He sent Jesus the Son to take the penalty of our sins and bring us back into a right relationship with God. Through trusting in Him and what He has done for us, we will be given eternal life to live out the purpose for which we were made. And one day, all of creation will be fully restored under the loving and sovereign rule of Jesus Christ, with whom we also will reign.

This is a very simple overview of the Christian, biblical worldview. These simple but profound truths, however, give us everything we need to find joy and fulfillment in this life. All we need to do is trust what God has said about these things in His Word for our sins to be washed away and our lives to have meaning. These are the truths we must believe and live out. To say we have a Christian worldview but fail to live it out will not cut it. That is like saying that you believe the airplane will fly but never trusting it enough to actually let it take you anywhere. Our Children need to be taught God’s worldview, but they also need to see us live it out. May the Lord give us grace to teach this, believe this, and live this out for the generations to come.

Posted by Brian Van Doren with
in Students, Newsletter

Student Ministry - September

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Dear Church Family,

Many people are talking about the current state of affairs of the world and asking if we are in the end times. Well, biblically speaking, we have been in the end times since the time of the New Testament (1 John 2:18). But I understand what everyone means. It feels like we are getting really close to the time that Jesus will return. Maybe we are, maybe we are not. Many times we look to the book of Revelation to tell us how to know when Jesus is coming back. But scripture tells us that no one can know when He will come (Matt. 24:42-44). So what is the point of Revelation?

This topic is especially relevant to students today. For whatever reason, students love discussing the end times and Revelation. This is not only a subject of fascination for students. I hear many adults talking with a sense of enchantment about these things. And I would be lying if I said I was not interested in these things as well. But it is very important that we understand what Jesus was ultimately trying to communicate through John in this bizarre book. Instead of seeing it like a detailed map of the exact signs and symbols of what to expect before Jesus comes, we should look at it like a painting which shows us the hues and colors of what life is going to be like until He does return. I am speaking very generally here. Of course, Revelation does give us things to look out for to indicate we are getting closer. But I do not believe it is trying to give us the  exact time and location. God gave us this book so we would be ready for what the world was going to be like while we waited for Christ’s return.

This is made clear when we consider who it was originally written to. The early church at that time was under heavy persecution as they were being pressured by force to worship the emperor. It seemed like there was no hope for the future. If they were detained by Roman officials and did not deny Christ, they would lose their lives. But those Christians who remained received the encouraging words of Revelation, which really just went to support much of what the Bible has already communicated.

Do you ever feel like the world is being consumed by wickedness? Like those who are in power are corrupt and corrupting? Like each successive generation is less concerned with godliness and holiness? Like each and every day it becomes more of a challenge to live for Christ? Well, there are a couple things to keep in mind when we start to notice these feelings.

First, we are not the first generation to feel this way. If you read Christian authors from the past you will find that we have all felt this way since the New Testament. The world is living up to what we should expect knowing what scripture has told us about these end times. Which brings us to the second thing to remember, God has been preparing His people for this all along the way. He tells us in Proverbs 24:9-10 “Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked; For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.” This line of thought is given in Psalm 37:1, 73:3 and many other places. Much of the Bible is there to reassure the people of God that while things might seem to be out of hand, justice will still come from the hand of the Lord. The wicked will perish and those in Christ will live forever with Him when He returns. This is the main point of Revelation. I do not know about you, but I need to be reminded sometimes that the wicked will not be able to strut about forever. I can rest knowing that Jesus will have the last word.

If you are wrestling with fear, anxiety, anger, or some other emotion regarding all that is taking place in our world, remember that God has promised from Genesis to Revelation that He is in control and that He will put an end to all that is wrong with His creation. Oh that we would proclaim the gospel freely so that, like us, some may be rescued from their wickedness and the final justice of the Lord.

Sincerely,
Brian Van Doren

 

Posted by Brian Van Doren with

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