Proverbs 22:6

⁶ Start children off on the way they should go,

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

There are many places that students do not enjoy going.  School may top the list with hospitals and dentist offices tied for a close second.  They hate even the idea of entering these buildings.  However, despite the quality or quantity of the child’s excuses for not wanting to go, parents make them because of the benefits of attending classes and sitting through medical appointments.

My question is why should parents treat church services any differently?   Week after week I see students who come into Verb who were not at the 8am service and it makes me sad.  As youth pastor at Vineyard I do my best to make sure that every part of Verb (worship, teaching, fellowship, group discussion…etc) is God focused and Spirit driven but I cannot match what takes place from 9am to 10:45am.  Students need to be attending the first adult service as well as Verb.

What is keeping your student from doing this?  Is it their excuses or is it your excuses?

Here are some researched results of people who went to church regularly with their parents:

• • Increased life expectancy by 8 years
  • significantly reduced use and risk from Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs
  • dramatically lower risk of suicide
  • rebounded from depression 70% faster
  • dramatically reduced risk for committing a crime
  • improved attitude at school and increased school participation
  • reduced risk for rebelliousness
  • reduced the likelihood that they would binge drink in college
  • improved odds for a "very happy" life
  • provided them with a life-long moral compass
  • provided children with a caring extended family
  • get them to wear their seatbelts more often
  • and will also statistically improve the odds that they will lead an active church life in their adults years

What more do you need to hear parents?

My uncle used to tell me that excuses are like armpits.  Everyone has them and they all stink.

What is your excuse for not getting your student or yourself to church?

With love,

Blaine Anderson