Restoring Youth In America

This is a reprint of an email I recently received:


Whenever I have a serious discussion about the troubling circumstances that this country is facing, inevitably the conversation comes back to Taking Back America's Youth. We all know that our public education system isn't teaching our children about American Exceptionalism. We know that the Entertainment World, the Media, and Higher Learning does everything to tear down the very foundations that our Country was built on.

Today, we are going to start Fighting Back. We are going to start by having a conversation with our Nation's Youth. What better place than a social network? Facebook. We want this to become a place where Youth talk, inform and challenge each other. Eventually, this will be the launching pad for starting Youth-Led and Run Tea Parties in High Schools and Colleges & Universities. That's my Dream.

The group name on Facebook is "Restoring America". Here's the link.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Restoring-America/112115062138936?v=info&ref=ts

I'd like to keep this site available for the Under 30 group. Please help me to keep this focused on Youth so that they can share freely. And, for those of us, that have a little more time to be "seasoned", let's try to just observe and let the conversation and networking occur naturally.

Now, here's what I need your help with....

Please forward this Facebook page to all the young people you know: children, grandchildren, extended family, church youth groups, etc. You can help to encourage young people to try it out.

I know you all are committed to our Youth and not just because they are our Future but because We Love Them! Thank you all in advance for helping.

LOOSING A GENERATION

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity— PSALM 143

Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness

Prayer for our churches, our cities and our nation— JUDGES 2:6-12

USA TODAY, April 27, 2010 article: SURVEY: 72% OF MILLENNIALS ‘MORE SPIRITUAL THAN RELEGIOUS’ (Reported by Lifeway Research and The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life)

This article reported that the research showed that 72% of 18-29 year olds say they are “really more spiritual than religious.” BUT ARE THEY REALLY? The article reported 65% of these people never pray with others and almost never pray by themselves; 65% rarely or never attend worship services; 67% don’t read the Bible or sacred texts; 50% are unsure that Jesus is the only path to heaven. The Pew research says Millennials are ‘less religious.’ Among those who claim to have accepted Christ as Savior, 68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked ‘what is important in life’; 50% do not attend church at least weekly; 36% rarely or never read the Bible. Only 40 % say they have a responsibility to share the Gospel. At the end of this article Tom Rainer, President of Lifeway Christian Resources says he ‘is encouraged by the roughly 15% who appear to be ‘deeply committed’ Christians in study, prayer, worship and action.’ In another article at christianpost.com, Rainer quotes, ‘For many Millennials, Christianity is a family heirloom rather than a faith commitment’ and that the next generation is slow to embrace a relationship with Christ and even slower to treasure it.’

THE OPINION OF THIS BLOG:
While I join Rainer in his praise of the 15%, I do not take a lot of encouragement from these surveys. It is a pitiful report on the spiritual climate of America among young adults. This is a generation who do not know the Lord. Read Judges 2:6-12 (especially v 10).

In the christianpost.com article Rainer says that research also shows that Millennials are really tuned in to ‘family.’ In addition, they are attracted to groups [is there a hunger here for relationships?]. Rainer states further that, ‘To minister effectively, the church should tap into this priority among Millennials. Certainly churches with a family focus is important. But that is the easy part. The generations coming up DESPERATELY need three things: 1) A spiritual awakening of mammoth proportions, 2) A personal first-hand faith in Christ and, 3) a deepening hunger for God.

It breaks my heart to read current research statistics which show a younger generation that is slipping further from a faith commitment. They avoid, ignore and/or fear personal time alone with God (no prayer life—65%, no worship time—65% and no reading of the sacred Word of God—67%). At the same time they seem hungry for relationships. Pray that your children and grandchildren will develop a hunger for God and a personal faith. Pray for a national AWAKENING OF FAITH.

Focus: That the younger generations will seek to have a genuine hunger for God; that they would strive to make faith in Christ personal; that they see the need to share the Gospel; that they would read their Bible to know God; that they would seek genuine worship; that they would pray to the living God. 
 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.

Marks Of Revival

Scripture Reading: Plea for personal purity—1PE 2:12 (Act honorably, the world is watching)
Personal Prayer & Confession (1John 1:9) Come before God in personal contrition & brokenness.

The Marks of Revival

An intense spirit of conviction will be felt immediately
Pride and self-centered living will no longer be excused
Agony of sin will be so great that the thought of prolonging life in the midst of such wickedness will be intolerable
The cross of Christ becomes truly precious
Long-standing habits of self-indulgence will be broken
Ministers of the Gospel will become [burdened about disobedience to God]
Confession of sin becomes the order of the day
Great interest in the Word of God
Prayer becomes pure delight
Agony for souls becomes the prime object of life
New converts are made without arm twisting

Scripture Reading: Plea for the return of God’s people— Isa 2:1-4:4 (Because God’s people disobey the nation suffers)
Prayer for our church, our cities and our nation
      Focus: Drawn to saving encounter with Christ; believers strengthened and encouraged in their faith; recognize inadequacy without divine guidance

     Praise & Worship Ministers in our churches
    
     Vice President Joe Biden
    
     County Judge Glen Whitley
    
     Cabinet: U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk
 
     Supreme Court Chief Justice John Paul Stevens

PERSONAL REFLECTION

(Contemplate God’s Word to you)

What was the most significant thought you received from this session?

Why do you think God implanted this upon your heart?

What do you think God wants you to do as result of what you have heard?

Is there anything that might keep you from receiving/doing/obeying what you heard?

Ask His help in achieving what He spoke to you.

Thank God for what you have heard; remember and apply it to your life.