I
stumbled upon a church who was sharing their excitement about almost 400
children making decisions to make Jesus their Forever Friend at
Vacation Bible School (VBS). Almost 60 of these children then went
through a baptism class to be baptized. What startles me about telling
children to make Jesus their Forever friend is that this language is not
found in Scripture. I understand the desire for sinners to be saved. I
want children to know Jesus as well; however, we must be sure that they
understand the gospel before we treat them like Christians. If we tell
children that “Jesus is their forever friend because they accepted Him”
and this language is not in the Bible, then we just lied to
these children. The sad reality is that Jesus can be your “forever
friend” and you still go to hell. If children do not repent and believe
in Christ, believing He lived and died to forgive them of their sins and
rose from the dead to bring them into right relationship with God,
they’re not Christians. Consider the words of Christ, “If anyone would
come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”
(Matt. 16:24). Does that sound like a “typical friendship,” especially like the friendships children currently understand? Not in the least.
What is missing from “asking Jesus to be your forever friend?” Continue at Jared Moore
1 comment:
We are considering not sending ours to VBS this year because of this kind of teaching, not to mention their near-blasphemous "rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub" mealtime "prayers."
I have spoken with my children about this, and I am happy that they come home and tell me about anything that does not square with what they understand about the Word.
They are good kids. I want them to interact with other kids in this sort of setting, but I must make sure to arm and armor them first, or it is like sending them into a raging battle with nothing.
I am still debating whether or not they should go. There are not many options around our neck of the woods, though.
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