It is that time of year again when school bells are ringing the end of the summer vacation has come. The big yellow beasts are rolling out of there summer time slumber to again search the streets of our cities and towns for hungry souls to feed upon. As sleepy eyed children stand awaiting its arrival these bright yellow busses round up our precious little ones and whisk them away to institutions of learning. Hold on just one minute shall we? What exactly are we teaching our children? What is it that we are preparing them for? Are we really instilling in these young ones the necessary tools to survive in life faced with spiritual onslaughts each and every day? Does reading, writing and arithmetic make it when faced with the real issues of life? Have we completely threw the baby out with the bath water?

It is failure on our parts if we do not train up a child in the ways of the Lord. It is irresponsible to ignore the souls of our youth as we attempt to educate them in the ways of the world. Not equipping them with the knowledge of the greatest power source in earth is like trying to drive a car without an engine. Feeding ones mind and not feeding the soul leaves our youth wanting and empty.

JOSEPH WAS 17 years old when we are introduced to him in Genesis 37…

Within just a short period of time he was sold into slavery by his brothers — into a land where he didn’t even know the language. He was placed into Potiphar’s house and seduced on numerous occasions by Potiphar’s wife. He was falsely accused of sexual misconduct and thrown in jail. And yet, through all of this he remained faithful to God.

“And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house that I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?'” (Gen. 39:7-9)

Our young people are going to be faced with life issues that require character and a moral compass. Are we instilling these traits into them now while they are still young, or are we reasoning they can make those decisions themselves when they get older? Mistreatment, betrayal, hatred, jealousies, envy, strife and seduction all await our young people. They are being bombarded with soul snatching temptations each and every day. It is only through moral and biblical instruction are they able to navigate the seas of life.

It is our primary duty and responsibility to our children to train them up in the ways of the Lord. It is just as irresponsible to not feed our children spiritually as it is to not feed them physically.

Education is good! Teachers do a fine job of educating the mind but only those who are born again can educate the soul. It is our job as Christians to be sure to pass on the teachings of Christ to the next generation. There is no cause greater than that of making disciples.

School is now in session!