We want our kids to grow up to be responsible, productive adults. So, we train them to take on responsibilities and we encourage them strive for greatness. Those are ideal and needed life qualities, but what happens when those “needed life lessons” run up against the church?
We want our kids to succeed, so we may push them to push themselves and strive for greatness in sports, clubs, music, scouting, martial arts, etc. Or we may urge them to get a job while they’re still in high school to learn the value of a strong work ethic, how to manage money, how to interact with people, how to handle responsibility, etc.
But what happens when the schedule for those “great things” in life conflicts with the times for worship, Bible study and planned (on-the-calendar) activities of the church (including youth activities)? What lessons (i.e., the lessons that REALLY, ETERNALLY matter) are we teaching our kids when the church takes second (or no) place? Are we teaching our kids to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33), or only when that is convenient? Some things REALLY matter. Some things don’t. What are we teaching our kids?