One Inch...

Abandonment. Abuse. Abraham. Adam. Abortion. Addiction. Adultery. Alcohol. Angels. Anger. Apostles. Atonement. Baptism. Bethlehem. Betrayal. Bitterness. Blessing. Born again. Blood. Bread. Character. Choices. Church. Commitment. Compassion. Confession. Contentment. Conversion. Covenant. Creation. Cross. Crowns. David. Death. Demons. Depression. Discipleship. Discipline. Discrimination. Disobedience. Divorce. Doubts. Dreams. Election. Elijah. Encouragement. Enemies. Envy. Eternal life. Eternity. Eve. Evil. Exodus. Faith. Fame. Family. Fasting. Fear. Forgiveness. Friendship. Freedom. Generosity. Glory. God. Gospel. Gossip. Grace. Greed. Guilt. Happiness. Hate. Heart. Heaven. Hell. Holiness. Holy Spirit. Hope. Humility. Hypocrisy. Idolatry. Injustice. Intercession. Isaac. Israel. Jealousy. Jesus. Joy. Judgment. Justice. Justification. Kindness. Kingdom of God. Lazarus. Laziness. Life. Light. Love. Lying. Lord's Supper. Marriage. Martyrs. Materialism. Mercy. Messiah. Miracles. Money. Moses. Murder. Neighbor. Obedience. Offering. Pain. Parables. Parenting. Passover. Paul. Peace. Persecution. Perseverance. Peter. Pharisees. Poor. Power. Prayer. Pride. Priests. Promises. Prophets. Purity. Quiet time. Racism. Rape. Reconciliation. Redemption. Relationships. Repentance. Respect. Responsibility. Resurrection. Revelation. Righteousness. Sacrifices. Sadducees. Salvation. Satan. Second coming. Self. Servant. Sex. Shame. Sin. Slander. Sorrow. Soul. Spirit of God. Stealing. Submission. Suffering. Suicide. Talents. Temptation. Ten Commandments. Time. Tithing. Tongues. Trinity. Trust. Truth. Unbelief. Unity. Virgin birth. War. Water. Wealth. Widows. Will of God. Wisdom. Women. Word of God. Work. Worship.

So…

The above are roughly one hundred and ninety important subjects and/or people addressed directly in the Bible. It is nowhere near a comprehensive list of the important subjects and people in Scripture. On the contrary this is simply a very small portion of what the Bible has to offer. The purpose of this list is to reveal a gigantic elephant in the corner of the room: It is critical that we as a church recognize how we need to plan for the children and students that we come in contact with. We need to be intentional about what we want them to remember, understand and apply from the countless truths and principles flowing richly from these respective subjects? Better still, how do we propose to enable and encourage the next generation to live with passionate abandonment for the only One worthy of their lives?

May I suggest that it is a question worthy of your contemplation? Take a closer look at the listed subjects. Step back. What if Silver Creek sends a generation of children, of students, into a world without at least experiencing and understanding grace? What if in our striving to reach so many we neglect to help the next generation really understand and experience Jesus?

We live in a postmodern, post-Christian world. We are leading a generation that is generally rich in experience, yet relationally and Biblically bankrupt. We see the results of this "truth void" every day. Poor choices. Destructive friendships. Basic, fundamental truths that we assume are anchored in the hearts of the next generation, yet glaringly absent when their presence is most warranted.

Let me be brutally honest: As a church we realize that it is incomprehensible for us to effectively teach the next generation every single relevant and important subject addressed in the Scriptures. It is simply a logistical impossibility. We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there.

While the most recent Karate Kid movie starring Jaden Smith has become a family favorite in our home, I am reminded of a lesson Mr. Miyagi gave young Daniel LaRusso in the original Karate Kid. When showing Daniel how to throw a punch, he says, "Secret to punch, make power of whole body fit inside one inch." He directed him to focus all of his power behind the punch to one inch on his hand. That is the secret to the vast expanse of truth we have to invest in students.

This responsibility might seem daunting but the good news is we have God leading the way! We need to follow His lead, lean on His understanding and He will take us through the steps we need to influence the lives of kids and students at Silver Creek. We do a dynamic ministry for Children and Students because it is critical that we do our part in reaching the next generation. If you had kids or want to partner with us in reaching young lives, we have a place for you. Our church will train you, invest in you and coach you so that you can be effective in returning the favor and reaching the lives of kids.

We have an incredible group of volunteers that invest time and energy into the kids and Silver Creek. We are currently, however, looking for another handful of coaches to work with our Preschoolers or 1st-4th graders. We ask for 1-2 services a month and you have the opportunity to potentially impact eternity in the life of a student. Will you help?

Thanks for your consideration!
Elizabeth