RENEW FOR OUR FUTURE Deut. 6:1-9; Mark 10:13-16
Sermon Study Guide for January 23, 2011 A rather obscure but important study conducted by the Swiss government in 1994 and published in 2000 revealed some astonishing facts with regard to the generational transmission of faith and religious values. In short, the study revealed that it is the religious practice of the father of the family that, above all, determines the future attendance at or absence from church of the children. If both father and mother attend regularly, 33 percent of their children will end up as regular churchgoers, and 41 percent will end up attending irregularly. Only a quarter of their children will end up not practicing at all. If the father is irregular and mother regular, only 3 percent of the children will subsequently become regulars themselves, while a further 59 percent will become irregulars. Thirty-eight percent will be lost. If the father is non-practicing and mother regular, only 2 percent of children will become regular worshippers, and 37 percent will attend irregularly. Over 60 percent of their children will be lost completely to the church! - Michael Craven (from here)
Sunday was the official kick-off of the “Renew for our Future” campaign. As I mentioned, this campaign is designed to renew our commitment to the children and youth of our parish, plant churches, and pay off our mortgage of $5.2 million. Today’s study will touch on those themes. 1. Read Deut. 6:1-9. Considering that the Israelites were in Egypt for 400 years, why do you think Moses wanted them to proactively teach their children and grandchildren? Who (in your family) was the center of warmth and faith? Read 2 Tim 1:5-7. Who has been your “Eunice and Lois”? 2. List out the things and activities that Moses told the people to do in order to transmit the faith to their children and grandchildren. What is most effective today? 3. Watch the “Renew for Our Future” video on our website. Briefly comment on the young voices you heard and saw in the video. At what age did you come to a deeper faith in Christ? 4. In your opinion, what are the three main challenges that our young people face in their immediate future? How can/should Christ Church prepare and equip them for their future? How can/should Christ Church partner with their parents? 5. Church planting is a part of our renewed effort. Have you even been a part of a church plant? Why do you think that I keep thinking or referring to Christ Church as a “church plant” or a “mission” even after 25 years? 6. When the children were brought to Jesus (Mark 10:13-16) the disciples turned them away. Jesus was angry and spoke specifically about the children. Paraphrase in your own words what Jesus said. Why did He say it? 7. Comment on the study findings in the left margin? Has it been true in your experience?