As parents and leaders, it is our responsibility to teach our young people the truth. For too long, we’ve watered down the Gospel, candy-coated it, and begged young people to come to church. We tantalize them with a soft version of the Gospel for fear of chasing them away.
From my experience in speaking to thousands of young people every weekend in America, I have found just the opposite to be true. The more we water down the Gospel, the less respect young people have for the Gospel.
Most kids don’t mind us getting in their face with the truth of God’s Word, as long as we don’t talk down to them.
They need to hear what the Bible says about God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace, but they also need to know what Jesus expects of them as young men and women of God.
What would you think about the coach who said, “Come on guys, we just want to have fun. I don’t want to work you too hard, and I don’t want to make you sweat too much.”
That coach would never win a game or gain the respect of his team. It’s time for us to quit begging these kids to come to church, feeding them pizza to get them to listen, and then giving them baby food from God’s Word – stuff that won’t require anything from them or challenge them to change and strive for greatness in God.
Feeding kids their “spinach” is teaching them things that they may not want to hear, but it is what they need to live victoriously and achieve their dreams.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Ron Luce was the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries from 1986-2015. Ron and his wife Katie dreamed to raise young people who would change the world.
Ron received his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology from Oral Roberts University and his master's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa, along with an honorary doctorate from Jerry Falwell of Liberty University. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled to more than 60 countries and has made numerous media appearances, such as Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast, CNN, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC Nightline, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Sean Hannity Show. Ron has also written 35 books for teens, youth pastors, and parents and continues to speak at leaders' conferences helping parents and pastors understand the plight of today's youth and showing them how all of us can be part of the solution.
Ron and Katie currently live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their son Cameron. They have two daughters, Hannah and Charity.