And, all people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel...and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim. (Judg. 2:7-11)
"The generation that has never seen a display of God's power is more likely to go the way of the world than the generation that has witnessed such a mighty work."It is vital that our youth and children be exposed to revival if we want them to be passionate for Jesus. Many times, parents and even pastors will think it is easier to have a move of God without the children, but this is a grave mistake. Our children and youth need to be exposed to the power of God! They need to be exposed to revival.Arthur Wallis
Years ago, I was praying and talking to God. I asked the Lord, "Why is it that so many children who are raised in church, have good parents, and learn the memory verses every week, fall away from God when they hit their teen years or go off to college?"
The Holy Ghost spoke to my heart, "One reason is that many of them have never had an experience with the Holy Ghost." Our teens know that drugs are real and sex is real, but they don't know that God's power is real. This is why we lose so many of our kids. This is why it's so important that we expose our children to revival, because one experience with the Holy Ghost can change their life forever.
Saul of Tarsus
Think about Saul of Tarsus. He was in the business of persecuting and killing Christians. One day, while Saul was on the road to Damascus he had an experience with the Holy Ghost. Saul was knocked off his horse and was blinded for days.
Saul was not blind because of sickness, but because of the power of God. That day changed his life. Saul of Tarsus became the Apostle Paul. Every time he got up to preach his sermon was, "I was on the road to Damascus." What happened on the road to Damascus? Paul had an experience with the Holy Ghost and it changed his life.
Another reason to expose children to revival is so they can participate in the spirit of repentance that predominates at most revivals. Repentance is key to revival. Revival began for me when I began to repent of my pride and let God touch me.
It is also important for kids to see Mom and Dad repent. Your kids know that you're not perfect. It helps them to open up to God when they see you repenting. I think it is especially important for children to see their father weeping at the altar.
Many times in revival services and watching revival videos, tears would come to my eyes, or a spirit of repentance would come on me. When my son, Mark, Jr. saw that, he would hug me or start praying for me. This brought us closer together and was healthy for our relationship.
The Bible says that in the last days, He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. How can this happen if families are always separated at church?
For years we have had Holy Ghost services at camp, but when the children came home, Mom and Dad had no idea how to nurture what happened to their children at camp. The Spirit of God spoke to me and said, "It's time to stop hiding your ministry. You need to have revival services in front of the entire church."
It is vital that our teens and children be exposed to God's power. If revival breaks out at your church, make a way to include the youth and kids.
Excerpt permission granted by Mark Harper Ministries