You may not agree with what I am about to say. I want to address the current trend of what appears to be Christians seeking churches that appeal to them from an entertainment perspective rather than finding a church to plug into to use your talents in worshipping with other Christians.
There seems to be a common trend for younger Christians and young adults and that, in many instances, they are searching for in a place of worship to find and searching for worship aspects that are entertaining.
Why do we go to a place of worship? For what reasons do we get ourselves ready and head off to a place of worship? What are we exactly looking for when we seek a place to worship? Are we looking for a place that we can become involved and participate in worshiping our God with the God-given talents we have with other Christians or are we looking for place to be entertained and sitting in our “theater-like seats?” And exactly what makes us like one church versus another?
Let’s start from the beginning. Let’s start with how parents worship with their children from an early age to their late teens. But I also want to address how parents with teenagers spend time with their children along with other parents and their children not only at worship time been in other times of good Christian fellowship as well. I submit that these are critical times where critical thinking and observations are made by tender hearts that have a long-lasting impact in how our children view time spent with other Christians both in worship and outside of worship.
But there is another critical component. It is the corporate worship service as well. If we don’t start, at an appropriate early age, including our young men in “worship related activities and responsibilities,” how can we expect that when they are 18, 25, or even older to automatically be looking for a place to get involved and serving others and God versus looking for a church that appeals to “them?”
We all have God-given talents that are to be put to use. [put parable of talents].
Matthew 25:14-30 NIV
[14] “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. [19] “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. [20] The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [22] “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ [23] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [24] “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ [26] “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? [27] Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. [28] “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. [29] For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. [30] And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Don’t serve father and mother but me.
Timothy was young but serving.
King David was young when chosen.
Worship thy God with all thy heart, mind, and soul?
Is our church service structured to be entertaining or engaging for serving?
Walk in the spirit as he is in the spirit.
Acts 2:38 ……Acts 2:42-47 NIV
[42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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