“Mom, I was bombarded with Bible in today’s lunch.” Terence told me after he had lunch with a group of good helpers in the teens ministry. Michelle and Miko were there as well but have enjoyed very much the fellowship with Eva and other girls, including Ha Yu.
“Why it is a problem to you?” I asked.
“Talking about Bible or asking whether I want to study Bible is OK for once a while but not in every lunch.”
“Are they helping you to clarify some points instead of bombard you? Or does it reflect there is a fear within you?”
“This is also what they told me that may be I take the matter too seriously. Just be open and give myself a start may help.” Terence continued, “I know what they mean except I don’t want to lie to myself that I don’t have such motivation now.”
“Does it mean the teens from outside who never attended the church (say Kids Kingdom) are making a wrong choice to become a disciple?” I am curious to know what is underlying Terence’s perception in this matter.
“No, I do not mean that. Since they have never encountered church or Bible before, it is a life change for them, something good for them. However, being in church for too long time, I cannot see the change for me.”
Terence’s statement opened up my eyes in perceiving why our teens are stuck. They might feel they know well already, or they are so used to the format of operations and theory. Thus, a fresh and striking conviction is covered by the so called “I know” knowledge and routine behavior.
I think Terence is right that as I see the same thing in mature disciples. Here are the points that we could explore deeper:
WHY: Is it a matter of prideful-ness that when we are so familiar with something. We lose the sense of excitement and curiosity? Is God’s wisdom so limited? Or are we not creative enough to learn from God? Are we not well utilizing God’s imprinted creativeness within us when he created us?
WHAT is the clue: Will there be any catalyst to break the ice? Encouragement? Challenge? Leadership? Inspiration? Modeling?........What kind of environment helps triggering or building their positive desire in searching God?
“Terence, how could I help you?” I asked.
“Nothing!”
“Am I doing what I am doing now is helpful to you in searching God?”
“Yes.”
I have aware that there is nothing I could help him but himself. Yes, God does not want me to solely DO something to help transforming my son to be a disciple. I do not have such power. This is God’s graceful will and he is always well taking care of it in his timing with Terence. Am I having FAITH of this to be happened? It sounds that the most important clue in how I co-work with God. If I do not have such faith, how could my son feels I am a faithful disciple? Then, he will never follow something that I am not for sure.
HOW : Give them a sense of belongings; Give them a role to play in realizing their self-identity and spiritual responsibility; Give them a sense of pride of being God’s children; From there to confirm their identification and importance as part of the body and in Christ; Reinforce their beings are important to their and others’ lives; Identify how they could contribute and make the kingdom
Kodash…………
