Why Are We Losing the Kids?

by Sandra M. Platt

As Christian women, there is probably nothing more heartbreaking than seeing our children turn from God. We spend thousands of dollars, and sacrifice countless hours to VBS, Bible clubs, Youth outings, Church camp, and children's parties every year. We build elaborate stage sets, plan fantastic carnivals, and youth extravaganzas and bus in all the children and teens we can find in the hopes of leading them to Christ; and yet we are still losing them! We see the grown-up children, the -fruits- of our outreaches, living as practical Atheists. They walk and talk and act like the world, even loving the world, and though they claim to be saved, evidence of life in Christ is conspicuously absent. The majority of children that we -lead to the Lord- turn away from God, and go out into the world embracing every sin imaginable never to darken the doors of a Church again; and we tell ourselves that at least they got saved when they were three or five, or whatever age, so that we can sleep at night. According to the Bible and even to our own consciences, we know that's probably far from true. No matter what excuses we might make to others for our false converts, we cannot hide the truth from God. Even our own children are abandoning the faith. They have asked Jesus into their hearts and yet we see them turn from God at staggering rates. Statistics show that no less than half have turned from God by High School age and closer to two thirds by the time they finish college. What we're doing is just not working! It's time to rethink Child Evangelism! In Why Are We Losing the Kids? You'll see where we have gone wrong and where to go from here. - We can turn the tide on our failing ministry efforts! - We can share the gospel without creating false converts or backsliders! - We can keep the kids if we'll follow God's plan! The Bible has the answers if we're willing to hear them!

Genres: Christian

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2017

Reviews

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.

Ms. Platt certainly has some ideas that will shock most people. Many of her ideas I agree with and others...not so much. It will get you thinking though.

Let's start out with what I agree with her on. Teaching our kids the New Testament only and to just believe in Jesus will result in heaven leads to a lot of children claiming they are Christian but later turning from the faith once they are off on their own. They were likely never true Christians. We first must examine the Old Testament where we learn the law and how we can't keep the law resulting in our need for a savior-Jesus. We also must repent from our sins. True repentance will show changes in our lives and the way we act in private and in public. I read this book during the big event at my church-Vacation Bible School. It is a big event. I still think we need to teach our kids both in our homes and at our churches with the understanding that they will need to make a decision about Christ on their own once they understand both the Old and New Testaments. Platt argues that the age of accountability is around 20. I do think having children go to church and Sunday School gets them in a habit they will turn back to with more interest at a later point in their lives.

Ms. Platt is a Fundamental Independent Baptist who uses only the King James Version of the Bible and doesn't like modern Christian music. These things I disagree with her about. I wondered why she used the KJV Bible verses throughout the book backing up her points. Made it very difficult at times to follow her point with all the "thee" "thus" etc. Jesus didn't speak 1600 English so the need for the KJV makes no sense. I would rather a reader understand God's Word rather than trying to decipher what it even means. I prefer the NIV version. Also they weren't singing traditional hymns back in Jesus time. The music changes with the times. Would Platt be against the hymns if she was around when they came out? "That modern music...".

The bottom line is this book will make you think. I agree that nobody can tell if someone else is truly saved or not. That is between the individual and God. Repentance and a change in your life should also be the result of belief. Jesus isn't just a get out of Hell card you play at the end of your life.

[John Gault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another honest, heart-felt examination of current evangelical and "soul-winning" tendencies.