Why Are We Losing the Kids?

Why Are We Losing the Kids?

Author: Sandra M. Platt

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-03-26

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 9781539596202

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I found this book on Bookbub, and am thrilled with what I've read. I wish every Christian would read it--especially every pastor and leader. My husband (who is a pastor) and I had already come to these conclusions before I found this book, but it gives me great hope that others are seeing the same disastrous problems. We have created a "monster" that we call "church" which little resembles the New Testament kind, and people are fleeing it. For all the promise of the "contemporary" style church, it isn't really much better. The church is failing to make disciples and failing to make any real impact in the culture, and it's all because we have failed to make authentic (true) converts. It's that simple. It's easy to make a disciple of someone who has been truly converted. Otherwise, with our usual crop of "decisions," it's like pushing a rope to get any serious commitment or Christlikeness out of them. The Bible says that Jesus is the Door, but to be brutally honest, the only way through that Door is to crawl--in repentance, submission (brokenness), and faith. We are no different than the church of the Middle Ages that baptized babies for salvation, leaving millions of people still in their sins. There isn't really any such thing as "a church for the unchurched" as many like to claim today. We should be the church of the redeemed, but we have become a church of the unsubmissive, unrepentant, unconverted, uncommitted, and unfaithful. And it all goes back to one thing--real salvation thru real repentance and real faith in Jesus Christ."-M.J. Freeman ..". thought provoking book showing true believers in Jesus Christ the need to examine the methods we are using to evangelize our children... the author backs up all of her writing with scripture, the true Word of God." -Alicia Canner " ...Wow what an eye opener, it opened my eyes to the real meaning of being born again. Not only a book to help with the youth but for everyone..."-Malinda Zemrose 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. 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! 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!


On The Day You Were Baptized

On The Day You Were Baptized

Author: Sarah Howell

Publisher:

Published: 2019-07

Total Pages: 27

ISBN-13: 9781077494268

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"On The Day You Were Baptized" helps young children understand the meaning and significance of their infant baptism. Walking through the liturgy of the baptism, this book explains what the various elements mean: the white gown, the Christ candle, the water, etc. (This version uses pastor instead of priest)


On Repentance And Repair

On Repentance And Repair

Author: Danya Ruttenberg

Publisher: Beacon Press

Published: 2022-09-13

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0807010596

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Winner NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARDS in Contemporary Jewish Life & Practice Myra H. Kraft Memorial Award A crucial new lens on repentance, atonement, forgiveness, and repair from harm—from personal transgressions to our culture’s most painful and unresolved issues American culture focuses on letting go of grudges and redemption narratives instead of the perpetrator’s obligations or recompense for harmed parties. As survivor communities have pointed out, these emphases have too often only caused more harm. But Danya Ruttenberg knew there was a better model, rooted in the work of the medieval philosopher Maimonides. For Maimonides, upon whose work Ruttenberg elaborates, forgiveness is much less important than the repair work to which the person who caused harm is obligated. The word traditionally translated as repentance really means something more like return, and in this book, returning is a restoration, as much as is possible, to the victim, and, for the perpetrator of harm, a coming back, in humility and intentionality, to behaving as the person we might like to believe we are. Maimonides laid out 5 steps: naming and owning harm; starting to change/transformation; restitution and accepting consequences; apology; and making different choices. Applying this lens to both our personal relationships and some of the most significant and painful issues of our day, including systemic racism and the legacy of enslavement, sexual violence and harassment in the wake of #MeToo, and Native American land rights, On Repentance and Repair helps us envision a way forward. Rooted in traditional Jewish concepts while doggedly accessible and available to people from any, or no, religious background, On Repentance and Repair is a book for anyone who cares about creating a country and culture that is more whole than the one in which we live, and for anyone who has been hurt or who is struggling to take responsibility for their mistakes.


The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus

Author: Katherine Sully

Publisher: QEB Publishing

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13: 9781781711736

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Who baptized Jesus? Read the story of his baptism and how he was tested.


The Moon Is Always Round

The Moon Is Always Round

Author: Jonathan Gibson

Publisher: New Growth Press

Published: 2019-09-23

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 1645071332

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Even young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God’s goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances. In this beautiful, full-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister’s death. Father and son share a simple liturgy together that reminds them that, just as the moon is always round despite its different phases, so also the goodness of God is always present throughout the different phases of life. A section in the back of the book offers further biblical help for parents and caregivers in explaining God’s goodness to children. Jonathan Gibson reminds children of all ages that God’s goodness is present in the most difficult of times, even if we can’t always see it.


The Not Even Once Club

The Not Even Once Club

Author: Wendy Watson Nelson

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: 2013

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781609073374

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Tyler makes some new friends who belong to "The 'Not Even Once' Club" and who teach him about living high standards and holding true to his beliefs.