When to steal. 
How to hold a runner on base.  
Run on dropped third strike.  
1st baseman needs to be ready. 
You are covering 2nd.  
Passed balls at home plate.  
Don’t worry about the baserunner.  
Step off the base when you are pitching. 

Whew. This past weekend was the 1st kid pitch tournament experience for our 8 (9 year old in February).  It is a lot to think about for the boys—and for the coaches. Going from coach pitch situation to Major league rules in the transition of summer to fall ball in a few weeks time..I can’t fathom the confusion clouding their heads.  

Unfortunately, many of our kids—especially teenagers—face some sort of confusion on a day in and day out situation.  

The pressures and influences of the world are strong.  There are things they can’t escape from a day to day basis.  These are found on the television, books, and movies. It is woven into the music industry and the songs of the times.  It follows them on the apps they have right on their phone. These pressures are hard to escape.  

We, as adults, usually know where they are physically.  Do we know where they are spiritually? 

We must help them contend for the faith.  (Jude 3)  

We must help them figure out just…

WHO AM I?

First up…God loves them.  Our kids struggle with acceptance within their peer groups.  They want to feel “wanted.” We have a merciful God that wants us.   The parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7 is one we need to constantly keep near our hearts and minds.  Our God loves us enough to send His son down on this earth for them.  The acceptance they need to seek is from Him.  

Second, they need to be grounded in the Word.  Worldly ideas such as Moral Therapeutic Deism are real and creeping into the faith of our young ones.  It is to a point where whatever they want to believe can be true.  That is not the case.  They must be anchored to what endures forever (1 Peter 1:25).  It must dwell among us richly (Colossians 3:16) and be our sword (Ephesians 6:17) as we journey through the darkness here on earth.  This word needs to fill us with peace, and joy, and prick our hearts to want to walk in the Spirit.  Do we teach the appreciation and importance of the Word to them?  Do we make sure they see that application from these ancient words are still at work today?  

Last, we must “train” them to be examples and bring others to Christ.   The advice Paul gives Timothy is one we need to keep close to heart when guiding them through this concept.  

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭4:12-13

Are we moving them towards “exhortation?”  Are they an example for their peers or do they fit “right” in?  Do they hurt for others when they see a lost soul?  Some may be unsure just how to do this–some of it might be from not knowing the gifts God has given them.  Some may be great listeners.  Some may be great “prayer warriors.”  Guide them to know their gifts and understand their importance in bringing others to Him.  They have a purpose.  That is to bring glory to Him.  

Is this going to take patience?  Yes.  Is this going to take showing them some grace?  Yes.  Is this going to take some hard conversations as they are raised in nurturing and admonition of the Lord?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Yes.

They are….a child of God.

Anchored to Him,

Leigh Ann