Before we get to today’s article, I just want to mention that am writing from the perspective of a man that has experienced many of the challenges of which I write…. and those spiritual battles continue daily. The articles are implications of what it means to obey the commandment to raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. They require some reflection and are particularly for Christians who, as Peter would say, are diligently seeking to confirm their calling and are making every effort to supplement their faith. Said more succinctly, serious Christians. If you know other believers who desire to walk more faithfully with the Lord, please forward an article to them and tell them to sign up for future articles. Thanks so much!
I want to take this week’s episode to challenge you to teach yourself and your children how to think about the truth of Christianity in a deeper way. I’m afraid that most Christians, if asked certain questions about their Christian faith, would not be able to give an answer for the truth.
Before I get to my main point, let’s take a brief look at 1 Peter 3:14-15 and how God commands us to know the answers to the questions about our Christian faith: But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
The context is suffering and it is found back in 1 Peter 1:6-7 where Peter writes: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
And Peter wants to remind us of the great privilege we have to know what those who went before us never fully knew: verses 10-12 tell us: Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
The application comes in verses 13-15: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
So, we must be prepared to answer the criticisms and the questions that come on behalf of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But before we direct our attention to world around us, we parents must be able to answer those questions for our children. And even before we do that, we must be able to answer the questions that wehave-often secret doubts that live beneath the surface of our outward facing faith. These are the questions that we secretly hold locked up in an area of our hearts and they never get answered. Either because we are too lazy to do the research, or too afraid to find out that our undisturbed faith maybe undermined.
We must admit that the story of Christianity is exceptionally fantastic, so it is fertile ground for the mind of a sceptic. I’m from New York, so trust is not easily given away. In a way, the trust must be earned.
But here’s the thing: as these questions or doubts are not disturbed and not answered, our faith is undermined and because of that, we have a weakness in our spiritual armor that will eventually be exploited. And our children? Can you risk their souls in hoping they nor anyone else will ever force these questions out of the closet? Is the failure of Christian parents to not have the hard conversations about Christianity at least part of the reason why we hear these terrible reports that 80% of the children who were raised in Christian homes abandon their faith once they go on to college or elsewhere? Is it possible that all they had was a reflection of their parents’ faith, but none of their own?
As you may be aware, I have been recording Christian books and booklets that I believe would be a great help to Christians who want to grow in their relationship with the Lord. In the process of doing so, I was incredibly encouraged by the booklets written by John Blanchard. I recorded three booklets, each with their own approach to asking and answering questions about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The books are not for book nerds. They are for practical application to your life now. They are easy to read or listen to and they address questions that I would not have known how to answer. They make the purpose of Jesus Christ clear, the reason for His death to be the cross, and all of the false theories and accusations regarding His resurrection are addressed.
It is in the process of the hearing and refuting of these arguments that I became even more convinced that everything that Jesus claimed and the Bible records is true. In fact, it is so resolutely true, it makes you arrive at saying, how could I not believe?
So, here is my proposal: Go to the links that I have in this article for Apple Podcast or YouTube and listen to these recordings with your children (or for just you!). They are broken into chapters so you can play, pause, discuss, pray, rewind, or whatever. I think that the material is perfectly understandable for a 12 year old, but may be fine for a mature child as young as 10 also. Here are just some of the benefits:
- Brings the family together to think about Christ.
- Makes you and your children think. We serve an intellectual God Who has created us to think in deep ways!
- Addresses questions that your child may have now or in the future about the precious death and resurrection of our savior.
- Prepares your children for attacks after they leave your home.
- Makes them want to tell others about Jesus.
- Shows your children that you love them because you are trying to care for their souls.
This is Ephesians 6:4 in action. I’m praying that many will accept my proposal!
Title: Why Should I Believe Anything About Jesus Christ? Written By John Blanchard And Read By Michael Lee.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-why-should-i-believe/id1692832161
Description: This Podcast features three famous recordings of booklets written by John Blanchard that will strengthen your own understanding on the death and resurrection of Christ and also serve as a great evangelistic tool for a friend or family member. The first booklet is called, “Ultimate Questions.” The second booklet is called, “Why The Cross?” And the third booklet is called, “Jesus, Dead Or Alive?”
YouTube Recordings: Each of the John Blanchard booklets has its own recording. See below.
Ultimate Questions. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQggMxnbCbkLux2C6QB1W0VG
Jesus- Dead Or Alive? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjeqfP9L1olkHULFCNHVDDF
Why The Cross? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgJEuKxJL0dgjCDM85tyqrQ
OTHER RECORDINGS THAT YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL:
Title: Thoughts For Young Men From The Book By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee
Description: A wonderful book of Biblical truth and advice for young men. Helpful to parents as well as the young men themselves. Full of wisdom for a life filled with Christ. J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) served God in England as a pastor and teacher for more than 40 years. His words are still being used by the Lord today and are applicable to all Christians in all times.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-thoughts-for-young-men/id1673847428
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQixZIaBE95_JRojVSkzq1nl
Title: Stand Firm Written By Peter Jeffery and Read By Michael Lee
Description: So you just became a Christian and now what? Get ready for a life of walking with the Lord and experiencing the joy of knowing you have peace with God. However, you also have an enemy- the devil. Peter Jeffery wants to help by teaching you about the battle with the wicked one and how you can STAND FIRM against his attacks!
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-stand-firm-written-by/id1681861976
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjhDFeGYG5Tt5EWjeuz-e1p
Title: The Duties Of Parents From The Booklet By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee
Description: From the famous booklet written by Pastor J.C. Ryle. Pastor Ryle gives us 17 points of Christian parenting on which to focus our attention. His words are timeless and apply to parenting today as much as it did 100 years ago.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-the-duties-of/id1676664853
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgfoZGiRgzptFs7g07vkwU5
Title: Rediscovering The Lost Treasure Of Family Worship. Written By Jerry Marcellino And Read By Michael Lee
Description: Family Worship was once the normal practice that most Christian parents led in their homes. Led by either parent, the children would be taught daily from the word of God, pray and sing songs. It was considered to be a vital part of the Christian life.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-rediscovering-the-lost/id1692401602
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgNq7asslVBsKyq0FC3arMs
Title: Choose Your Master: God Or Money. Written And Read By Michael Lee
Description: This is one of the most written about topics in the Bible because it is one of the most dangerous to the Christian. Listen in on the good and bad experiences of the author and strongly consider the Bible’s teaching on stewardship.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-choose-your-master-god/id1683382182
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQiHoB3-tBm1qDDbxxpQAvTl
Title: Why Should I Believe Anything About Jesus Christ? Written By Various Authors And Read By Michael Lee
Description: This Podcast features three famous recordings of booklets written by John Blanchard that will strengthen your own understanding on the death and resurrection of Christ and also serve as a great evangelistic tool for a friend or family member. The first booklet is called, “Ultimate Questions.” The second booklet is called, “Why The Cross?” And the third booklet is called, “Jesus, Dead Or Alive?”
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-why-should-i-believe/id1692832161
YouTube: Each of the John Blanchard booklets has its own recording. See below.
Ultimate Questions. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQggMxnbCbkLux2C6QB1W0VG
Jesus- Dead Or Alive? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjeqfP9L1olkHULFCNHVDDF
Why The Cross? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgJEuKxJL0dgjCDM85tyqrQ
Title: From Religion To Christ, Written By Peter Jeffery And Read By Michael Lee
Description: Tired of the many systems of religion that you have observed or been part of in the past? Are you ready to say goodbye to religion? The author Peter Jeffery, agrees! Doing “religion” is empty and will not get you to heaven. There is something more-something much greater. Take a careful listen through this podcast and discover what a real relationship with God actually looks like.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-from-religion-to-christ/id1687134464
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQg_lCngBTcjs_dXT1VYvYWA
Title: A Call To Prayer By J.C. Ryle. Read By Michael Lee
Description: This is a passionate plea from the famous preacher and teacher, J.C. Ryle. Although these words were penned more than 100 years ago, the need and application for today’s Christian is greater than ever.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-a-call-to-prayer-by/id1672880807
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjaXXgO8P1U-bBFkEMCwdYR
Title: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices From The Book By Thomas Brooks. Read By Michael Lee
Description: (This is one that you can listen to a “precious remedy” each day). Thomas Brooks, born in 1608, was a Puritan preacher who wrote a number of essays during his time with possibly the foremost entitled, “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices.” In writing the book’s dedication, he wrote, “Christ, the scripture, your own hearts, and Satan’s devices, are the four prime things that should be first and most studied and searched. If any cast off the study of these they cannot be safe here, nor happy hereafter.” Brooks believed that all Christians have particular weaknesses in their faith and those weaknesses would be exploited in some way by Satan.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-precious-remedies-against/id1671364198
YouTube: Not on YouTube just yet.
Title: Messages You Want To Share With A Friend Or Loved One. Written By Various Authors And Read By Michael Lee
Description: This one has 11 different recordings of parental concerns including how to love difficult people, how to deal with angry children, family feuds, how can I know I am a Christian, and more.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-messages-you-want-to/id1681581764
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgfa3amEo_gqzBt6ypv4KX1
Title: Critical Considerations For Christian Parents About Your Child’s Education, By Michael Lee
Description: As we search the Bible for answers to the question: How shall we raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” we can see that the system for educating children was done primary by the parents in the home. However, the world in which we live now is quite different and the vast majority of parents use an educational system that is outside of the home and is that system is called the public schools, or the government schools.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-critical-considerations/id1678162250
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjnvjc7QuytT2V3lVr53oqa
Title: “Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God” By Jonathan Edwards And Read By Michael Lee
Description: This famous sermon by Jonathan Edwards will sober you up to the awesomeness of God. It is updated in modern English by Modern Puritans.com
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-sinners-in-the-hands/id1695783947
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjGDaS1xyeRC8vUJFwsxxaX
Title: The Mortification Of Sin By John Owen And Read By Michael Lee
Description: This famous treatment on killing or “mortifying,” sin by John Owen, has been updated in modern English by Modern Puritans. You will have to think hard but it is worth the journey.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-the-mortification-of/id1696454280
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQhOf-5DP2eZY4M91_NdlKwI
Title: Can You Trust God? Written and Recorded by Michael Lee
Description: Trusting God is not always easy in the midst of difficulties. We tend to trust in the things that we can see and feel and often succumb to anxiety or despair. My purpose in writing and recording this booklet is to create an ironclad argument for trusting God no matter what the situation.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-an-important-question/id1680420137
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQiHI31v5yt695Yuvc_VSyHA
Title: Cherish Ephesians 6:4 Written and Recorded by Michael Lee
Description: This is the podcast that has the weekly article from the Cherish Ephesians 6:4 ministry.
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4/id1658865547
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQj2iqoMVx36VEbpUZEQcyom
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Last modified: August 25, 2023
