There are many challenges that face our Christian young people today, but thankfully God is able to give them the power to overcome. Let’s look at two of the main challenges in a school setting.

1. INDOCTRINATION into anti-Christian beliefs. A Christian’s values are under constant attack by teachers who teach EVOLUTION. Those same teachers may openly teach ATHEISM and at the same time belittle those who believe in God and in creation. As you may know, this is especially true in college settings, but it’s also in public schools as well. In many schools they are also taught how to engage in SAFE SEX, and “abstinence” is not even an option. They are also exposed to other worldly “philosophies” such as HUMANISM. We are warned against these things in Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (NKJV).
2. PEER PRESSURE to conform to the world’s values and standards. In Romans 12:2 we are warned against this: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The unbelieving world wants us to “be like them.” Because of this desire they try to “squeeze us into their mold” of ungodliness and immorality. Today’s youth are confronted with liberal “values” including FORNICATION, HOMOSEXUALITY, DRINKING, ABORTION, and TRANGENDERISM. Many unbelieving young people consider these things as a “normal lifestyle” and if you don’t accept them as such you are looked upon as “narrow-minded” and “bigoted.” There is also pressure from peers to dress like them (even if you can’t afford what they’re wearing) and to talk like them (which often includes PROFANITY). These may seem trivial compared to the other things mentioned, but conformity to the world may start with these and then advance to the more serious acts of immorality.

How can they overcome these challenges? The world wants to indoctrinate our youth, but Christian parents need to “indoctrinate their children in the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:4 speaks to this: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but BRING THEM UP IN THE TRAINING AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD.” It is vital that Christian parents give their children a firm foundation by teaching them God’s Word. I have visited many Christian homes where there is no “family altar” (a time of devotion where the family studies the scriptures together and then prays together). Where this is the case, is it any wonder that their children fall victim to the influences mentioned above?

If we do “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” they will be armed with the Word of God when confronted with evil teachings by teachers, professors and fellow-students. But this alone will not give them the victory; they must also learn to walk in fellowship with their Savior and be determined to honor Him in all things. We have an excellent example of this in the life of Daniel. As you know, Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians to the city of Babylon where he was exposed to all the wicked teachings of that day. They gave him a new name that was linked with an idol and then they proceeded to indoctrinate Daniel into the world of idolatry. Think of it, Daniel (who was a teenager at that time) had been taken from his family, his home, and his country, from all the “support systems” that he had been blessed with while growing up. Yet his parents had given him a foundation in the Word of God, and Daniel was determined to “live the truth” that he had come to know and love. And thus we read in Daniel 1:8: “But Daniel PURPOSED IN HIS HEART that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.” If our young people are going to overcome the world in the school systems, they MUST have “purpose of heart.” As parents we need to instill this desire in them, as Barnabas did to the new converts in Antioch. “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and ENCOURAGED THEM ALL THAT WITH PURPOSE OF HEART THEY SHOULD CONTINUE WITH THE LORD.” If the Lord has their hearts, He will surely preserve them from the evil influences that they will encounter in the schools and universities of our land. He was able to keep Daniel faithful in the midst of the worldliest city of that day, and He will keep the young Christian who purposes in his heart to continue with the Lord. (250.9) (DO)