About a year ago I was informed of a horrifying condition in the youth of our nation. I had been aware of the statistical rise in people “hooked on pornography” due to its easy access via the Internet and like many of you I really didn’t worry too much about it because it wasn’t a problem for My family or me. Then one day Shelly, my wife came to me and told me about Oprah Winfrey’s show that day. She sited the rise in pornography as a direct cause in a rise in teens casually participating in oral sex. Shelly told me that on the show they had two mothers and their children on the show. These two teens both stated that they saw oral sex as “No different than kissing”. As Shelly told me this I was stunned! I asked a couple of young men in their early 20’s about the validity of this story and they both told me that it was a pretty accurate assessment of their peers.

I knew immediately that I wanted to take a stand and teach a series concerning this situation to the kids in The Link (our Jr. High Program) in order to help Godly children sidestep this situation. However, as I prayed about it and talked to a couple of friends I felt “checked” about directly confronting the situation. I was reminded of the passage in Romans 4:13,14 that (loosely paraphrased) says, “The strength of sin is in the law and where there is no law there is no sin”. I feel that if I directly teach regarding that situation they would be more likely to be drawn to it. (Plus I would be diving into a topic for which I would need to get parental permission, for which I just don’t have time.) Instead, I taught them about Romans 12:1-3 about being a living sacrifice and being transformed by the word. I never directly mentioned anything to do with the afore mentioned story in any way.

I continued praying and preparing to teach a series for Jr. High kids about relationships God’s way. I am blessed to announce that beginning this week I will start that series on Thursday. I will be teaching about relationships…not specific acts of sin. I will be teaching about a relationship with Jesus being priority one before a boyfriend or girlfriend. I will “lay down the law” to guys about esteeming her more highly than themselves, “sacrificing themselves”, not demanding submission from her. I know this sounds a little old for these kids to some, but I personally believe that if solid biblical relationship principles are taught at this age the result would be a higher abstinence and in the long run a lower divorce rate in their generation. When I announced that I would be teaching this to the kids one of my teacher sponsors confirmed the great need for instruction in this area to the kids.

So, if you are a parent of kids in our Jr. High program, please know I can be trusted not to cross any lines you don’t want crossed. I am also asking your help by praying daily for the kids and myself. Please pass the word to any Christian family you know who has children at Union 6th & 7th Grade Center to encourage their son or daughter to be at The Link in January for this series. This could be the most important thing I have ever taught them. (Aside from a message of salvation.) This will be a stretch for both them and me but it is a stretch I am willing to make since the potential long term effect on a their generation is so great. (This series will be taught at two other local Jr. Highs this semester.)

My intent with Kids for Christ USA is that the generation of kids we’re reaching be eternally known as the revival generation and I think we’re off to a good start.

In His Service,
Robert C. Heath