Reaching Children and Youth

One of the most important reasons to use media in our worship services and teaching is children and youth. More than anyone the young have a need for sensory stimulation. The kids have never known anything but excellence in sound and video. They are also able to learn in environments that would seem distracting to us. They are able to type a term paper while surfing the internet, while talking on the phone, while listening to their favorite CD or MP3 and are able to comprehend what all is going on. The use of media is a very important tool to reach children and youth for Jesus Christ.
Why so much emphasis on children?

• Nearly half (43%) of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (2004)
• Two out of three born again Christians (64%) accept Jesus Christ as their savior before their 18th birthday. (2004)
• One out of eight born again people (13%) made their profession of faith while 18 to 21 years old. (2004)

Barna Research Group

The probability of someone accepting Christ as the Lord and Savior drops dramatically as they get older. Core values and beliefs are shaped in a young mind. Satan knows this full well. That is why videos that promote questionable sexual themes are being made to distribute in elementary schools, why children's books are being written with sexual themes, why children's programming giants Disney and Nickelodeon are major supporters of homosexual activism. That is just one issue. Our kids are bombarded with images and sound that tell them that they deserve this or that and many other instances of moral and religious relativism. We need to use this same media to reach the children for Jesus Christ. The battle is on for the minds of our children and we need to use the same tools that the opposition uses to let our children know that Jesus in the only way to peace, security and eternal life.