When I started seminary I had recently finished an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies that did not satisfy my curiosity about God. Though I had learned a great deal, a lot of the answers and thoughts I’d been given seemed incomplete. I needed more time. I needed more depth. I needed a different perspective. So, I went to seminary to take a deeper look at God and His Word.
I was excited to finally gain the answers to all of my burning questions.
I looked forward to the day when someone would ask me a deep theological question and I would confidently and exhaustively spout out my stance on the topic.
My experience at seminary was great. I loved delving in to theology and debating with my professors and classmates about the fine details of the Christian faith.
However, after an undergraduate and graduate degree in Bible and ministry, countless books, excellent teaching*, and personal research many issues still ended with a question mark instead of the once anticipated exclamation point.
One question led to more questions, and those questions led to more questions.
Ironically, I began to enjoy leaving things as questions! I found freedom in releasing the notion that I had to pick one answer to every theological question. (Though, I’m not sure this is what my seminary wanted me to learn!)
I was settled into this question filled mentality until my wife asked me a question that challenged my comfortable ambiguity. When I was speaking with my wife about some of my “God questions” she simply asked, “So, what are we going to teach our kids?”
Hmmm…. I hadn’t thought of that before.
Two of my children were born while I was in seminary and when they were infants they slept on my chest while I read. While I studied the Bible, the next generation was literally under my nose. How could I have not connected what I was learning in Seminary to what I was going to teach my children who were right there with me!?!?
When my wife asked me that question, I realized I did not know what I wanted to teach my kids about certain aspects of the Christian story.
That question forced me to examine the priorities of the Christian faith. It helped me identify the things I feel are most important. I waded through all I had learned to determine what I wanted to teach my kids about God, the church, and the Christian life.
Now, a few years later, I find myself serving the community as a school counselor in a large suburban public school. This experience has afforded me an excellent look at today’s youth culture and I am reminded daily of the need to pro-actively prepare my kids for the world they will encounter.
Every single day I realize the importance of training my children before they are trained by others.
Just recently I went to a seminar with some students who were learning about “Human Relations.” “Human Relations” refers to ensuring that all people have equal respect and opportunity regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. At the seminar, I sat in on a session about heterosexism led by two homosexual adults. The session leaders challenged the student’s attitudes about people in the “LBGTIQ” community. (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Intersex, Queer) Though most students identified themselves as straight, the group had an interesting dialogue.
This experience caused me to examine my desire for my kids. When they are in these situations how do I want them to respond? What do I want them to hold on to without compromise? What is acceptable for them question? How do I want them to interact with people of varying lifestyles?
In my role as a school counselor I have become keenly aware of the attitudes of youth and the messages they receive from school, entertainment, and each other. I work with students, and their parents, day in and day out to help them make sense of this world in which they live. I spend my energy trying to motivate students and help them become productive citizens of this broken world.
I am constantly exposed to the trials, challenges, and influences of today’s youth.
I see kids break down in my office because their parents place so much pressure on them to succeed. I see kids have anxiety attacks because they are afraid to go home to their abusive parent. I see kids compromise their values for the sake of peer acceptance. I see kids excel and dedicate their time to leadership and service. I see kids in utter confusion about what they believe and value.
I see parents who have lost hope for their struggling children. I see parents proud of the awards their child received. I see parents blame the school and make excuses for their child’s disruptive behavior. I see parents support and encourage their children to be their best.
I have walked a unique road. I have continually fostered a passion for studying God and following Jesus, yet I work with youth in the public sector each and every day. I enjoy questioning matters of theology, yet I want to clearly present the story of the Bible to my kids.
Walking this road has given me a distinct opportunity to clarify the priorities and perspectives of the Christian faith. I wrote this blog to share my journey and help others develop solid priorities and perspectives that will enable them to powerfully engage the world they encounter.
