Dear LCS Parents,
As one of your partners in the biblical nurture of your children, I have something I need to share with you.
I have been teaching children since 1975. Twenty-four of those years have been in Christian schools. Although many things have changed over these years, one theme continues to prevail. We are in a spiritual war for the souls of our children and young people.
I have seen the tragic success of the strategies and weapons used by the enemy of our souls. Satan and his forces have infiltrated every aspect of our culture. He is the father of lies and has deceived far too many of our covenant children.
Two tactics that concern me the most have been particularly evident in the three Christian schools I have served. The most dangerous and successful strategy has been to remove the fear of God from the consciences of the children. The enemy has done this in two clever ways.
First, he has used the doctrines of postmodernism that affect all of our culture. The basic premise is that there are no absolutes. Everyone can decide for himself or herself what they want to believe and how they want to live. There is no ultimate authority for faith and morality. We are all free to do as we please. This incredible philosophy has so permeated our culture that most Christian families are not even aware of the impact it has had on their children. In a war the enemy is most successful when he has been able to occupy the territory of his opponent. No area of our western culture has not been influenced by the ideas of postmodernism. The enemy has been extremely successful.
Second, another pernicious method of the enemyÕs success is to instil in covenant youth a false sense of security. If Satan can get us to believe we have nothing to fear from him he has succeeded in breaking down any resistance he would otherwise have. Why would our youth be wary of SatanÕs tactics if they believe that no matter what they do or believe theyÕll eventually be saved?
Covenant children, children of Christian parents, who have been dedicated to the Lord, must also become saved from their bondage to sin. Covenant children are not automatically saved children. Our Lord taught us how we are to become saved. Read His Gospel. Notice how many times Jesus teaches that in order to be saved, we and our children must repent from evil and turn to Him. Notice too, how often Christ teaches that it is His Spirit who turns a lost sinner into a saved sinner. Read the Old Testament. The same message was spoken to GodÕs covenant people, Israel: ÒTurn to me. Why would you die?Ó
SatanÕs second most successful tactic is linked to the first. He has succeeded in removing the fear of God from the consciences of our people and he has moved into our homes. If you were to answer the question, ÒWhat is the most powerful influence on your childrenÕs mind?Ó What would you say?
When we dedicated our children to the Lord at their baptism, we promised that GodÕs Word would be the most powerful guide for our children. We may have read Deuteronomy 6 or Psalm 78 or Ephesians 5 or Joshua 24 or John 15, or any applicable passage of the Bible.
It has been my sad observation that secular media has far greater influence on how our children and families live than does the Holy Word of God. Does your family spend more time reading the Bible or biblical devotional material or watching television? I am convinced that the single most successful weapon in SatanÕs arsenal has been the indiscriminate use of television.
Your children do not learn moral relativism from the Bible. They do not get filthy talk and blasphemy from reading devotional material. They donÕt receive language of homosexual insinuations from Scripture. They donÕt learn to tolerate violent and immoral entertainment from GodÕs Word. They havenÕt learned laziness and indifference from pages of GodÕs Law. They havenÕt gained the disrespectful, Òin your faceÓ attitude from Christ. They have had another influence in their lives.
I am convinced that this is a very urgent concern that you and we need to counter. It is incumbent upon us as spiritual leaders in our homes and school to equip our children and our students with the resources they need to resist the temptations of the devil. He is after their souls. We need to monitor the messages they receive into their minds. We need to hold forth the mighty weapon of offence given to the Christian family. Read Ephesians 6.
We need to become resolved to resist the onslaught of SatanÕs advances into our families by taking a stand like Joshua, ÒAs for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.Ó We have allowed secular culture to form our familiesÕ opinions for too long. We need to use GodÕs Word and resources solidly based on His Word to nurture our children in the way they should go. It is the ChristianÕs greatest delight to know the will of the Lord. Read the LordÕs Book and ask Him to bless the application of His Word in your family.
I hope and pray that this alarm will affect many families of our school to examine their use of secular media and be transformed by the Word of God. I pray that our children and we as their parents and teachers may come to the Saviour who has called us to Òwash yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes, learn to do good.Ó It is the Gospel call to the world, repent and believe, go, and sin no more.
May God the Father give us the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of His Spirit.
Henk Kleyn, Principal
Suggestions for how you and your family can spend time with GodÕs Word
*Set family goals for the week or month. For example, this month we are going to read all of the Gospels of Christ. Next month we will read the book of Genesis, etc.
*If you want to get started with something that reflects the concern of this letter, read 2 Timothy.
*Personally, set aside time every day to read the Bible and pray with the text of Scripture in mind.
*Set aside a half-hour or more every day with the family to read the Bible and talk about the passageÕs application to you and your children.
*Spend time between worship services on the LordÕs Day to talk about the sermon you have just heard and how it affects your family. Read the announced passage of Scripture before going to the second service.
*Ask your children at the dinner table or another convenient time what they are studying in Bible at school or what their chapel was about that week.
*Talk with your children about the ways of the Lord in your life.
*Choose good, God-honouring books to read together.
*Find Bible-based radio programs for music and stories which will enhance the understanding of Scripture.
*When you travel or play games, whatever you do together as a family, include conversations about God and His Word.
*When you make choices for entertainment or leisure ask the Lord to bless your choices. If the content or activity is incompatible with biblical choices, choose something that you can ask God to bless.
The more you do this together the more you will grow as a family community of true biblical love. It will be a blessing to you and all the people you meet.
