Our children and their grand children are in danger! We must take a stand as parents and do something to protect them, suit them with armor (Ephesians 6:10-18), and guide them as they enter a destructive and divided world.

George Barna recently released a book called The American Worldview Inventory 2021 in which he lists some frightening statistics** derived from major studies he conducted on Millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996:

• Only 4% of Millennials have a biblical worldview
• Biblical worldview has declined by 50% in the last 25 years
• 6 out of 10 Millennials consider a Christian to be someone who is a good person
• 56% of Millennials think they will go to heaven just by being good
• The largest growing segment of Millennials is the “Don’ts” who are people who don’t know if God exists, don’t care if he exists, and don’t believe that He exists.
• 3 out 10 believe the Bible is trustworthy
• 4 out of 10 attend church each month
• Only 33% read the Bible during the week – the lowest it has been in any generation
• 54% of Millennials suffer from anxiety, depression, and fear
• Only 25% believe life is sacred
• 66% believe in sex outside of marriage

How can parents help change the trajectory of the next generation?  Millennials have experienced more than any other generation, including mass school shootings, social media explosion, cyber bullying, pandemics, political turbulence, racial discrimination, natural disasters, and sex trafficking.  A majority of fathers are absent in the homes and mothers are working alone to raise their children.  Children are being neglected through excessive amounts of TV and social media in the home that teaches them a worldly perspective that their actions and appearance determine whether they will be loved and accepted.

So what can we do to change this disaster?  Parents can be coached, they can take classes to learn about ways to improve their family dynamic, they can take their family to church, and they can limit the use of devices to 15 years and older.  What if they turn the television off and share more intimate conversation with their children about their day?

I have listed some resources below to get you started on connecting more with your children and teenagers.  Consider starting these one at a time, one each week over the next 6 weeks:

• Visit www.famousathome.com for tools on parenting + take the EQ Assessment about your child so you know how to improve
• Visit https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language and take the love language quiz for you and your child.  Learn how they experience, appreciate, and show love.
• Limit their screen time to an hour a day.  This goes for television and tablets too.  Enjoy face to face conversations.  If you need help with dialogue, here are some conversation tips children love to discuss: https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Conversation-Starters_2020.pdf
• Cancel Disney channel and subscribe to PureFlix.com for Family Movie Night.  Your children’s Emotional Intelligence isn’t fully developed until they are 25 years old so put healthy images, language, and stories into their brain while you can.
• Do you have a teenager in the house?  More than likely they have a phone so ask them to download the Bible app and partner with them on a Bible study.  A great one to start with is SE Students: No Matter What Comes Through the Doors.
• Take walks with your family and only one person has a cell phone that is kept on silent.  Enjoy nature, God’s creation, and share your day with each other while breathing fresh air.  This is very rejuvenating and should become a habit rather quickly.

I’ve also listed some quick tips that are really easy to implement now.  Keep in mind, the more you pay attention to your child’s whole wellbeing: spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally – the better they will be as adults.  Make sure to take care of yourself first though!  If they see you as a model for “good health”, then they will want to follow in your footsteps. 

Quick Tips

• Eat together at the dinner table, not in front of the television.
• Ask “What was the highlight of your day?” and “What was one thing that was hard for you today?” when they get home instead of “How was your day?”
• Read to them at night; tuck them in, no matter their age, if they still live at home.
• Be an example for them to follow (stop cussing, pray with them, and show grace).
• Show love and affection to your children ASAP.  If you are not a hugger, it doesn’t mean they are the same way.  Children need nurturing and loving touch.

I leave you with my favorite parenting verse, Proverbs 22:6 that says “Train up a child in the way they should go; even when they are old they will not depart from it.”

Thank you for wanting to make a difference.

God bless!

**Source of data from “Christian Counseling Today”, Vol. 25, No. 3

Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.