How can I shepherd my student’s heart
when I feel so overwhelmed by the world we live in?
This question is on my mind
because of my own struggle. Every where I turn I see evidence of our society’s
ignorance or outright denial of the Lord and His word. It breaks my heart and
grieves my soul. Then I remember that I am raising two children in this world.
How can I set the example? How do we turn the worldly current that daily crashes
against the moral foundation of our home?
Pray. Paul
exhorts us to pray unceasingly. (1 Thessalonians
5:17) Prayer should be as regular to us as breathing. Pray with elements of
thanksgiving, confession, intercession, supplication, spiritual warfare, praise
and adoration. The battle for your student’s heart will be won on your knees.
Teach. Let
the Bible be well known in your home. Scripture is the inspired word of God and
is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 4:16) Do devotions as a
family, not as a chore but as a joy. Open this life giving book and apply it’s
truth to your lives together.
Inspire.
Live a life worth following. Again, Paul tells us “Follow my example as I
follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Show your student what it means to love the Lord and to follow the leading of
the Holy Spirit. Live openly and honestly, let them see you wrestle with a
decision and seek the will of God. Let them see you read and obey the word of
God. Let them see you depend on God to move or resolve a situation. Let them
see you honor and praise God in the good times and bad times. Let them see you
grown in your faith, love, and dependency of Him.
These are troubling times we
live in. More and more, the moral decay of our fallen world points towards the
imminent return of Christ. We cannot become overwhelmed by the state of things
and stop pursuing and proclaiming Christ. If anything, the moral climate should
further motivate the work of our Lord and Savior! Lead your students in the
same holy work by praying, teaching and inspiring.
Anna Thoreson
Psalm
78:5-7
