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Teaching Children
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughThe spiritual education of children is the solemn responsibility of their converted parents, not the church. Parents are directly accountable to God for teaching their children, as it is their duty to instill His ways diligently, speaking of them at home, on the way, at bedtime, and upon rising. This responsibility cannot be shifted to the church, as it is a full-time obligation that requires personal example and constant guidance, something the church cannot adequately provide. Historically, programs like Y.O.U. and Y.E.S. inverted this priority by taking over the teaching role, often excluding parents, which led to negative outcomes and failed to produce lasting good fruit among the children. The church's role is to equip the saints, the converted parents, for their work, not to assume the direct education of the children. Parents must shape their children's character, understanding that they stand in a role akin to God's relationship with His children, molding them as He molds us. While occasional group activities for children within the church are acceptable, establishing dominant organizations for this purpose risks repeating past mistakes where such programs overshadowed parental responsibility and dominated church priorities. The key to success in rearing children lies in the parents' personal relationship with their Father in heaven, from Whom the necessary resources and attitudes flow to fulfill this sacred duty.
For the Children
Sermon by David C. GrabbeFor too many youths, God's way of life is not real because their parents are not fully convicted, but merely express a lukewarm preference for God's truth.
Sanctification and the Teens
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughYoung people in the church must realize that they are not invincible. Not only is God's law no respecter of persons, but also sanctification can be lost.
Surviving the Next Hit
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeHow can there be such a high attrition rate among the younger generation? How could 84 percent so easily give up the doctrines that they ostensibly believed?
Childrearing (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe family problems predicted for the end times in II Timothy stem from faulty childrearing practices. We must help prepare our children for the Kingdom.
Sanctification, Teens, and Self-Control
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughYoung people are responsible for the spiritual knowledge that they have learned from their parents, as well as the custodianship of spiritual blessings.
Wisdom for the Young (Part Five)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughSeeking God is a personal, private matter between God and the individual, but the result of the person's quest will be manifested in the way he lives.
Don't Cherry Pick God's Law
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersWhile many people like some of God's laws, they like to pick and choose, preferring a blend of their own preferences with some of God's laws added in.
You Are What You Choose
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughYoung people must make a choice in favor of God's will. We have the freedom of choice to set our destiny, and must bear the consequences of our choice.
Can a Believer Sanctify a Husband or Wife?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIf only God can call someone into His family, how is it possible that a believing husband or wife can sanctify a spouse or child (I Corinthians 7:14)?
Acts (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul, by circumcising Timothy, demonstrates a reluctance to flaunt his religious liberty, preferring instead to exercise cautious conservative expediency.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe may have guilty consciences like Joseph's brothers and self-pity like Jacob, but we can break through if we acknowledge God as Jacob and Elisha did.
Conviction and Moses
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur conviction reveals itself in living by faith. Moses is a stunning example of how a convicted Christian should live — with loyalty and faithfulness to God.