Keeping Kids in the Kingdom

Abstract

Summary Mark Zarling’s essay addresses the spiritual challenge of retaining youth in the Christian faith. He begins with a sobering case study of apostasy and urges pastors and teachers to reflect on their own ministry and the youth they’ve served. Zarling emphasizes that all believers—young and old—are “kids” in God’s kingdom, and that spiritual preservation is God’s work through the Means of Grace. He critiques cultural trends, including postmodernism and societal breakdown, that threaten faith retention. Rather than relying solely on programs, Zarling advocates for one-on-one Gospel ministry, role modeling, and fervent prayer. He encourages workers to trust the power of God’s Word and believe in their calling. The essay concludes with hope, reminding readers that even the most wayward soul can be restored by God’s grace. Keeping kids in the kingdom is ultimately about keeping souls close to Christ.

—Summary generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)