Are We Preparing Ourselves with Truth?

As a mom, I’ve discovered that answering questions is inevitably a part of my job description. Especially the questions that begin with “why.” 

Some days I’m pretty sure if I tallied up the number of questions my son asks me, it could quite possibly be in the hundreds. And yet, there are many times that I have no answers for his questions. When I am uncertain about an answer and tell him I don’t know, he will quickly respond, “Well, just google it, mom.”

In all honesty, the fact that our kids have a vast array of answers and opinions at their fingertips via google and the internet is alarming. I often think of how kids are being fed opinions and views that are far from the truth of God’s Word and that has put an urgency in my heart to prepare myself, in order to help my son be prepared and equipped to recognize the lies of the enemy.

While reading in the book of Acts recently, the following passage jumped out at me.

Acts 8:30-31 says, “Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet.  “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So, he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

As I read that passage, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me about preparing myself so that I can help my son be prepared. I truly want to be able to help my son and the upcoming generation understand the truth of God’s Word, because it goes without saying, the world is doing everything possible to make them doubt that truth. I want to be able to invite them to sit with me and help them as I explain the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The definition of the word PREPARE according to Merriam-Webster.com is to make ready beforehand  for a purpose, use, or activity.

 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.”

1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

I love how both passages tell us to be prepared in the Word, and to always share with patience, careful instruction, gentleness, and respect.

The amount of information that is readily available to this generation is alarming. With cell phones, the internet and social media, news media, and so much more, we as parents must strive to be alert and watchful and aware of what our kids are bombarded with on a daily basis. We must strive to always be learning ourselves and preparing ourselves, by not closing our eyes to the reality of what these kids are faced with. We must also allow our kids to ask the hard questions and strive to be patient and gentle with them as we seek to guide them with careful and biblical instruction.

As I was thinking about how inadequate I felt as a parent in this generation, and how I grew up in such a different time than what my son is growing up in, the Lord graciously reminded me that although many things have changed over the years, His Word remains the same. It is alive and active and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105), and it’s our sword to fight with (Ephesians 6:17).

If you’re like me and feel inadequate in the scriptures, but have a desire to learn more, I highly recommend that you surround yourself with those who can help you learn.

As disciples of Jesus, we should be striving to study God’s Word, in order to learn God’s Word, in order to teach God’s Word to this generation!

I love how in Acts 18:24-26 you see Apollos was described as a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the scriptures. It says he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only of the baptism of John, so Priscilla and Aquilla invited him to their home and explained to him the ways of God more accurately.

Did you see that Apollos was described as a learned man with a thorough knowledge of scriptures, but he went to the home of Priscilla and Aquilla and allowed them to explain the scriptures more accurately? We must intentionally spend time with people who will help us grow in our knowledge of Truth. (John 17:17)

No matter our age, let’s never stop learning. Let’s get with others who can teach us and speak life into us, so we can do the same for this generation. Let’s learn to “walk with the wise and grow wise” (Proverbs 13:20) and prepare ourselves to be able to “give the reason for the hope we have in us” (1 Peter 3:15). Let’s prepare ourselves with Truth! (John 17:17)