Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
The month of September brings with it a bittersweet feeling for me, for the first time in many years I will not have a class of youth members setting out on the course for Confirmation instruction. It is truly a pastor’s joy, especially for this pastor, to spend time with our younger members and learn from them as they spend time learning from me.
Over the years, I have learned so much from the many bright and energetic kids I have taught. I’ve learned that they truly do care about the things going on in our world. They care about the needs of our community and the wellbeing of the members of our congregation. Mostly, I have learned that, though they may be sometimes quiet on the subject, they truly love their Lord Jesus and are thankful for all God has done in their lives.
I remember those long-ago days when I sat in the classroom with my pastor. He was just as hopeful for me and my classmates as I have always been for those whom I have had the pleasure of instructing. Conversations around the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments tend to open up the minds of our youth. Reading the Great Bible Stories of the Old and New Testaments capture their attention and shed light on the mercy and love God has for His people. It’s truly a wonder to see the connections that are made as our kids grow in faith.
Yet, in all the marvel of my experiences with the youth of the Lutheran Church, one thing sticks out for me. Most children when they embark on Catechetical instruction do not know much about the Bible or the basics of the Christian faith. For a pastor, it’s a lot to pass on in one hour per week for sixteen months. I can’t help but wonder, how much faith formation is truly happening in the home? Do parents take the above passage from Proverbs at face value and act upon it?
Some of the children whom I’ve taught over the years now have children of their own. Some still keep in touch; I’ve officiated at some of their weddings; and I encourage them (and their parents) however I can; but I’m no longer their pastor. I handed that relationship over years ago, but truly, God has never released me from the promises I made to them when they were baptized. That same truth is for all of us to consider as we baptize the children of St. Jacob’s and celebrate with them as they become confirmed in their faith.
My prayer for Bryleigh, Copeland, MacKenzie, and Samantha is that they are thankful for the instruction they have received in Sunday school and Catechetical classes and continue to grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus. I’m sure they will, because as members of their church family, we will continue to encourage them as they continue to grow in years. That’s the promise we made to them on the day they were baptized, and God has not released us from that promise.
As an ordained pastor of the Church of Christ, it is my vow to continue to teach and instruct the children of God so they too may grow in faith and relationship with Christ. That’s all of you. I promise that I will continue to train up the children of God in the way they should go and pray that none will depart from it. God bless us all as we grow in faith and love together. That is what is on your pastor’s heart as we begin this new month together.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
