How much effort would you put into seeing that your children grow up with decent moral values? Most parents fear their children might get hooked on drugs as they grow up. If that happens, mothers and dads are doomed to live out some of their worst nightmares ; neglected school work, anger, defensiveness, depression, lying, stealing, sexually transmitted deseases, unwanted pregnancies, and problems with the law. (Did you know that three out of four of all prison inmates were involved in drugs?). If you're one of those parents who feel that you can only hope for the best, take heart because the answer is closer than you think.
If you read this column carefully, just like in the Readers Digest contests, you will find a bonus promise.
The best way to prevent substance abuse among young people is regular attendance at church. The national center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has just released the results of a survey of 1,000 young people, ages 12 to 17 and it shows this to be true.
*Only 13% of youth who attend religious services at least four times a month have smoked marijuana. 39% who attend religious services less than once a month have smoked marijuana.
*Only 8% who attend religious services at least four times a month smoked cigarettes. 22% who attend such services less than once a month smoked cigarettes.
*Only 19% who attend religious services at least four times a month drank alcohol in the last month. 32% who attend services less than once a month drank alcohol in the last month.
*Young people who get drunk at least once a month are twice as likely to say that religion is not important to their lives when compared to young people who do not get drunk.
*Young people who smoke marijuana at least once a month are twice as likely to say that religion is not important to their lives when compared to young people who do not smoke marijuana.
Church attendance is no guarantee of a healthy moral life for your children but, clearly, it is the best opportunity they have. Whatever your religious faith, it is bound to teach a life style that is moral. Why is this so? Because it strengthens families, it provides a community of support from fellow believers, and it encourages a person to find a right relationship with God.
Suppose, as a parent, you take advantage of going to church regularly. You can expect your children to become involved in congregational worship, Bible study, summer Vacation Bible School, youth work projects in the community, children and youth music programs, and clean recreational activies such as parties and sports. Now, compare such life experiences with a phone call that your child is in trouble at school-or from the police that he or she is in trouble with the law.
Now about the bonus that was promised; If you are serious about giving your children their best shot at a decent life style, you will reap this reward for yourself: A warmer, more satisfying relationship with your God, your children, your spouse , and a more positive feeling about life itself. Caution: You cannot expect full results if you simply send your children to church; you must take them. Soon you will find that you have become a member of our society's most rewarding fellowship. Saving your children is well worth the effort.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The Bible; Proverbs 22:6
©Copyright 1999 Dr. Stanley Watson and VideComp, Inc.
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Watson...
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace..." Isaiah 52:7.