Hello Eve,

I was so upset when I got hold of a copy of the latest instructions to RE teachers ( the volunteers who teach weekly scripture classes in schools). I realise that we are blessed to still have the opportunity to educate the children in the Christian faith, unlike the States, but we should fight to hold all the ground we can. Did you realise that in England, Christianity has to be taught in the schools by Law? The reason for this is given in their guidelines - society is founded on Christianity, and the Westminster system of law was formulated on Biblical principles. Australian laws have, so far, held to the same roots.

Every single major denomination was named on the inside of the front cover of this booklet. Even representatives from the Brethren, the Pentecostals and the Baptists.

Can this be a sign of the times? I do hope not. This letter is going to the Christian newspapers here, and if I think it wise after getting feedback from them, also to the secular ones. It seems to me that although it won't win me anything in the popularity stakes, public discussion may lead to some more people finding New Life. I know that there are many church goers who have never had the idea of relationship pointed out to them, as well as those who have never set foot inside a church door.

TO THE EDITOR - Church News.

Extract from Section 7a -Handbook for Accredited Christian Religious Education Teachers. 2001 "We avoid giving opportunity for public commitment".

Although there seems to be room left in the above statement for Scripture teachers to allow pupils to make private commitments, several RE teachers have indicated to me that they truly believe that it would be wrong to show their students the way into a relationship with Jesus.

Can anyone enlighten me ? Does this guideline imply that it is now undesirable to introduce children to the foundational concept of making a commitment to Jesus Christ? I have been informed by a senior member of the Commission that this is so. I have also been told that many volunteers who give their time to teaching Religious Education now believe that to inform children of the sinner's prayer and demonstrate the way to make such a commitment is regarded as abuse of the rights of children, and of the trust of their parents.

How can this be? The parents have expressed a wish to have their children taught the Christian faith, and can at any time withdraw their children from the programme. Surely to leave out such a crucial part of Christian teaching is an abuse of the trust parents have in the institution of the church.

Refusing to facilitate children coming to Jesus in the fullest way must be the real abuse of children's rights .......

" Let the children to come to me, and forbid them not"

Jesus said

"You must be born again" (He did not say MAY or MIGHT ).

Those of us who have followed His directions in this can attest to the wonderful assurance and changed lives that follow from making a wholehearted covenant with Him. Some may argue that there is no reference to being "Born Again" in the Bible.

" Unless you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Romans 10 verse 9)

Jesus is LORD. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the sole arbiter that matters in this world, and in the world to come. By making Him Lord we turn our lives over to him, and promise to obey the laws of God as far as we can understand them. Without the help of the Holy Spirit even adults get it wrong. How much more do children need Him, and where will they hear in this day and age, unless they hear it at school.? Sure, some will get the message at their church or Sunday school, but how many of today's children go to church, or will hear it from their parents, or broadcast on children's TV?

Extract from Examiner newspaper, October 2001.

Statistics show :-" 85% of Christians were saved between the ages of four and fourteen.."

Unless God brings revival, I believe that the majority of children in this day and age will not know of the difference between Religion and Relationship if they do not hear it in school.

Perhaps scripture teachers can tell how they themselves found the Lord. By remembering and demonstrating their own prayers, they can show the children such a thing is possible . After hearing the prayer, students could be invited to take the opportunity of praying quietly in their heads as she says it again.. This could be done in the classroom or later. This is not a public commitment. Children can be encouraged to share what they have done with their RE teacher at some other time.. I think that might fulfill all the necessary guidelines.

It seems to me that many of us think it is not our responsibility to make a noise when there is something out of line. The Word tells us that if we have a problem with someone, we should first go to them alone, and speak about the problem. If they cannot see it, then we take one or two witnesses.

Expand this into society, and enlarge the concept to church and state governing bodies, and you can see that there is a responsibility which the Lord requires us to carry out. If we are wrong, speaking what we consider to be the truth in love should not do any harm. If we are right, and no-one listens, at least we have been obedient. Read how St Paul handled similar situations in your Bible. He told us to "preach the gospel in and out of season".The gospel is Good News. The Good News is that Jesus paid our ticket into a relationship with God, and also how we can personally receive that ticket. (By giving ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and allowing Him to change our lives..)

Return to top Return to HOME PAGE

John 3:v3 "You must be born anew"