We all know one. You know, those young kids who can rattle off questions at speeds that make most Indy drivers jealous. "Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet? What is dirt made of? Can worms smell? How do fax machines work?" While we encourage our young children to imagine and pretend, we often are rewarded with some very colorful, if not mind-boggling questions. Most of these questions we either answer quickly or simply, and then change the subject. Or, we use alternative strategies like food or videos. But what happens when our children begin asking us tough questions that have to do with matters of faith? What happens when our children come home from school and want to know how dinosaurs fit in with the Bible? Or what do we tell them upon discovering that their science class is studying evolution? Oftentimes, these important questions are left unanswered as our children are instructed to quickly "wash up and get ready for dinner." Unfortunately, today many parents find themselves reacting to questions and topics, rather than planning ahead. As Christian parents, we need to be proactive rather than reactive. We need to be on the front line, teaching our children the truth about the world around us as they grow, because if we don't, there is someone out there more than willing to teach them another version.

Possessing a belief in God is not enough. Our children (and grandchildren!) need to know how to defend that belief. The truth is, one day in the not-so-distant future, our children will find their faith being challenged. Their ability to handle that situation will greatly affect whether they live a life loyal to God or whether they abandon him and his teachings. There are literally thousands of evolutionists currently living who once espoused a belief in Christianity. Today they are apostates, placing more faith in science than the Word of God.

Picture for a moment the heartbreaking scene of two parents sending their young teenage son off to fight in a war. As tears roll down their faces, they cling to their son, wishing their hugs could somehow ward off the impending military assignment. Dad takes a minute to have a man-to-man talk about his son keeping himself safe, and mom reminds him they will be there to support him throughout his upcoming ordeal. There could be no mistaking that this family understands their son is going to war. And yet, how many families realize there is an ongoing war for their children's very souls? It is literally a fight--one that evolutionists, humanists, and skeptics have been waging for many decades. And, sadly, this is a war that has resulted in thousands of spiritual casualties. There are no tears for this send-off. There are no man-to-man talks regarding a son keeping himself safe. Tragically, many parents are so caught up in their day-to-day routines that they don't even realize their son or daughter has been "drafted." And so, many parents just stand by silently as their children go into battle for their souls. Parents, we need to change this attitude. If we are ever going to stop the casualties, we must change it. We must wake up and realize this is indeed a battle--a battle in which our children must know that we are going to fight for them until we draw our last breath. We must arm our children with the very best equipment for this war. As Christian parents and grandparents, we must arm ourselves with knowledge based upon evidence, and be prepared to tackle some of these "tough questions" with our children and grandchildren. And we must never be willing to give up.

In Ezekiel 22, we find one of the most troubling passages in all of God's Word. In reviewing the actions of Jerusalem, Ezekiel records that Jerusalem had violated most, if not all of the Ten Commandments. The vast army of Nebuchadnezzar was poised around the city, about to begin a two-year siege that would bring utter destruction to the city. In those days, the common practice to fortify a city was to build a giant wall. Enemies wanting to overthrow the city were then forced to concentrate their efforts on breaching a hole in one portion of the wall. But often, men of the city would step into the gap and fight to protect their homeland. They were willing to "stand in the gap." At the end of chapter 22, we learn that this is not the case with Jerusalem. God said: "'I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their heads,' says the Lord God." No one was willing to stand in the gap. Parents and grandparents, we must be ready, willing, and able to stand in the gap and fight for the souls of our children! Unrighteousness still abounds. The laws and commands of God are still being violated. Jerusalem needed an individual who could step forward and stand for the truth. The absence of that individual led to their ultimate destruction. Homes that are absent of individuals willing to stand in the gap today can expect a similar destruction. Have you heard the battle cry? Precious souls are at stake!