Before you accuse me of blasphemy for that title, I want you to know that phrase grieves me. That is a real question from a teenager whose parents profess faith in Jesus! They have neglected to teach their son the most important truths in the universe and until someone does, the wrath of God is upon him and he is in danger of perishing. His parents have failed.

The lack of parenting has escalated to epidemic proportions in America. Parents neglect their God given role of authority and stewardship over their children and instead find it easier to be “the cool dad” or merely “friends” with their children. The result- generations of young adults who lack a moral compass, don’t believe in truth and think that spirituality is a hobby.

Don’t believe me? Last Monday, the USA TODAY newspaper released details of a study published this week on the decline of faith in America. The results were nothing short of horrifying! The number of people who profess no faith whatsoever has nearly doubled since the 1990’s and this demographic now outranks nearly every major denomination. Furthermore, the paper quotes Barry Kosmin, one of the researchers conducting the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) as saying, “"religion has become more like a fashion statement, not a deep personal commitment for many." Do you hear that? Young adults consider the eternal Lord Almighty a fickle trend, the cross of Christ a “fashion statement” that is here today and gone tomorrow.

I hold their parents mostly responsible; you may disagree with me. The most important responsibility of any parent is to teach their children the ways and instructions of the Lord. Repeatedly, the Lord commands “teach them diligently to your children”. The command given wasn’t merely for the propagation of story time. It was given because it is the only way to eternal life. Truly, eternal life and death hang in the balance. Being silent or allowing our children to learn it on their own isn’t an option. Deuteronomy 6:1-9, “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them. That it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

If you are a parent, you have been given an unimaginably great blessing. Honor the Lord and love your children by teaching them about the Lord, strong and mighty, holy and just, who sent His son to reconcile your son or daughter unto himself by the shed blood of Christ. Knowledge and love for the Lord is the greatest gift you could ever want to impart to your children. Let not the days of their youth be shaped by Wii and Hanna Montana.

Parents, be diligent in teaching your children and they will be blessed (Proverbs 2:1-8) and the Lord spare you the pain of your child asking, “What is that guy doing hanging up there on the plus sign?”