Timeless Truths in Uncertain Times – Christine Van Horn pt 2

Timeless Truths In Uncertain Times  Christine Van Horn pt 2 There is no doubt that our children today are facing things on a daily basis that we, their parents and grandparents, could not even fathom a few years ago, let alone when we were growing up. Family time is almost non-existent. The days of playing in the yard or playing board games at home are not even remotely like they were when we were growing up. Today, kids have their own smart phones when in elementary school. They spend their days, nights and weekends in the “online world.” They receive news, commentary and their values from “social media influencers.” Most of the time, the values being taught are not the values you would like instilled in your children or grandchildren. Our guest today is an expert in helping you to develop character traits, Godly, moral character traits, in your children and grandchildren and the life skills that go with them. Dr. Christine Van Horn is an author, teacher and speaker. She is the author of 6 books, with three of them focusing on teaching character and foundational values. Her most recent book is “Teach Your Children Timeless Truths in Uncertain Times.” She has been the team leader for a children’s program called “Character Club.” She has a Doctorate Degree in Theology and serves in the Children’s Ministry at Insight Church in Tinley Park, IL. She was also on the faculty of the International College of Excellence Bible College. She also has coaching program that brings all of these concepts together called, “Wisdom Decisions – Foundational Values.” Her book and program are for all families, but her emphasis and foundation is Biblical. She says her mission is to address the character problem issues facing families today. This is part two of a fabulous two part interview! I like one of the sections where you discussed, “Make Decisions.”  As an officer in the US Army Cavalry, I was taught and trained how to gather as much information as possible in the time allotted and to “make a decision” and go with it. General George Patton, Jr. had a quote that I still use to this day, “A good plan, implemented now, is better than a perfect plan tried later.” I lived according to that premise then and still do today. But our children are not being taught how to make decisions. They are being taught by influences in social media, public perception, etc. How can we change that mindset? You share that adults need to become life coaches or mentors to children. How do we instill a desire for the adults to change if they have been instilled with the modern psychology of what we have been discussing? Is this possible even if our children are grown and have children of their own? Would it be considered “meddling” if grandparents tried to instill these values into their grandchildren? Especially if these values were not being mirrored by the parents, teachers, etc.? As I said before, we are now into about the fourth generation of these declining value systems and lack of education. What steps can Christian parents or grandparents take to try and change the direction of our youth today? Is any of this able to be instilled in the church? I know that church attendances are down (especially since COVID) and, add to that, the tendency of many churches to skirt the issues when comes to preaching Biblical values, etc. in today’s cu