Think of the words "If nothing matters".  The word “matter” is used is this way:  “Something under consideration that demands attention.”  It is a perception in the mind or heart.  It brings uneasiness within one’s spirit.  As the title suggests, unless something matters, no gain will be accomplished. 

            It is interesting to read the account of the conversation between Jesus and two disciples of John the Baptist as recorded in John 1:35-42. One of those disciples is identified as Andrew.  Bible scholars believe the other to be John, the writer of the gospel bearing his name.  These two disciples gained the attention of Jesus as He asked them;  “What seek ye?”  What does that question mean?  I would suggest that Jesus is saying to them, “What matters to you?”  Or it might be worded this way:  “What is your purpose in following me?”  Jesus was interested in what matter in the minds and hearts of these two disciples of John the Baptist. 

            Let me repeat:  “Unless something matters, there is nothing to be gained.”  Something mattered to Andrew.  He first brought his brother, Simon, to meet Jesus.  He  found the lad having a lunch consisting of five loaves and two fishes, leading to the feeding of five thousand.. It was Andrew who brought the delegation of Greeks to Jesus in John 12.   Something mattered to Andrew and the result was people coming to Jesus.  Surely the education of children is something that matters to God.

What Does Research Show?

            In 2003, George Barna published a book entitled Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions.  He concentrated on children ages 9-13.  Examining specifically the spiritual heath of the study group, he offers the following conclusions:

1. Seventy-five percent of the study group believes that Satan does not exist, that entry into heaven is gained by good works, that children are born morally neutral, and that the great books of the world’s religions all reflect the same message.
2. Sixty-five percent of the study group believes that praying to deceased saints can have a positive effect on one’s life and that the Bible discourages sin buts says nothing about sin as an innate condition at birth.
3. Fifty percent of the study group believes that life has no meaning apart from hard work that will lead to a comfortable life, believes there are no absolute standards of right and wrong, believes that when Christ lived on earth He committed sin, and believes that the Bible does not condemn sexual sin.

  Does the education of children matter?  There are many Biblical references to the need for knowledge and wisdom.  One not often referenced is Ephesians 5:29 where Paul uses these two words: nourishing and cherishing.  The word “nourishing” speaks of maturity or the process of maturation.  The word “cherishing” speaks of caring enough about one’s physical being to plan for care and protection.  The preamble to the book of Proverbs speaks of a maturing process beginning with illumination and leading to the implantation of Biblical truth that is vital to becoming a mature adult.  God’s plan will develop a fear of the Lord, the beginning of knowledge.

            Does the nature of education provided children matter?  It does.  The Bible teaches the responsibility of an older generation to a younger generation.  No words are more penetrating that those found in Judges 2:10.  This verse reports that the generation of Joshua died.  The next generation is described in these ways: first, they knew not the Lord, and second, they did not know the works of the Lord.   Data from the Barna research project show that children of this generation do not know the Lord.  Neither do they know the works of the Lord.  Moreover, their minds tend to be closed to the insights to be gained from a Biblical perspective on life issues.  The nature of the education provided does matter.   

            Does the involvement of parents in their children’s education matter? There is an astounding consistency between the religious beliefs of adults and children. People who work with youth identify five core areas of growth that shape one’s life-view:  moral, spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual.  The Barna research cited above shows that there are multiple levels of influence upon children –the highest level being that of music, movies, television, publications and parents.  The second level is peers, schools, radio, teachers, colleges and siblings.  The third level is church and faith communities and extended family.  So, does the direct involvement of parents in the education of children matter?  It does.  And, if it does not matter, it is the children that suffer the  consequence.

            Conclusion:  Children are owned by God (Eze. 18:4).  The Word of God settles forever the importance of the education provided for them.  One can say this:  with God the education program for children matters.    It must also matter to parents, to church leaders, to Christian school leaders.  If it does not matter in both the mind and heart, there is nothing to be gained. 

Barna, George. Transforming children into spiritual champions.  Gospel Light: Ventura, California.  2003