The Untied Church of God has published new guidelines for a new youth educational instruction program, "UCG Youth Instruction Program—A Deuteronomy 6 Model."
Like all COG's these days, the UCG is not able to keep it's youth from remaining tithing members once they hit college age. Most leave because of the hypocrisy they see daily or have easily proven that the law is NOT to be kept, or that they are just plain sick of religion.
The following quote from the United News is stirring up a lot of talk on various COG related sites. What has struck many people is the list of things that people can do to entice children to stay involved, starting at a young age. What many are noticing is that the list sounds much like what pedophiles do to groom children into becoming compliant. While I know that was not UCG's intent, it still is rather creepy! Nothing makes a COG feel more successful though than having brain-numbed compliant children and adults.
One thing that is painfully obvious is that no where in the list of points below is there ANY reference to Jesus. They just cannot handle the guy! If they did, they would have to admit their Old Covenant silliness is wrong.
While God clearly lays the primary responsibility for teaching children on the parents, He also indicates that the Church community at large must be involved in passing on His ways.As a church, we are assessing how to be more effective with youth instruction by emphasizing a Deuteronomy:6:6-7
“parents first” model, where the Church supports and supplements parents’ teaching, but does not supplant their responsibility.
So how can you as a Church member be involved and help pass on God’s way of life to the children in your congregation?
Here are some tips:
• Get to know every child’s name and have conversations with him or her.
• Make a point to acknowledge, smile, talk to each child every Sabbath or at other times when you see them. It is important for them to know you care about them as an individual.
• Get to know one thing about him/her that they enjoy doing.
• Ask how school is and what do they want to do when they grow up.
• Find out who their favorite Bible hero is.
• Find out what their favorite Bible scriptures or stories are. Why do they relate or like those the best?
• Where are they going for the Feast and what are they looking forward to learning and doing?