RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP

“Is Pokemon bad?” a nine-year-old boy asked me one day.

My initial thoughts were, “Isn’t Pokemon dead?” (I thought this fad had passed, but I guess I was wrong.) At any rate, the kid needed an answer, so I said, “Yes! It’s evil!”

Of course I didn’t say that.

My answer came from Deuteronomy 18:10-12:

“Let no one be found among you who . . . practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells . . . Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

I read this verse to the child and I continued by saying, “Because God doesn’t want me or my family to get involved in witchcraft and casting spells, I don’t let my children play with Pokemon. Why don’t you go ahead and discuss this verse with your mom and dad? See what God would have you do as a family.”

What are we to do? We are to teach children to search the Bible and filter all they do with God’s Word.

As teachers, we will be asked these questions all the time. We can do two things: we can write up a long list of which toys they can or cannot play with, or we can teach them principles from God’s Word. The list of “unacceptable” toys will be endless, and this can ultimately lead to Pharisaical legalism. But as we teach them principles from God’s Word, we are also preparing them for life as they will eventually be confronted with many different “toys for the big boys.”

God bless you as your reach the next generation to change the world.