USA (MNN) — Gun control is a hot topic in the United States following several mass shootings, but youth violence is pervasive.
No matter what happens on the legislative front, “you’re still going to have violence because people [seek] what’s in their heart, and what’s in their heart is not Christ,” Greg Yoder of Keys for Kids Ministries says.
Every day, 12 young people die at the hands of someone else. Causes vary widely, from gang affiliation to mental health issues.
On May 24, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos entered an elementary school classroom in Uvalde, Texas, similar to the one depicted here. He fatally shot 19 students and two teachers, and wounded 17 people.
(Photo courtesy of Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)
Real change starts in the home. “When we think of young people making these attacks, the question is, ‘where are they coming from?’ Almost always, they come from broken homes or dysfunctional homes,” Yoder says.
“We can’t fix any of that; the only answer is Christ alone.”
The Bible says a person’s heart is the wellspring, or source, of all life issues. Resources from Keys for Kids help young people guard their hearts by knowing and following Jesus.
“We produce two devotionals that are reaching kids and teens and families around the world to share Jesus with them [and] help them grow in their faith,” Yoder says.
“We’re sharing it (the Gospel) in a story-like form, similar to what Jesus did in the parables, and then pointing to Scripture to help young people apply everyday biblical truths to their lives.”
Request a free copy of Keys for Kids or Unlocked here.
“As you start reading these things and having this special time with your family, they’re going to get excited about it,” Yoder says.
“They’re going to begin asking questions, and you might not necessarily know the answers, but together, you can find them [in] the Word of God.”
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Aaron Burden/Unsplash.
