Over six billion people populate our world. Of them, nearly 285 million people called the United States of America their home in 2001, up nearly 3.4 million from 2000. By birth and immigration, the statistics ever increase. The face of America has changed with the multiplying ethnic populations. With such great numbers in our cities bustling in the areas of commerce, driving on the streets and super highways, bringing stress and strain in many places, it would behoove us to get along. The challenges arise both in private homes and in the public sector.  Yet, many people lack the basic skills to enjoy lasting relationships and live at peace with their neighbors. Consider the following trends that raise questions in this area.

It is estimated that female-headed households with children have grown during the past 25 years, standing at about 8 percent in 2002.

· The number of single adults living alone continues to rise, to about 27.2 million individuals. Particularly, those people in the age group of 25-44 years old, who would normally marry, are now marrying less.  The numbers rose between 1975 and 2002 of those singles that choose never to marry, from about 24 to 29 percent.

Some see the above statistics as evidence of the disintegration of the family. Further, take note of other facts that expose some glaring societal problems that scream for immediate action for solutions.

· About 50 percent of marriages end up in divorce.

· Child abuse has reached epidemic proportions. Let us beware that the dangers may not be so much the predator clothed in a trench coat at the school playground, but rather the child abuser lurking in the chat rooms of the internet.

· A new breed of youth criminal has come to light. Those known as “superpredators” terrorize, kill and maim their victims simply to become recognized, or even for no reason at all. Of death, they have no fear; of life, they have no appreciation.

Hear the timeless truth again; God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Can it be that there is a real need for understanding of how to make, build and sustain lasting, positive relationships? Let those who live in that vacuum of need speak. John J. DiIulio, in his Subcommittee document to the US Senate writes, “When I asked what was triggering the explosion of violence among today’s young street criminals, a group of long- and life-term New Jersey prisoners did not voice the conventional explanations such as economic poverty or joblessness. Instead, these hardened men cited the absence of people – family, adults, teachers, preachers, coaches – who would care enough about young males to nurture and discipline them. In the vacuum, drug dealers and “gangsta rappers” serve as role models.”*

DiIulio continues: “What I have termed juvenile “superpredators” are born of abject moral poverty,” which I define as the poverty of being without loving, capable, responsible adults who teach you right from wrong. It is the poverty of being without parents, guardians, relatives, friends, teachers, coaches, clergy, and others who habituate you to feel joy at others’ joy, pain at others’ pain, happiness when you do right and remorse when you do wrong.”*

Again, DiIulio declared empirical knowledge held by the Romans, “What society does to children, children will do to society.”* Of many possible solutions, two stand out to him: jails and churches.

Moreover, the horror is played out in a tragedy that shocked a city. In the fall of 2002, a 38-year-old man was bludgeoned to death by a group of children on the near north side of Milwaukee. The incident started when a 10-year-old gave an egg to another boy who egged the victim, who then confronted the egg-thrower. A fourteen-year-old boy stepped in and it turned ugly from there. There were at least 14 boys arrested after the killing.

Perhaps, had these boys heard the “old, old story” by a caring Sunday school teacher who would take an interest in them, their story may have been of hope, not horror.

From the earliest Biblical days, we see the importance of interpersonal relationships.  We also see the difficulties.  Cain killed Abel because he (Cain) could not resolve the issues of his relationships in a peaceful manner. Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship with God, and six deal with our relationships with others. The “Golden Rule” instructs us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Finally, our Lord commanded that we should love one another.

The following lessons lay a solid foundation and more for relationship building, with both God and other people.  They contain instruction in eight areas of prayer, consistency, holiness, unity, and renewal, among other very helpful subjects. Practicing these principles is sure to bring hope to those teachers and parents who work together to save the children from the horrors of the street, the pitfalls of the enemy, and to establish their children’s hearts for a lifetime of victorious living.

Rev. Jack W. Sword

Ordained Minister, U.P.C.I.

(With wife, Nancy)