Reaching The New Generation With Truth On Hard Topics: It”€™s evident that the next generation is in need of help! Today we have special guest, David Pate, on to talk to us about how to do that! The irony is that adults complain about the next generation, but when you think about it, who taught them? Tune in now to learn more!

Air Date: 02/05/2019

Guest: David Pate

On-air Personalities: David Barton, Rick Green, and Tim Barton

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Transcription note:  As a courtesy for our listeners’ enjoyment, we are providing a transcription of this podcast. Transcription will be released shortly. However, as this is transcribed from a live talk show, words and sentence structure were not altered to fit grammatical, written norms in order to preserve the integrity of the actual dialogue between the speakers. Additionally, names may be misspelled or we might use an asterisk to indicate a missing word because of the difficulty in understanding the speaker at times. We apologize in advance.

Faith And The Culture

Rick:

You”€™ve found your way to the intersection of faith and the culture. It’s WallBuilders Live and we’re here at WallBuilders talking about the hottest topics out there. We’re talking about the things that impact the culture, the things that are in the news, and how do we look at those things from a biblical, historical, and constitutional, perspective. What do we look for in terms of our resources as we’re trying to figure out what’s the right thing to do in our cities, in our communities, in our families, in our churches, in our state, and our nation. That’s what we discuss here on WallBuilders Live and we appreciate you joining us today and listening.

We’re having our conversation with David Barton. He’s America’s premier historian. He’s the founder of WallBuilders. And Tim Barton”€™s with us. He’s a national speaker and pastor and he’s the president of WallBuilders. My name is Rick Green, I’m a former Texas legislator. And the three of us all appreciate you joining us today on the program.

We also invite you to join us online and you can do that at WallBuildersLive.com for the radio site. It’s got a list of our stations across the country where we can be heard, it’s got archives of the program so you can listen to some of the interviews, or Foundations of Freedom Thursdays, or Good News Fridays, for the last few weeks.

And then also go to WallBuilders.com where we have all kinds of great tools to equip and inspire you to be a good citizen, to train your children and people in your family, to have a Sunday school class, we”€™ve got a curriculum for that, all kinds of great tools for you to use.

And then the last thing I want to ask you to do before we jump into our conversation for today is consider going to WallBuilders.com for a contribution today. We are a listener supported program, so it’s only possible because of people just like you. And those contributions go a long way. It allows us to add stations where we can be heard across the country which means we get this good news into the hands of more people. It allows us to train leaders, train pastors in Washington D.C. at our pastors briefings, train legislators and our legislator program, and even to train young people as we’re going to be talking about today.

Focusing On The Next Generation

Rick:

Well, guys one of the things we definitely focus on a lot is the next generation. It’s a big part of our responsibility to save our Republic and to keep the Republic alive. We”€™ve got to pass the torch effectively. So, today we’re gonna have David Pate back with us to talk about how to do that with millennials. We’ve done several programs already this year, 2019, discussing this because it is so important.

Tim:

Yeah, it really is something that obviously is within our polling statistics. It’s so evident that the next generation is in need of help. It’s easy to get frustrated with the fact that they’re not where we want them to be. They don’t know what we want them to know.

And we’ve pointed out before – I think– in my mind it’s a great irony that so many adults get frustrated with the next generation, and talk about how dumb they are, and what they don’t know. And I always want to go, “€œOkay, pause, who taught them?”€ The next generation – they’re not teaching themselves, they did not teach themselves.

So, the fact that previous generations can point to the people that they were supposed to be the teachers, and the trainers, and the disciple makers of, and say, “€œLook how dumb they are.”€ To me it’s like, “€œWell, then that means you did a terrible job.”€ Although, at this point it doesn’t make sense to point fingers in either direction.

As a leader, it doesn’t matter who messed up before you, you’re in a position where you go, “€œOkay, well, we have a problem. How do we fix it? What do I do now?”€ Forget about whose fault it was. This is the issue we’re dealing with. How do we solve it?

How Do We Reach The Next Generation?

Tim:

So, the question arises how do we reach the next generation? How do we connect with them? And, Rick, we do Patriot Academy every summer. Dad, as we’re doing the leadership training program working with young people every summer, this is something very much dear to our heart trying to reach next generation.

And one of the guys we work with at WallBuilders who is one of the best at reaching the next generation is David Pate with what he does up at Burke Hill in the summer, and High Point leadership camp, and so many things he does. He is so good at connecting with the next generation. So, we thought if we need to know how do we solve the dilemma, how do we reach the next generation, we need somebody that”€™s actually really good at this, right? If you want marriage counseling let’s find someone who’s been married, and has a great marriage, and they’ve done it for 50 years, let’s ask them. We want to find someone who’s really good at what we’re trying to do.

And David Pate is one of the best at connecting and reaching the next generation. So, we thought, you know what, let’s call David, let’s get him on the line, and let’s ask him what’s the best way to reach the next generation, help present them with truth, to present them with how life is supposed to operate as opposed to so much of the ideology they’re embracing which simply doesn’t work.

Rick:

Stay with us through the break, folks. You don’t want to miss his interview with David Pate. You’re going to learn from this I can promise you and you’re going be able to use the information with young people and millennials, but frankly, with everyone. I always learned from David Pate, I enjoy having him, and we’re going to get a chance to talk to him when we come back from the break. So, stay with us. You’re listening to WallBuilders Live.

Bring A Speaker To Your Area

Tim:

Hey, this is Tim Barton with WallBuilders.  And as you’ve had the opportunity to listen to WallBuilders Live, you’ve probably heard a wealth of information about our nation, about our spiritual heritage, about the religious liberties, and about all the things that make America exceptional.

And you might be thinking, “€œAs incredible as this information is, I wish there was a way that I could get one of the WallBuilders guys to come to my area and share with my group.”€

Whether it be a church, whether it be a Christian school, or public school, or some political event, or activity, if you’re interested in having a WallBuilders speaker come to your area, you can get on our website at www.WallBuilders.com and there’s a tab for scheduling. If you”€™ll click on that tab, you’ll notice there’s a list of information from speakers bio’s, to events that are already going on. And there’s a section where you can request an event, to bring this information about who we are, where we came from, our religious liberties, and freedoms. Go to the WallBuilders website and Bring a speaker to your area.

We Have To Pass The Torch Effectively

Rick:

Welcome back. Thanks for staying with us here on WallBuilders Live. Always good to have David Pate back with us from Christian Ministries Academy in Hot Springs. Great speaker at Patriot Academy last few years as well. And I just appreciate your work, David. Thanks for coming on today.

David Pate:

Thanks for having me, Rick. Always love being here with you guys.

Rick:

Hey, you work with young people year round. Not only it at the school they’re in Hot Springs, but the leadership training programs you guys do in the summer. You’ve watched kind of this trend of millennials, and the generation coming after them, and you’ve seen kind of the lack of a worldview that’s out there. Let’s talk a little bit about how to reach millennials. We have to pass the torch effectively to the next generation, that means instilling truth. But what are we actually facing in terms of where they come from and a lack of foundation from what you’ve seen?

David Pate:

Well, first off, I”€™ve got to tell you – I”€™ve got to admit – I’m the beginning of the millennials. I’m right there in 1980. So, I’ve grown up with the Millennials and this is kind of– I”€™m the beginning of this thing.

But, Rick, what I see is we get frustrated with this generation. And I love Ecclesiastes. There’s nothing new under the sun. There’s always things that each generation has to work on. And I think if we would really inspect each generation we would see that. And we get so mad that they aren’t perfect already and it’s going to take time for them to grow. But we have to be willing to mentor them.

It”€™s Our Fault

David Pate:

And I was listen to this guy speak the other day, his name was David Barton, and he said– he had a really good observation, he said, “€œWe raised this generation.”€ And he said, “€œSome of the reason they are where they’re at is it’s our fault.”€ They just– what I’m seeing, Rick, is they want to be mentored and developed. And I think we’ve stopped doing that. I think we have a real lack of leadership in our culture today.

We have people in leadership positions, but actually knowing how to lead. And I think that’s something we look in the mirror and work on. Are we repelling the next generation? Or are we drawing the next generation into truth? I think with a lot of the frustration we’re really repelling them. And I think people are amazing if we’ll take the time to help them realize it.

Rick:

But, David, it’s much easier to just complain, right?

David Pate:

It is.

Rick:

It’s just easier to say, “€œLook, here’s the jam. They’re just too difficult, or they’re just too whatever.”€ Because we want to do things the way we did it, the way we were raised, the way we have kind of gotten used to. And to take the time to actually analyze the situation, and study people, and listen to them, and figure out what’s going on in their life, their minds, and in their background, that’s a lot more hard work than just using a cookie cutter system we’ve been used to.

David Pate:

That’s it. And we have to understand the difference between style and morality. In the millennials, there’s a lot of styles, a lot of things that previous generations don’t care for. But we have to choose our battles and make sure that we’re not fighting style and make sure that we’re looking at the meat, and the morality, and truth, and things that really matter.

And I think sometimes, like you said, because they’re not just like me then I’m fed up or I’m frustrated. Instead of let’s focus on the common ground and let’s focus on what’s really important. And I think that you hit it right on the head – hey, they’re not just like me, so I’m frustrated with them, or they’re wrong. You know what? Is that style? Or is that morality? I think we have to differentiate between the two of them.

What Are The Main Issues?

Rick:

Interesting. Very interesting. Alright, well, where do you think the kind of main, oh, I don’t know, pressure points, or the main– the key areas where they have missed the morality and are wrong on the issues that we can correct if we do it the right way.

David Pate:

I think truth is a big one. I know you hit that. What is true? What information is true? Because we have a lot of information out there. Whether you”€™re looking at Snapchat, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, we could go on and on with all the different outlets that this generation, my generation, Gen Z, all that they’re inundated with. And usually who gets to them first is the one they believe. I think that’s all of us. Whoever gets the gossip to us first, or as this generation would say, “€œSpills the tea first”€– that’s gossip nowadays.

But who whoever gets to us first is the one we generally believe. Of course, Proverbs talks about that – we believe the first one in court till another one comes and tells us a different story.

Rick:

Yeah.  

David Pate:

So, I think the first thing is we have a truth issue, so we have to help them navigate truth. And what previous generations want to do is tell them, “€œHere’s what you need to do and this is why, and this is–“€ And millennials struggle with being told. They’ll accept it if you have a relationship with them.

And I think that is what is big for millennials is connection. They want to connect, they don’t want to be a robot, they don’t want to be barked at or talked down to. And they really actually relate to anybody who relates to them. So, we have to have a relationship with them. But in that how you speak to them, to me, is very important. Asking questions–

Rick:

Okay, wait, wait, wait, before you give me the how to speak to them, I just want to emphasize what you just said. I have noticed this. I couldn’t put my finger on it, I couldn”€™t articulate it like you just said, so I just want to repeat it. They struggle with being told. So, just telling them, “€œHey, this is what it is. This is what you need to do.”€

I have seen that. There’s like just an immediate eyes glaze, or just repel, or they don’t even want to be around you anymore. Versus they love relationship, they want relationship, they want to have the connection. And if we invest in them, then we have the opportunity to actually influence them – not just yell at them.

So instead of just feeling good because we told them, we’re actually influencing them and seeing changes in their life and in their actions because there was relationship and we connected first. So, now, how do– if we’re willing to invest, and connect, and have the relationship, then how do we actually communicate that influence? That”€™ where you were about to go.

David Pate:

Yes, you want to– and you have to a relationship. Once you have it, asking questions is what I have always found and I think it’s brilliant actually. I like to ask things like, “€œWhat’s the goal?”€ “€œHow do we achieve this?”€ “€œIs that working?”€

So, let’s take an issue – socialism – very popular today amongst millennials. So, ask them– before we get in an argument and attack, or start going after that, “€œOkay, well, what’s the goal?”€ “€œWhy socialism?”€ “€œIs that working?”€ “€œWill that get what we’re wanting?”€ “€œWhat does that actually look like?”€ Because defining terms– we talk about socialism, you and I think of Hitler, Stalin, we think of all of the–Mao–

Rick:

All the failures.

David Pate:

All the failures.

Rick:

Yeah.

Because We Don”€™t Know Truth

David Pate:

But they’re actually not even saying that. But because we don’t know truth, because we don’t really know background and context, the word “€œsocialism”€ doesn’t even mean what it means to you and I. So, it’s important that we ask questions, that we define terms, that we don’t get them on the defensive as far as emotionally defensive, but that we get them answering these questions.

And what it does is, see, from what I’ve understood, what I’m learning is, they don’t know how to research like you and I do. Whether that’s quality of education today or whatever that might be they, don’t have these kinds– they have all kinds of information, but the tools on how to get from point A to point B, to how to get the right answer, is not something that they’re naturally good at.

Rick:

Yeah.  

David Pate:

So, these questions helps them discover truth, it helps them dig. And just so much information out there, all these memes. They see a meme, they see a five second blurb, and that’s the gospel to them, that’s truth to them. When a five second blurb, or a meme, there’s no death to that at all. And we have to ask questions to get them to go deep, go deeper than just one thing.

Rick:

Exactly, yeah. So, it’s like you use the questions, and the conversation, defining terms, and, really, trying to figure out how they’re processing that information, to basically– and they wouldn’t appre– guide them is the word I’m thinking of.

David Pate:

That”€™s right.

The Key

Rick:

But in a way you’re really helping them get there on their own. It’s almost more like a Socratic method of teaching where you’re just constantly asking those questions and then responding to their questions–

David Pate:

Absolutely.

Rick:

–instead of just– I hate to use this in a negative way, but preaching at them. Or just  lecturing them, right? Instead you’re really having discussions with them. That’s the key.

David Pate:

What’s crazy is that’s exactly what Jesus did. If you look at what He did, it– if we would only just remember that He was kind of the greatest teacher. But He always asked questions and it is so important that we learn how to do that.

One of the things, Rick, that I see is people think millennials don’t want to learn. And I think that’s the opposite.

Rick:

Yeah.

David Pate:

It’s just we haven’t engaged them in a way that draws them into want to learn. And this Socratic method – it works.

Rick:

You just made the point, I wasn”€™t even thinking this direction. But, clearly, if that’s what Jesus was doing. What you”€™re saying, David, is this will– this actually works with anyone. This isn’t just for millennials, this is probably a good communication change that we all need to make in all of our relationships. This is really good.

David Pate:

It is. And when you do that, when you ask questions, it helps. It helps to know where the other person is at.

Rick:

Yeah.

It Goes Back To James

David Pate:

And it goes back to where James said, “€œBe quick to listen, slow to get angry, and slow to speak.”€ That’s all you”€™ve got to do right there.

Rick:

Amen.

David Pate:

Listen, don’t talk, and don’t get emotional. And there is how you have a conversation with somebody.

Rick:

I’ve actually, believe it or not, I”€™m listening to a book right now, it”€™s not even– it is a kind of a secular book, but it’s on negotiation. And one of the main keys this guy stresses is that if you’re listening, you’re actually in control of the conversation. So, to all those parents out there that are afraid of doing this, you”€™re like afraid where your teenager is going to go, you”€™ve got to show them where it is, if you’re actually asking questions, and letting them talk, and you’re listening, you’re actually controlling the conversation the first placing and guiding it in in the right direction.

David, I know we’ve got a large audience out there that a lot of parents or grandparents right now are thinking, “€œOkay, I want to do better at this. I want to have that relationship with them, but I don’t feel equipped, necessarily, to guide them in the right direction in some of this worldview, and challenges, and differences, in the generations. I don’t know how to help with that.”€

You lead one– I’m going to argue– one of the best programs on the planet to do exactly that. And when I argue that it’s because I’ve got–  and always thank you for this, and I want to make sure I do that – I’ve gotten to live the benefit of it. All four of my kids – dramatic, life changing, God encounters, because of the way you guys approach this and the experience they had at your program.

So, I want to make sure we give parents the opportunity, and grandparents, and friends, the opportunity to learn about how they can go for a week in the summer with you guys, or even as one of my boys is doing right now, a whole year with one of your programs to really go in depth on these things.

They Want To Discover

David Pate:

Well, I appreciate that, Rick. I always say– and our program is High Point, it’s a high school worldview leadership camp that– it’s one week, we have three different sessions during the summer. And if you go on hpoint.org you can find the information on that. But, Rick, you talked about your kids going through that. We’re an echo of what you were already putting in there. Yes, we do get both sets – we get kids that are hearing it from their parents and they need that echo. It’s just funny how they come home telling you the same thing that you’ve already told them.

But it’s like every kid wants to break free of their parents, even great parents, and discover truth for themselves – even if it’s already in them from their parents. But it’s their personal relationship with Jesus, it’s their embrace of truth. And I don’t know they just– it’s in every kid to be independent like that. But then we do have students who don’t have that background. So, we’re seeing both of them.

But it’s a high school leadership camp for ages 15 to 19 years old. And we cover everything. In fact, I just got out of a meeting this morning where we were going over new topics and, hey, what is it that we need from last year to this year that they need that has come up in the last year. So, we’re always making it fresh. So, anybody who’s gone before, it’s never going be the same each year. It’s always going to hit relevant topics in what they need to know.

Rick:

Well, I mentioned my four kids, I could add to that nieces, and nephews, and kids of friends of the family, just, it’s been a lot of great experiences, responses. And foundation –  this is not, I think sometimes, David, we talk about summer camp for teens, or kids growing up, and people think, “€œYeah, it’s a one time experience.”€ I’m telling you, my oldest went seven years ago–

Check This Out!

David Pate:

Wow.

Rick:

–and the foundation that was laid, and the things I hear from him, and see in his life now because of what you guys did, is phenomenal. So, I can’t recommend it enough. I really hope people will go check it out. I know your three weeks are going to fill up fast, so people need to get on the website now. Yes, it’s January-February, we”€™re a few months out, but now is the time to get signed up.

And you said the fastest place to go find out more about it and to apply, the website, hpoint – is it .org or .com?

David Pate:

.org.

Rick:

.org.

David Pate:

Hpoint.org. The last two weeks in June and the first week of July. Those are the three session dates.

Rick:

Alright, brother, I hope folks will go and I appreciate your time today. I’ve learned, I know our listeners have learned, and it’s something we’ve got to change in the way we approach that communication. Not only with millennials and the next generation, but as we were saying with even our friends and family and folks we’re dealing with every day.

David Pate, always a pleasure. God bless you, brother. And what’s the best place to go – I know you and Tim have been doing some conferences and different things. I know you speak around the country as well when we can pull you away from the things you’re doing there in Hot Springs. Where’s the best place to go to do that?

David Pate:

Absolute. You can go on our website, contact our ministry here, you can contact myself through WallBuilders. But, either way, I’d love to come out, speak to the church, speak to the youth group, speak to the school, whatever. We enjoy reaching the next generation. You can go on hpoint.org and contact me through that. But, man, we love– I love investing in the next generation because they’re worth it and they have so much potential.

Rick:

Amen. David Pate, appreciate you, brother. Thanks for coming on. Stay with us, folks. We”€™ll be right back with David and Tim Barton.

This Precarious Moment Book

David:

This is David Barton. I want to let about a brand new book we have called This Precarious Moment: Six Urgent Steps That Will Save You, Your family, and Our Country. Jim Garlow and I have co-authored this book and we take six issues that are hot in the culture right now.

Issues that we’re dealing with, issues such as immigration, race relations, our relationship with Israel, the rising generation Millennials, and the absence of the church in the culture wars, and where American heritage is, our godly heritage. We look at all six of those issues right now that are under attack and we give you both Biblical and historical perspective on those issues that provide solutions on what each of us can do right now to make a difference.

These are all problems that are solvable if we’ll get involved. So you can grab the book This Precarious Moment and find out what you can do to make a difference. This Precarious Moment is available at WallBuilders.com.

Rick:

Welcome back. Thanks for staying with us on WallBuilders Live and thanks to David Pate for joining us today as well. We’re back with David and Tim Barton. Guys, I always learn a lot from David, but today’s lessons from David Pate actually apply not just to those millennials, but as we were discussing, really with everyone we’re communicating with.

The Difference Between Style and Morality

Tim:

There really were a lot of things he said that are applicable not just to the next generation. But when he was talking about as far as us as individuals, are we doing things that are repelling people? Or are we doing things that are attracting people? And certainly as we’re trying to reaching the next generation, that matters, but it matters if you’re a spouse, right? It matters if you’re a parent, it matters if you are an employee or an employer. How are we living our life? Is it something that people want to be around us or are we repelling them?

But some of things he said that I thought were so significant is so often, first of all, every generation has their problems. And I’m glad you pointed that out. It’s easy to point at the next generation and point out their problems, but every generation have had their issues. Every generation had things, the hurdles, they had to overcome.

And one of the things he pointed out was that there’s a difference between style and morality which I thought was so good. It’s easy to look at the style and go, “€œOkay, that’s really dumb.”€ But if it’s not a moral issue, it’s okay to let kids have their style if it’s not a moral issue. So, so much wisdom in what he said. This is going to be something that”€™s worth getting the podcast, listening to this again, go to WallBuilders Live, listen to this one again, get some of these thoughts and advice, it really is good stuff.

And as he”€™s saying this, he mentioned go to hpoint.org, you can find out more, you can look at Brook Hill. But I would even say you ought to look at some of the stuff that we do at WallBuilders with the leadership training program. You can go to the WallBuilders website and look up under initiative’s leadership training, or look up what we do with Patriot Academy training people of how to be leaders in the political and the government arena. There are things that we are doing to actively engage the next generation.

There Is Something We Can Do

Tim:

So, maybe you’re in a position where you go, “€œI don’t know a lot of young people”€ or maybe you’re in a position where you financially could help support and sponsor young people to come to these events.

Rick:

Yeah.

Tim:

Every one of us, there”€™s something we can do to help make a difference. And certainly, we want to be relational and engage the next generation. But if you know someone who’s 18 to 25, that’s the age we do our leadership training program. If you know someone 15 to 25, that’s the age we do Patriot Academy and it doesn’t stop at 25 – even adults can come. There’s an adult track for people over 25, they can come. High Point”€™s for 15 to 19 years old – hpoint.org, there’s so much going on to help reach the next generation.

So, if you know someone that age, if you’re in that age range, sign up, get more information, or maybe you want to help sponsor somebody to be able to come and have their life changed through these programs.

Rick:

Tim, you’re exactly right. There’s obviously so much we can do with the millennials in our life, and young people in our life. Certainly thinking about passing that torch effectively to them. But even if you don’t have people like that in your life, or, as Tim was talking about, those age groups that we do the specific trainings for, if you don’t have someone that came to mind you can certainly sponsor other young people from around the nation.

Reaching The New Generation With Truth On Hard Topics

Rick:

So, be sure and go to those websites and the links that we’ll have for you today. I’m a big believer in doing what the founders did – lives, fortunes, sacred honor. That means we give of our time and things, we sacrifice our time. We also give of our fortune – we sponsor, we donate, we help candidates that are standing for righteousness by donating to them, we help causes out there that are doing good things. And a big part of investing in the Republic, investing in the freedom that we enjoy, is investing in the next generation.

So, I think Tim’s a hundred percent right and encourage folks out there to sponsor those young people. Go to WallBuildersLive.com today for the links. You can go to PatriotAcademy.com directly and sponsor a young person or make a contribution. You can go to hpoint.org and do the same thing there. And then of course at WallBuilders.com, check out that WallBuilders leadership training program as well. We sure appreciate you listening today. You’ve been listening to WallBuilders Live.