It's shocking and scary every time we hear about another shooting at a school. No matter who did it or why, it is almost unthinkable horror. Yet, we do have to think about it. It's happening. It's real. And it's getting worse.

If you look up a list of incidents of school shootings in the U.S. since they began in the 1850, you will see that the numbers fluctuate between four and 26 events per decade until the 1980s.

Then, in the 1990s, there were 34 incidents. In the 2000s, there are 40 incidents. And now only three years into the present decade, we are already up to 46.

What is going on?

In truth, there is probably a variety of factors, and I'm sure you have some theories. And we seem to be a long way from solving the problem.

Here I want to focus on one thing: the sanctity and value of human life. What is going on in the mind of a 12-year-old boy when he takes a gun to school and starts shooting people? I submit to you that human life has become too cheap in the minds of too many of our youngsters.

Parents, I want to plead with you to teach your children to value human life. Please pass along these stories and concepts:

After Noah emerges from the ark, God says to him and his sons, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man” (Genesis 9:6). The reason that murder is wrong is because it destroys a divine image-bearer.

Let me put it another way. One day, when the Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus they asked him publicly if it was lawful to pay taxes or not.

If Jesus answered “yes” then the crowd might turn against him. If he answered “no” then he could be subject to arrest by the Roman authorities.

Instead, Jesus asked for a coin. When it was given to him he asked, “Whose image is on that coin?” The answer came back, “Caesar's.” Jesus responded, “So give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.”

Typically, people think of this story as a taxes story or an example of Jesus' wisdom. But this story is even more profound.

What has the stamp of God's image on it? That's right: You and all people were created in God's image. (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore, all people belong to God.

Give yourself to God. And don't even think about harming a precious unique creation that bears the image of our maker.

Philip Schroeder is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bulverde.