Growing Multigenerational Faithಮಾದರಿ

Whenever I used to hear a pastor say to share the Gospel with everyone, I used to think, “That’s not my job.” And then God called me to ministry in my late teens. He saw my fear, much like Moses’ fear, and brought people around me to support and uplift me in the anxiety and cowardice. He gave me family, mentors, teachers, and friends who discipled me and who pushed me to grow. But what happens if we don’t disciple the next generation?

In Judges 2:10, Joshua did exactly that. His generation failed to disciple others. And in his generation’s place was left a generation that didn’t know or follow God. They followed their own desires and whims. They “...did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals” (Judges 2:11, ESV). In Galatians 4:8, Paul says we will be enslaved to the gods of the world, which at the time were the Greek and Roman gods. In our culture today, those deities have been replaced with fame, wealth, sex, and power. Our youth do not face a life serving Baal, but a life serving their own sinful desires. Without discipleship, they will be thrust into a life without fulfillment and satisfaction and shoved into a life of emptiness and regret.

If you are a young person, this doesn’t absolve you of the need for discipleship. You need someone older, wiser, and further in their faith to walk alongside you. Hunt that relationship down. Seek it out. Don’t settle into the culture of self-help. We need each other. We all need a mentor or disciple-maker in our lives, no matter the stage, so run after Godly wisdom from someone older.

So, are you going to leave sharing the Gospel with those who are called to vocational ministry? Or will you live out the Great Commission that Christ gave us in Matthew 28:19-20? Remember, there is nothing to fear: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Daniel & Hannah Frank - Next Generations Pastor, Young Adults Ministry

Questions to Consider

• Who invested in you that made a difference in your life with God? What did they do?
• Who is a young leader you can pray for to know God deeply and create a legacy of faith in the world?

Actions to Take

• Pray for that young leader to have a strong, deep faith that is passed on to others.
• Make yourself available to mentor and support someone in the faith. Tell your church leadership you want to do this. (Note to Young Leaders: You can be investing in leaders younger than you! A leader only needs to be one step ahead of those they are leading.)

Prayer to Make

Lord Jesus Christ, please create a legacy of faith through me, my family, and my church. Help us to have a heart and vision for discipling the generations. Let it start with me. Amen.