God does not view humanity through the lens of the present moment alone. His vision spans across generations - from the past, through the current age, and into the unborn future generations yet to come. This multi-generational perspective resounds through scripture.
These words—Generation, descendants, children's children—echo like a drumbeat. God loves and desires to bless all generations. But he also makes it clear that the spiritual wellbeing of future generations depends on the faithfulness of the current generation.
This truth struck the Israelites at Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments. God warned that disobedience and idolatry would bring consequences cascading down upon their descendants. But covenant faithfulness would mean blessing "to the thousandth generation." Our experience of and response to God inevitably impacts those who come after us.
We cannot be casual bystanders living only for ourselves in this present moment. We are participants in an unfolding, multi-generational plan. As Psalm 78 commands: "Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done." What does that look like for you?
Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 provides a powerful model. When a vast crowd formed, Jesus did not turn them away but taught them all day out of compassion for their spiritual hunger. As evening fell, the disciples urged Jesus to send the crowd away to find provisions. Jesus responded: "You give them something to eat."
After scouring the crowd, Andrew came across one person who admitted to having food and was willing to share it. With only five loaves and two fish available, the disciples dismissed their minuscule resources as inadequate for the massive need. But Jesus received this humble offering, gave thanks, and multiplied it to satisfy thousands with baskets remaining. From this account, we glean several mandates:
These words—Generation, descendants, children's children—echo like a drumbeat. God loves and desires to bless all generations. But he also makes it clear that the spiritual wellbeing of future generations depends on the faithfulness of the current generation.
This truth struck the Israelites at Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments. God warned that disobedience and idolatry would bring consequences cascading down upon their descendants. But covenant faithfulness would mean blessing "to the thousandth generation." Our experience of and response to God inevitably impacts those who come after us.
We cannot be casual bystanders living only for ourselves in this present moment. We are participants in an unfolding, multi-generational plan. As Psalm 78 commands: "Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done." What does that look like for you?
Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 provides a powerful model. When a vast crowd formed, Jesus did not turn them away but taught them all day out of compassion for their spiritual hunger. As evening fell, the disciples urged Jesus to send the crowd away to find provisions. Jesus responded: "You give them something to eat."
After scouring the crowd, Andrew came across one person who admitted to having food and was willing to share it. With only five loaves and two fish available, the disciples dismissed their minuscule resources as inadequate for the massive need. But Jesus received this humble offering, gave thanks, and multiplied it to satisfy thousands with baskets remaining. From this account, we glean several mandates:
- Have compassion on each new generation, as sheep without a shepherd needing God's truth and grace. Do not criticize, but rather have empathy for their spiritual condition apart from Christ.
- We are God's plan for reaching the next generations. As followers of Jesus, we cannot pass this responsibility to someone else. God has positioned us as his ambassadors and representatives to this emerging generation.
- Bring what we have, however meager it may seem, and allow Christ to multiply it. We may feel ill-equipped with limited resources, understanding, or capacity. But as we offer ourselves, Christ will supernaturally expand our efforts. Check out this message.
- Embrace God's multiplication of our faithfulness to inspire others. The boy's small lunch could never satisfy the multitudes, but his willingness may have prompted others to come forward and participate in Christ's miraculous provision. Our service stirs others to engage.
We face a pivotal moment regarding the next generations represented in our community —both Gen Z and Gen Alpha. These secular-raised, post-Christian generations are spiritually hungry in unique ways. Pragmatism, bucolic moralism, and cultural Christianity will not satisfy their longing for truth, identity, and transcendent meaning.
This pivotal hinge in history represents a burgeoning opportunity for the church to engage Gen Z and Alpha with the transformative gospel of Christ. But reaching them will require leaving our comfort zones and embracing the sacrifices of worship—deliberately arranging our lives around the practices, rhythms, and priorities modeled by Christ himself.
For some, this will mean embracing a simple call to serve in our next gen ministries—children, students, and college. For others, it will involve strategic schedule alterations, rearranging priorities, and leveraging vocations as platforms for discipleship.
We cannot relegate this mission to preceding generations or shift it to the generations ahead. As Joshua declared: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Our mission is clear – Helping people find and follow Christ, watch message. We must have open hands to receive God's multiplying power, compassionate hearts for the Lord’s sheep, and willing feet to enter the fields that are ripe for harvest among the next generations.
What is your role in this mission? Where is God calling you to invest in the spiritual journey of the next generations? Perhaps in a classroom, on a playground, or within your own living room?
This pivotal hinge in history represents a burgeoning opportunity for the church to engage Gen Z and Alpha with the transformative gospel of Christ. But reaching them will require leaving our comfort zones and embracing the sacrifices of worship—deliberately arranging our lives around the practices, rhythms, and priorities modeled by Christ himself.
For some, this will mean embracing a simple call to serve in our next gen ministries—children, students, and college. For others, it will involve strategic schedule alterations, rearranging priorities, and leveraging vocations as platforms for discipleship.
We cannot relegate this mission to preceding generations or shift it to the generations ahead. As Joshua declared: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Our mission is clear – Helping people find and follow Christ, watch message. We must have open hands to receive God's multiplying power, compassionate hearts for the Lord’s sheep, and willing feet to enter the fields that are ripe for harvest among the next generations.
What is your role in this mission? Where is God calling you to invest in the spiritual journey of the next generations? Perhaps in a classroom, on a playground, or within your own living room?
Posted in Faith, Leadership
Posted in purpose, mission, serving, next generation, invest in the next generation
Posted in purpose, mission, serving, next generation, invest in the next generation