Even if you’re not a parent or grandparent, don’t skip this post!!
If you have been following Jesus for a long time and are a member of a local congregation, this scripture writing plan is for you too.
Although the responsibility of training and teaching children falls into the lap of their parents, each of us within the church have a responsibility to the young –whether they are young in age or young in faith–to encourage their growth in the Lord.
We can learn much from the successes and failures ancient Israelites. The priests were commanded to teach the people and the people were commanded to teach their children, yet soon after the death of Joshua we read this chilling section:
“And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
Judges 2.10-12, ESV
It’s easy to blame the Israelite parents. After all, they had direct stewardship over those souls. However, the passage implies this was a pervasive problem: the entire generation “did not know the Lord or the work he had done for Israel.” The nation as a whole had failed in their work. The Scriptures remind us that the church is the spiritual nation of the Lord, and we are in danger of drifting just as much as the Israelites were.
When I wrote about Raising GenNext eight years ago, I recommend 6 E’s:
Engage: Develop meaningful relationships with fellow Christians
Exemplify: Demonstrate how a Christian ought to live
Equip: Teach and train
Entrust: Involve in the important
Edify: Build up
Entreat: Go to the Lord on their behalf.
As you write through the scriptures these month, keep these 6 E’s in mind. Many of the scriptures are geared towards training “children,” but if you don’t have children at home, consider how you apply some principles to those who are young in the faith. Here are some parting thoughts:
Parents: teach your children! You are closest to the action. You have boots on the ground. It starts with you. If you have adult children, how are you continuing to strengthen their faith?
Grandparents: help teach your grandchildren. You have more influence than you realize. Share what God has done in your life. Share your stories about how He has been at work in your life.
College and/or Early Career Adults: set an example for the young kids in your love and zeal for God. Be present! Show that God is the center of your life even when you’ve moved out on your own. Your example (good or bad) can have tremendous influence.
Adults: Life tends to be demanding during the time between your early career and retirement, but this can be a time of great productivity for the Lord! Live your faith everywhere you are. Be an example to believers and non-believers alike. Make time for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be hospitable.
Older adults: You may be retired from a career, but don’t retire from serving the Lord. Until He calls you home, keep on encouraging the generations younger than you. Middle-aged parents of teens need your love and support as they sail those choppy waters. Caregivers need your example of godliness. Young people need your wisdom. Testify to them all of the power of God. (Side note: One of the adults in my congregation during college took me with her for regular visits to an elderly lady who was in assisted living for Alzheimer’s. That sweet elderly lady encouraged me in ways she didn’t even realize, because despite her Alzheimer’s she had not forgotten about the power and love of the Lord. She testified about His love to the very end.)
I hope you’ll join with us as we write through these passages regardless of where you are in your life. As you meditate on these truths in the Word, consider how you can encourage the upcoming generation of Christians to hold fast to the faith and be firm in their zeal.
To download a FREE printable copy of the plan, click the link below:
To download Sara McBroom’s awesome tracing & copying sheets, please click the links below:
If you want to read any previous posts about “Raising GenNext,” use the links listed below:
GenNext: Raising Up Christians Who Know the Lord
Engage
Engage: Building Meaningful Relationships with our Children
Forming Relationships with New Christians
Expanding the Core: Building Relationships with Christians in the Church
Exemplify
Do People See Jesus in Your Life?
Do You Want Your Children to Follow in Your Footsteps?
4 Ways to Shine Your Light to Fellow Christians
Equip
Equipping our Children: Raising #GenNext Christians
How to Equip Your Children to be Future Christians (Raising #GenNext)
Converting Converts into Strong Christians
Entrust
Entrust: Involving Children in the Important (Part 1)
Entrust: Involving Children in the Important within the church (Part 2)
Edify
Edify: Building a Strong Generation
Entreat
Elihu's Corner 