When a generation doesn't make church a priority, their children will be molded to think that God is not a priority. Then their grandchildren will not believe in God or care about the things of God.
I am not trying to be a downer. But we must face reality. The next generation is being set up to be a spiritual failure. The blame for this rests not only on the pull of the world, but on our shoulders as well.
The good news...there is hope. As we pray, seek God, and are pro active in sharing God's Word with the next generation, there is much hope.
Psalm 78 gives us clear instructions for what we should be doing. Let's look at it together and see how we can bring hope to the next generation.
"O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying."
If we are going to see the next generation listen to what we are saying, it will happen through relationship. When they know we really do care about them, they will open their heart to hear what we have to say. Building relationships will earn you the right to be heard.
"For I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past - stories we have seen and have heard and know, stories our ancestors handed down to us."
We must share the stories with the next generation. Stories of how God has worked in our lives. Stories of how God has shown his faithfulness. Stories of miracles we have seen and experienced.
"We will not hide these truths from your children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders."
We must be intentional about teaching the next generation about God's truth and His power and His mighty wonders.
"For He issued His laws to Jacob; He gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them."
We must equip parents to teach their children about the things of God. Teach them know to know God and walk in His ways.
"Even the children not yet born - and they in turn will teach their own children."
We must start early. The person that gets there first will win the heart of the next generation. From the time they are born, we must be intentional about pouring God's Word, wisdom, and ways into their lives. We must be prepared to teach, love, and invest in them from the cradle to college.
"So each generation should set its HOPE anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands."
There is hope. Because of God, there is hope. If we seek Him, we will find Him. If we help the next generation come to God, they will find Him. If we share the hope that is found in God, the next generation will experience His faithfulness.
God loves the next generation deeply. He longs for them to follow Him and walk with Him. He is everything the next generation is looking for. He is their only Hope. The cool thing...He uses us to help the next generation find hope.
Let's bring it!
