Embracing Humility: Investing in the Next Generation

Devotional

Day 1: The Invaluable Role of the Next Generation

The next generation is not just the future of the church; they are a vital part of the church today. Investing in them is crucial because they have unique perspectives and energy that can invigorate the entire community. Jesus' example of placing a child at the center teaches us that children and youth are invaluable in God's eyes. [32:03]

In today's world, it's easy to overlook the potential and importance of young people. However, Jesus' actions in Matthew 18 remind us that children hold a special place in God's heart. By placing a child at the center of His teaching on greatness, Jesus emphasized that the qualities often found in children—humility, openness, and a sense of wonder—are highly valued in God's kingdom. This perspective challenges us to see the next generation not as a group to be merely tolerated or managed but as essential contributors to the life and mission of the church.

Investing in the next generation means more than just providing programs and activities. It involves genuinely valuing their input, nurturing their spiritual growth, and empowering them to take on leadership roles. When we invest in young people, we are not only shaping their future but also enriching the present life of our community. Their fresh perspectives and boundless energy can inspire and invigorate us all, leading to a more dynamic and vibrant church.

Matthew 18:2-4 (ESV): "And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

Reflection: How can you actively invest in the next generation today? Consider one specific action you can take to support and encourage a young person in your community.

Day 2: Redefining Greatness Through Humility

True greatness in God's kingdom is defined by humility and a childlike heart. Jesus' response to the disciples' question about greatness was to highlight the humility and openness of a child. This challenges us to rethink our ambitions and strive for a greatness that is rooted in serving others and lowering ourselves. [38:46]

In a world that often equates greatness with power, status, and achievements, Jesus offers a radically different perspective. When His disciples asked who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus responded by placing a child before them and teaching that true greatness is found in humility. This was a stark contrast to the disciples' expectations and serves as a powerful reminder that God's values are often countercultural.

Humility involves recognizing our dependence on God and being willing to serve others without seeking recognition or reward. It means putting others' needs before our own and being open to learning and growing, much like a child. This kind of greatness is not about elevating ourselves but about lowering ourselves to lift others up. By embracing humility, we align ourselves with God's heart and become true reflections of His love and grace.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking recognition or status? How can you practice humility and serve others in those areas today?

Day 3: Youthful Impact in God's Kingdom

Throughout the Bible, God has used young people to accomplish significant tasks. Figures like Esther, Josiah, Daniel, and Mary show that age is not a limitation for being used by God. What matters is a heart that is humble and willing to serve. [44:04]

The Bible is filled with stories of young people who made a profound impact on God's kingdom. Esther, a young Jewish woman, courageously risked her life to save her people. Josiah, who became king at a young age, led a significant spiritual reform in Israel. Daniel, taken into captivity as a youth, remained faithful to God and influenced the Babylonian empire. Mary, a young girl, humbly accepted God's call to be the mother of Jesus. These examples demonstrate that God values and uses the faith and courage of young people to accomplish His purposes.

Age is not a barrier to being used by God. What He seeks is a heart that is humble, willing, and open to His leading. Young people have unique gifts, perspectives, and energy that can greatly contribute to God's work. By recognizing and encouraging these qualities, we can help them realize their potential and make a significant impact in their communities and beyond.

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection: Think of a young person you know who has shown potential for leadership or service. How can you encourage and support them in their journey with God?

Day 4: Taking Action to Meet the Needs of the Next Generation

Seeing the needs of the next generation is not enough; we must also take action. This involves being present, volunteering, and investing time and resources into young people. The story of Edward Kimball and the ripple effect of his ministry illustrates the profound impact one person can have when they choose to act. [52:58]

Recognizing the needs of the next generation is an important first step, but it is not sufficient on its own. True impact comes from taking concrete actions to address those needs. This means being present in the lives of young people, offering our time, resources, and support. Whether through formal ministry roles or informal interactions, our involvement can make a significant difference in their spiritual and personal development.

The story of Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher who invested in a young shoe salesman named Dwight L. Moody, serves as a powerful example. Kimball's decision to mentor and encourage Moody led to a ripple effect that impacted countless lives through Moody's ministry. This story reminds us that our actions, no matter how small they may seem, can have far-reaching consequences when we choose to invest in others.

James 2:14-17 (ESV): "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Identify one specific need of a young person in your community. What practical steps can you take this week to meet that need and show them the love of Christ?

Day 5: Embracing a Servant's Heart

Jesus didn't just perform acts of service; He embodied servanthood. We are called to do the same, making service a core part of our identity. This means consistently showing up for the next generation, not just in formal roles but in everyday interactions, modeling the love and humility of Christ. [57:12]

Jesus' life was marked by a profound commitment to servanthood. He didn't just serve occasionally; He lived as a servant, consistently putting others' needs before His own. This is the model He calls us to follow. Embracing a servant's heart means making service an integral part of who we are, not just something we do. It involves a mindset of humility, love, and a willingness to put others first in all aspects of our lives.

For the next generation, this means being present and engaged in their lives, not just through formal ministry roles but in everyday interactions. It means showing up, listening, and offering support and encouragement. By modeling the love and humility of Christ, we can have a lasting impact on young people, helping them to grow in their faith and become servant leaders themselves.

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: How can you embody a servant's heart in your daily interactions? Consider one specific way you can serve a young person in your life this week, modeling the love and humility of Christ.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound value of the next generation and how Jesus views greatness through the lens of humility and childlike faith. We began by celebrating the story of Jude, a young person who has been positively impacted by our church community and is now giving back by leading and serving others. This story exemplifies the importance of investing in the next generation, a theme central to our current series, "It's Just a Phase." We challenged the common notion that difficult phases in parenting or youth development are merely to be endured, instead emphasizing that these phases are critical opportunities to shape and influence young lives.

We delved into the biblical perspective on greatness, contrasting societal views with Jesus' teachings. In Matthew 18, Jesus redefines greatness by placing a child at the center and stating that true greatness comes from humility and a childlike heart. This was a radical departure from the disciples' expectations, who were preoccupied with status and power. Jesus' example teaches us that children, often overlooked and undervalued in society, embody the humility and openness that God values.

We also examined various biblical figures like Esther, Josiah, Daniel, and Mary, who were used mightily by God despite their youth. These stories underscore that age is not a barrier to being used by God; rather, a humble and willing heart is what He seeks. We encouraged everyone, especially the young people in our congregation, to see themselves as valuable and capable of making significant contributions to God's kingdom.

Finally, we issued a call to action for the entire church community to invest in the next generation. This involves seeing the needs around us, taking action to meet those needs, and embodying a servant's heart. We highlighted the importance of being present and engaged in the lives of young people, whether through formal ministry roles or simply by being a supportive and loving presence.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Value of the Next Generation: The next generation is not just the future of the church; they are a vital part of the church today. Investing in them is crucial because they have unique perspectives and energy that can invigorate the entire community. Jesus' example of placing a child at the center teaches us that children and youth are invaluable in God's eyes. [32:03]
2. Redefining Greatness: True greatness in God's kingdom is defined by humility and a childlike heart. Jesus' response to the disciples' question about greatness was to highlight the humility and openness of a child. This challenges us to rethink our ambitions and strive for a greatness that is rooted in serving others and lowering ourselves. [38:46]
3. Biblical Examples of Youthful Impact: Throughout the Bible, God has used young people to accomplish significant tasks. Figures like Esther, Josiah, Daniel, and Mary show that age is not a limitation for being used by God. What matters is a heart that is humble and willing to serve. [44:04]
4. Active Engagement: Seeing the needs of the next generation is not enough; we must also take action. This involves being present, volunteering, and investing time and resources into young people. The story of Edward Kimball and the ripple effect of his ministry illustrates the profound impact one person can have when they choose to act. [52:58]
5. Becoming Servants: Jesus didn't just perform acts of service; He embodied servanthood. We are called to do the same, making service a core part of our identity. This means consistently showing up for the next generation, not just in formal roles but in everyday interactions, modeling the love and humility of Christ. [57:12]
### [57:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:47] - Celebrating Jude's Story
[31:31] - Series Introduction: It's Just a Phase
[32:03] - The Value of the Next Generation
[33:22] - Interactive Game: Who's the Greatest?
[37:03] - Redefining Greatness
[38:46] - Jesus' Example of Humility
[41:10] - God's Heart for Children
[44:04] - Biblical Examples of Youthful Impact
[46:31] - Encouragement to Young People
[48:00] - Defining Greatness in God's Kingdom
[49:43] - Three Steps: See It, Do It, Be It
[52:58] - The Ripple Effect of Serving
[57:12] - Becoming Servants
[60:14] - Call to Action: Serving the Next Generation
[64:23] - Prayer for the Next Generation
[67:07] - Closing and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:1-5 (NIV) — > "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.'"

2. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
> "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

3. Jeremiah 1:7 (NIV)
> "But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.'"

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Observation Questions

In Matthew 18:1-5, what does Jesus use to illustrate true greatness in the kingdom of heaven?
According to 1 Timothy 4:12, what are the areas in which young people should set an example for believers?
How does Jeremiah 1:7 address the concern of being too young to be used by God?
What story was shared in the sermon to highlight the impact of investing in the next generation? ([30:47])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose a child to illustrate greatness in Matthew 18:1-5? How does this challenge societal views of status and power? ([38:46])
How can young people set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity according to 1 Timothy 4:12? What might this look like in a modern context? ([47:14])
Reflecting on Jeremiah 1:7, what does this passage suggest about God's perspective on age and capability? How does this align with the examples of Esther, Josiah, Daniel, and Mary mentioned in the sermon? ([44:04])
The sermon emphasized the importance of seeing, doing, and being. How do these steps relate to the call to invest in the next generation? ([49:43])

Application Questions

Jesus redefined greatness as humility and a childlike heart. How can you cultivate humility in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you struggle with pride or ego? ([38:46])
Reflect on 1 Timothy 4:12. In what ways can you set an example for others in your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity this week? Identify one specific action you can take. ([47:14])
Jeremiah 1:7 speaks to not letting age be a barrier. Is there a young person in your life whom you can encourage and support in their faith journey? How can you practically do this? ([44:04])
The sermon shared the story of Edward Kimball and the ripple effect of his ministry. Think of a small act of service you can do this week that might have a lasting impact. What is it, and how will you commit to doing it? ([52:58])
The sermon called for active engagement in the lives of young people. Are you currently involved in any ministry or service that supports the next generation? If not, what steps can you take to get involved? ([55:28])
Jesus welcomed children and saw their value. How can you make young people feel valued and welcomed in your community or church? Share a specific example of how you can do this. ([41:58])
The sermon emphasized the importance of being a servant, not just performing acts of service. How can you embody a servant's heart in your everyday interactions? What changes might you need to make in your attitude or behavior? ([57:12])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We recognize greatness. We see it, right? And I want to be great. I feel like everyone in the room is like, we want to be great. I had an appointment this week, and I was at the door, and I was at the doctor, and I had an IV in my arm. And the nurse was like, you have some incredible veins." [36:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You want to be great? You make yourself low like a child. You have a heart of humility, not pride, not ego, not going, I want to move up the ranks. No, you make yourself low. That's how you become great. Do you see God's heart here? His heart is for kids." [41:10] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God's heart is for the next generation. So I'm going to show you some examples really quick throughout the old Testament. First we have Esther. She's in her teens, a teenager, and she approaches the king boldly to oppose his decree and it ends up saving her nation, her people. She put her life on the line. A teenager is powerful." [44:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You have a place here. You matter. Your life has value and worth and you can contribute to the family of God. You're an elementary school. You can be a light in your school. You're going through the murky waters of middle school. You can set an example of faith in your home. High schoolers, you're not 18 yet. You're not officially an adult. No, you can change the world." [47:14] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Imagine if we took this seriously and we didn't just go, oh yeah, that's nice. Imagine if we rolled up our sleeves and we fought for the next generation, that we were a beacon of hope in this community for the next generation, for these kids, for these students, for these young people." [01:02:57] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We have to capitalize on these opportunities that are right in front of us to be able to impact the next generation, and Pastor Grant, I wanna thank you. Pastor Grant has led the series the last couple weeks and talked about the importance of the next generation, and he asked this question, what I wanna ask you again today is, what's the next generation worth? What's the next generation worth to you?" [32:03] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus goes, I'll tell you who the greatest is. And he picks a child, and he places this child in front of him. Jesus, or God, Jesus uses children as an example of greatness. You want to know who's great? Children. Now, in those days, children, ugh, they were more viewed as property. Like, we're just going to keep them alive, feed them like livestock until they get old enough, and then they can contribute to society." [39:40] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We need to see the needs. We need to do something about it, and then we need to be it. One thing I want to point out to you guys, because you're like, I don't know what to be. Be the person you needed when you were a young person. What did you need? Maybe you needed just like a stable adult in your life. You didn't have that." [58:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have opportunity right in front of us, guys. This is a moment that I don't want us to miss. I've been praying for this day for a while, and we talk about the next generation. We say they're worth everything, but are they? Really worth everything to us. I'm going to make a bold ask right now. Are you willing to link arms with us to serve the next generation?" [58:35] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We want to be a church that's, this isn't just some token weekend. And we're like, hey, woo, next generation, they kind of matter. No, they are worth everything. What's the next generation worth to you? We're going to have a QR code on the screen. The one on the right is for high school, middle school. The one on the left is for kids. And I want to ask you, are you willing to serve and to sacrifice for the next generation?" [01:01:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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