Empowering the Next Generation as Dynamic Church Leaders

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of Heaven Is Near—Announce It Boldly

Jesus calls His followers to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near, not just as a future hope but as a present reality breaking into our world. This call is not reserved for the spiritually elite or the most experienced; it is for every believer, including the young and those who may feel unprepared. When Jesus sent out His disciples, He entrusted them with a message and a mission, empowering them to step out in faith even when they felt inadequate. Today, you are invited to embrace this same calling—to share the nearness of God’s kingdom in your daily life, wherever you are, trusting that God equips those He sends. [14:29]

Matthew 10:7-8 (ESV)
“And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”

Reflection: Where is one place in your daily life—work, school, or home—where you can intentionally announce or demonstrate that the kingdom of heaven is near today?

Day 2: Empowering the Next Generation—Leadership Starts Now

The future of the church depends on empowering young people to lead today, not just someday. When young adults and students are trusted with real responsibility and given opportunities to serve, they grow into dynamic leaders who shape the church and the world. Waiting for perfection or maturity before entrusting leadership only stifles growth; instead, the church is called to come alongside the next generation, guiding and shaping them as they lead now. This approach creates a vibrant, multi-generational community where everyone is valued and equipped to make a difference. [12:40]

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: Who is a young person in your life or church that you can encourage, mentor, or empower to lead in some way this week?

Day 3: Boldness and Authenticity—Living Out Faith Publicly

There is a powerful testimony in young adults who are unashamedly bold in their faith, living authentically for Jesus in their schools, workplaces, and communities. Their courage to share the good news and stand firm in their beliefs challenges stereotypes and inspires others. This boldness is not about perfection but about being real, passionate, and willing to step out even when it’s uncomfortable. When you live out your faith with authenticity, you speak with authority and impact those around you, showing that following Jesus is both transformative and contagious. [21:36]

Acts 4:13 (ESV)
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Reflection: What is one way you can be more open or bold about your faith in a setting where you usually hold back?

Day 4: Peace Comes from the Presence of Jesus, Not the Absence of Problems

True peace is not found in a life free from challenges, but in the presence of Jesus amid those challenges. Even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming, Jesus offers a peace that surpasses understanding—a peace rooted in His nearness and faithfulness. This peace empowers you to face difficulties with courage and hope, knowing that God is with you and working through you. Instead of waiting for circumstances to change, you can seek and experience the presence of Jesus right where you are. [36:11]

John 16:33 (ESV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking peace? How can you invite the presence of Jesus into that situation today?

Day 5: Generosity Builds the Kingdom—Investing in Future Leaders

Building God’s kingdom involves generous investment—of time, encouragement, and resources—into the next generation of Christian leaders. When you give sacrificially, you help create opportunities for young people to experience God, grow in leadership, and impact the world. Your generosity is not just financial; it’s about being “guilty” of building up others, ensuring that the church remains vibrant and dynamic for years to come. Every act of giving, no matter the size, is a seed sown into the future of God’s work on earth. [45:45]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can invest in the next generation—through giving, serving, or encouraging—this week?

Sermon Summary

Today is a celebration of the next generation and the vital role they play in the life of the church right now—not just in the distant future. There’s a common tendency to look at young adults, college students, and those in their early twenties as “future leaders,” but the truth is, they need to be dynamic leaders today. Leadership isn’t something that magically appears with age; it’s cultivated through trust, opportunity, and real responsibility. If we want to see a generation of bold, Spirit-filled, and effective Christian leaders, we must empower them now, while we can still walk alongside them, mentor them, and help shape their journey.

Jesus modeled this with His disciples. Even after a short time together, He sent them out to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom, to heal, to serve, and to give freely. He didn’t wait until they were “ready” by human standards. He trusted them, and in that trust, they grew. In the same way, we’re called to trust and empower the young people among us. Today, we witnessed four young adults step up and share from their hearts. Each one brought a unique perspective, but all shared a common thread: they are living out their faith boldly, unashamedly, and with a passion that challenges us all.

It’s easy to be discouraged by the negativity we hear about the next generation, but let’s not forget that God is raising up young men and women who are on fire for Him. They are already making a difference on their campuses, in their workplaces, and in their communities. Our role is to champion them, to invest in them, and to create space for them to lead. That’s why we invest through Kingdom Builders—so that every young person has the opportunity to experience missions, leadership development, and spiritual growth. We don’t wait for perfection; we empower them where they are and help them grow into all God has called them to be.

Let’s be a church that is “guilty” of building up the next generation. Let’s give generously, pray fervently, and cheer loudly for these young leaders. The future of the church is in good hands because we are letting them lead now.

Key Takeaways

1. Empower the next generation now Waiting for young people to “grow up” before giving them responsibility stifles their growth and the church’s future. By entrusting them with leadership today, we help them become dynamic, Spirit-led leaders for tomorrow. Our willingness to walk with them in their imperfections is what shapes them into the leaders God intends. [12:16]
2. Leadership is forged through trust and opportunity Jesus sent out His disciples before they were fully “ready,” showing that growth happens in the context of real responsibility. When we trust young adults with meaningful roles, we invite them to step into their calling and experience God’s power firsthand. This trust is a catalyst for spiritual maturity and boldness. [14:13]
3. Bold faith is contagious and transformative The young adults who shared today are living examples of unashamed, passionate faith. Their courage to proclaim Jesus in their everyday environments challenges us to examine our own boldness. When we see faith lived out authentically, it stirs something deep within us and inspires us to do the same. [21:36]
4. Investing in the next generation is Kingdom work Supporting young leaders through prayer, encouragement, and financial generosity is not just a program—it’s a vital part of building God’s Kingdom. Our giving enables life-changing experiences, leadership development, and spiritual breakthroughs that ripple into eternity. We are invited to be part of their story and the future of the church. [44:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:27] - Setting the Tone: Best Day at Church
[11:01] - The Next Generation Takes the Stage
[11:27] - Why Young Leaders Matter Now
[12:16] - Empowering Young People Today
[13:23] - Preparing for the Young Communicators
[14:13] - Jesus Sends Out the Disciples
[15:31] - Introducing the Four Young Speakers
[16:09] - Katie Boozy: Living the Mission
[20:50] - Authority from Living the Message
[21:36] - Young Adults on Fire for Jesus
[22:09] - Aaron Henderson: Heart of Worship
[27:17] - Worship Beyond the Stage
[28:29] - North Platte’s Legacy of Discipleship
[28:58] - Delaney Parker: Called to Lead
[34:55] - Empowering Imperfect People
[35:34] - Tyler Mendez: Wisdom and Passion
[36:11] - Celebrating the Next Generation
[42:58] - Investing in Future Leaders
[44:19] - Kingdom Builders: How You Can Help
[45:45] - Generosity and Building the Church
[47:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Empowering the Next Generation**

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### Bible Reading

**Matthew 10:7-8 (ESV)**
> "And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay."

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### Observation Questions

According to Matthew 10:7-8, what specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples when He sent them out?
In the sermon, what are some ways the next generation is already leading and making a difference in their communities? [[21:36]]
What is the main reason the pastor gives for empowering young people with leadership now, instead of waiting until they are “older” or “ready”? [[12:16]]
How did the four young adults who spoke demonstrate boldness and passion in their faith, according to the sermon? [[21:36]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus sent out His disciples before they were “fully ready” by human standards? What does this say about how spiritual growth happens? [[14:13]]
The pastor mentioned that leadership is “forged through trust and opportunity.” How does giving responsibility to young people help them grow into dynamic leaders? [[12:16]]
The sermon challenges the idea that we should wait for young people to be “perfect” before empowering them. What are the risks and rewards of empowering people while they are still learning? [[34:55]]
How does seeing young adults live out their faith boldly impact the rest of the church? [[21:36]]

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### Application Questions

Think about a time when someone trusted you with responsibility before you felt “ready.” How did that experience help you grow? How can you offer that same trust to someone younger than you? [[14:13]]
Are there young people in your life (family, church, work, school) who you could encourage or empower in their faith or leadership? What is one practical step you could take this week to support them? [[44:19]]
The sermon talks about being “guilty” of building up the next generation. What does that look like in your daily life? Is there a way you can give, pray, or cheer for young leaders more intentionally? [[45:45]]
When you hear negative things about the next generation, how do you usually respond? How can you shift your perspective to see and celebrate what God is doing in young people? [[21:36]]
The young adults who spoke were described as “unashamedly bold” in their faith. What holds you back from being bold about your faith in your own environment? What is one way you can take a step of boldness this week? [[21:36]]
The church invests in young people through things like Kingdom Builders, missions trips, and leadership development. Is there a way you can participate in or support these efforts, even in a small way? [[44:19]]
The pastor said, “We don’t wait for you to become perfect to empower you. We empower you where you are and then help you grow.” How does this approach challenge the way you view your own growth and the growth of others? [[34:55]]

Sermon Clips

When we think about young adults, college students, those in their early 20s, many times we look at them and we're like, hey, you are a future leader. And I believe that. I believe that they are our future leaders, okay? Because, I mean, look, at some point, I'm not going to be at the age of like being the leader up here, right? Like there's going to be transition. We all transition. If you stay on this planet long enough, you transition, all right? But what I believe, and I think it's like crucial to the future of the church, is that people in their college years or in their early 20s are not just the future Christian leaders. [00:11:18] (38 seconds) #FutureLeadersNow

I think they need to be dynamic future Christian leaders. I think there's a big difference between that. I don't think that we're just talking about somebody that's just going to like gradually, you know, figure it out and they're going to become future Christian leaders. I actually want them to be dynamic future Christian leaders. So for that to happen, they have to be leaders now. How do you ever become a dynamic leader if no one ever trusts you with leadership now? Is it? Are we going to be like some generations in the past where we said, no, we're not going to give you any leadership. [00:11:55] (33 seconds) #KingdomMessageLive

No, you're not ready. And then expect them to thrive later on in life. Like, I'm just going to tell you right now, I think that kind of idea is an old school idea that wasn't the best idea. I think the best idea is give young people leadership opportunities now while you can help mold it and shape it so that in the future, they're dynamic leaders. You understand what I'm saying? Are you with me? Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure. [00:12:29] (26 seconds) #BoldFaithGeneration

And I'm just letting you know today that with these leaders that are getting ready to pop up here, they only get five minutes a piece. And in those five minutes, they're going to give you their very best. Okay? They've never stood on this stage. They've never communicated like this. Some of you right now have got sweaty palms even thinking about the idea of getting up here and communicating. And they've been processing it for the last few weeks, preparing for a moment like this. So I need you to turn up your amen meter. [00:13:02] (31 seconds) #EmpoweredToLead

Now, what I want you to know is I've empowered these, these four, that are going to come up here in front of you, to do what Jesus said. Go and announce to them that the kingdom of heaven is near. That's what I said. I want you to do this for us. Okay? Now, if in the middle of all of that, they heal the sick, they raise the dead, and they cast out some of your demons, that was a joke. Okay. All right. That will be a bonus. All I ask for them to do is to just, would you please just broadcast to us the kingdom of heaven is near. [00:14:55] (33 seconds) #HeartOfWorship

I don't know about you, but when you hear on the news about the next generation and you see all the negativity that the news puts out there, I just want you to know that's not every single young adult. That there are young adults just like Katie Boozy and others that you're going to hear from today that are on fire for Jesus. Unashamedly bold in their faith. On college campuses sharing the good news of Jesus. In their workplaces sharing the good news of Jesus. And that's who you're going to continue to hear from today. [00:21:12] (30 seconds) #WisdomInYouth

A heart of worship from a worshiper. I can tell you right now, man, that's who he is. Aaron is a worshiper. He worships when there is no audience, right? That's the kind of young man that he is. And I'm proud to have him as one of our worship directors at the Holdridge campus. And who knows what kind of influence he'll have at this church even in the years to come. I just know this, that man, when you got a heart that is seeking after God like that, God starts elevating that voice. [00:27:17] (29 seconds) #InvestInNextGen

``I'm hoping that there's something in the midst of what's being shared here that you're picking up. Right? Are you picking up something in the middle of all of this? Are you? I hope so. I hope so. I mean look if nothing else you should be picking up this. I mean I'm proud to be in a church that believes in the next generation both male and female enough that we empower them to be God's people here on earth. That's who we are. That's the church we are. [00:34:29] (27 seconds)

We don't wait for you to become perfect to empower you. We empower you where you are and then we help you grow into all that God has made you to be. That's who we are. Last but not least bat and clean up. All right? Bat and clean up all the way from the Kearney campus. Didn't have a long ways to go. But no hey look the last guy that's coming up here I just want you to know this. I've had coffee with him a couple of different times. It's like I've been able to connect with all of these communicators. [00:34:56] (28 seconds)

What amazes me about the next guy you're getting ready to hear from is he might be young but he's got wisdom like a guy that's got 20 years on his life. He knows where he's going in life and one of those places that he's going is he's going after righteousness for God. He's going after the power of God in his life. He's trying to lead a life that wants to make a massive impact for the kingdom of God. He'd be the first one to tell you I'm not perfect at it but I'm passionate about it and I really want my life to matter. [00:35:25] (32 seconds)

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