Empowering the Next Generation in Faith
Summary
In today's message, I shared a personal story from my childhood about my fear of missing out, which set the stage for our exploration of Joshua 23. This chapter marks a pivotal moment where Joshua, recognizing his time was short, gathered Israel's leaders to remind them of God's faithfulness and the ongoing mission. Joshua emphasized that while the Israelites had found rest in the Promised Land, their spiritual journey was far from over. He urged them to remain strong, adhere to God's law, and love the Lord wholeheartedly. This call to spiritual vigilance and leadership was not just for the present generation but was meant to be passed down to future generations.
The heart of the message was about the importance of preparing the next generation to carry on the mission of faith. I addressed three groups: parents, the church, and the next generation itself. For parents, I emphasized their role as primary disciple-makers in their children's lives, encouraging them to spend time with Jesus, engage in open conversations, and have a clear spiritual vision for their children. For the church, I highlighted the need for a supportive community that provides multiple spiritual voices for young people, fostering an environment where faith can thrive. Lastly, I called on the next generation to step into their roles as active members of the church, using their gifts and engaging in spiritual conversations.
We also reflected on the current spiritual movements among Gen Z, noting both the challenges and the opportunities. While many young people are leaving the church, there is also a revival happening on college campuses, showing a deep hunger for authentic faith experiences. As a church, we must pray and work towards being a place where young people find hope and purpose in Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance: Joshua's message to Israel was clear: the mission is not over. We must remain vigilant in our faith, adhering to God's word and loving Him wholeheartedly. This spiritual vigilance is crucial for our personal growth and for passing on our faith to future generations. [01:26:17]
2. Parents as Primary Disciple-Makers: Parents have the most significant influence on their children's spiritual development. By prioritizing their own relationship with Jesus and engaging in open, honest conversations, parents can create a fertile environment for their children's faith to grow. [01:32:11]
3. The Role of the Church Community: The church must provide a supportive community with multiple spiritual voices for young people. This involves creating spaces for relational ministry and ensuring that young people have mentors and role models who can guide them in their faith journey. [01:26:17]
4. Engaging the Next Generation: The next generation is not just the future of the church; they are the present. We need their gifts, perspectives, and energy to fulfill our mission. Encouraging them to take ownership of their faith and engage in spiritual conversations is vital for the church's growth and vitality. [01:32:11]
5. Revival and Retreat Among Gen Z: While many young people are leaving the church, there is also a significant spiritual revival happening. We must pray and work towards being a church that is different, where young people find authentic faith experiences and are inspired to live out their faith boldly. [01:26:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:30] - Personal Story: Fear of Missing Out
- [00:07:45] - Introduction to Joshua 23
- [00:12:00] - Joshua's Call to Israel's Leaders
- [00:18:15] - The Mission is Not Over
- [00:25:00] - Passing the Mantle to the Next Generation
- [00:32:30] - Parents as Primary Disciple-Makers
- [00:40:00] - The Role of the Church Community
- [00:47:15] - Engaging the Next Generation
- [00:55:00] - Revival and Retreat Among Gen Z
- [01:02:30] - A Call to Prayer and Action
- [01:10:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
- [01:15:30] - Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 23:1-13
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Psalm 78:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did Joshua give to the leaders of Israel in Joshua 23 regarding their spiritual journey? [01:26:17]
2. How does Joshua 23 emphasize the importance of adhering to God's law and loving Him wholeheartedly? [01:26:17]
3. In the sermon, what role do parents play in the spiritual development of their children according to Deuteronomy 6:4-9? [01:32:11]
4. What are some of the challenges and opportunities mentioned in the sermon regarding the spiritual movements among Gen Z? [01:26:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Joshua emphasize the need for spiritual vigilance and adherence to God's law even after the Israelites have found rest in the Promised Land? [01:26:17]
2. How can the church community effectively support parents in their role as primary disciple-makers, as discussed in the sermon? [01:32:11]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the potential impact of having multiple spiritual voices in a young person's life? [01:32:11]
4. How does the revival among Gen Z on college campuses reflect a hunger for authentic faith experiences, and what can the church learn from this? [01:26:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. How can you remain vigilant in your faith and adhere to God's word in your daily life? [01:26:17]
2. If you are a parent, what steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with Jesus and engage in open conversations with your children about faith? [01:32:11]
3. How can you, as a member of the church community, become a supportive spiritual voice for the young people in your congregation? [01:32:11]
4. Consider the spiritual movements among Gen Z. How can you contribute to creating an environment in your church where young people find hope and purpose in Jesus? [01:26:17]
5. Identify one young person in your life who might benefit from mentorship. What practical steps can you take to invest in their spiritual growth this week? [01:32:11]
6. How can you encourage the next generation to take ownership of their faith and engage in spiritual conversations within the church? [01:32:11]
7. Reflect on the revival happening on college campuses. How can you pray and work towards being a part of a church that offers authentic faith experiences to young people? [01:26:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Vigilance in Our Faith Journey
In Joshua 23, Joshua gathers Israel's leaders to remind them of God's faithfulness and the ongoing mission. He emphasizes that while the Israelites have found rest in the Promised Land, their spiritual journey is far from over. Joshua urges them to remain strong, adhere to God's law, and love the Lord wholeheartedly. This call to spiritual vigilance is crucial for personal growth and for passing on faith to future generations. It is a reminder that the mission is not over, and we must remain vigilant in our faith, adhering to God's word and loving Him wholeheartedly. [01:26:17]
Joshua 23:6-8 (ESV): "Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure that you are adhering to God's word and remaining spiritually vigilant in your daily life?
Day 2: Parents as Primary Disciple-Makers
Parents have the most significant influence on their children's spiritual development. By prioritizing their own relationship with Jesus and engaging in open, honest conversations, parents can create a fertile environment for their children's faith to grow. This involves spending time with Jesus, having a clear spiritual vision for their children, and being intentional about disciple-making in the home. Parents are called to be the primary spiritual guides for their children, nurturing their faith and helping them to grow in their relationship with God. [01:32:11]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate spiritual conversations and practices into your daily routine with your children or young people in your life?
Day 3: The Role of the Church Community
The church must provide a supportive community with multiple spiritual voices for young people. This involves creating spaces for relational ministry and ensuring that young people have mentors and role models who can guide them in their faith journey. A supportive church community fosters an environment where faith can thrive, offering encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth. It is essential for the church to be a place where young people feel valued and supported in their spiritual journey. [01:26:17]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to today to offer encouragement or seek mentorship in your spiritual journey?
Day 4: Engaging the Next Generation
The next generation is not just the future of the church; they are the present. We need their gifts, perspectives, and energy to fulfill our mission. Encouraging them to take ownership of their faith and engage in spiritual conversations is vital for the church's growth and vitality. Young people are called to step into their roles as active members of the church, using their gifts and engaging in spiritual conversations. Their involvement is crucial for the church's mission and vitality. [01:32:11]
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: What is one way you can actively engage with the next generation in your church, encouraging them to use their gifts and participate in the life of the church?
Day 5: Revival and Retreat Among Gen Z
While many young people are leaving the church, there is also a significant spiritual revival happening. We must pray and work towards being a church that is different, where young people find authentic faith experiences and are inspired to live out their faith boldly. This involves recognizing the challenges and opportunities within Gen Z and being intentional about creating spaces where they can encounter Jesus in meaningful ways. The church is called to be a place of hope and purpose for young people, inspiring them to live out their faith boldly. [01:26:17]
Joel 2:28-29 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an environment in your church where young people feel inspired and empowered to live out their faith authentically?
Quotes
"Joshua recognizes that the mission is not over so what does Joshua do? He calls the leaders, he calls the next generation, and he passes the mantle of leadership to the next generation just like it was passed to him in Joshua chapter one after Moses passed away. Yes, there would be more physical battles, but his emphasis was on a spiritual one." [00:57:22] (24 seconds)
"He knows that it is a spiritual battle that was going to have to be fought for the years to come and he would have also known in this spiritual battle for the years to come that the group that he was addressing wasn't going to be the group that was going to be able to fulfill it for the years to come." [01:01:35] (20 seconds)
"To parents, I want to say this: if we're talking about reaching and preparing the next generation, that the mission is not over and it doesn't end with us and there's another generation that's coming, you need to recognize that it begins with you. God has ordained for you to be the primary disciple maker in your kid's life." [01:04:31] (19 seconds)
"Discipling your kids is very hard. Parenting is very hard. The culture that we live in makes it very hard. The pace in which we lead makes it very hard. And the enemy makes it very hard because see here's the deal: God ordained it. He knows God ordained it. He knows it's about need to reach in the next generation and he doesn't like it." [01:08:34] (24 seconds)
"When it comes to discipling your kids, there's three things that I want to share just real quick practically with you. I realize there's some nuances with this and we're going to go through them quick but hopefully there's something in this that you can take that maybe you can even apply today when it comes to discipling your kids." [01:13:47] (19 seconds)
"Another way is what I call make space, invite in, and pour into. Make space, invite in, and pour into. So what this looks like, it kind of looks like the internship that we just got done with in the fall. So we had a couple of young adults come to us and say, 'Hey, is there any possibility of doing an internship here?'" [01:25:58] (19 seconds)
"We need you guys to be bold and to be courageous and to get in the game in these walls and outside of these walls because that's what a disciple of Jesus does regardless of maybe what you see. We need you. Jump in. Your generation is extremely open to spiritual conversations. Statistics showing that." [01:40:54] (24 seconds)
"May we be different now to the next generation. To the next generation, we need you. We need you. If you're a follower of Jesus, you are the church of tomorrow but you're also the church of today. And if you're the church of today and you have a relationship with Jesus, the same Holy Spirit that lives inside of you lives in the most mature oldest believer that's here in this room." [01:44:08] (35 seconds)
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