Empowering the Next Generation Through Collective Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Collective Responsibility in Shaping the Future

Description: Investing in the next generation is a mission that involves every member of the church community. It is not just the responsibility of a few volunteers but a collective effort that starts from the leadership and flows through every level of the church. This commitment is crucial in shaping the future and ensuring that the younger generation grows up with strong spiritual foundations. The influence of every member, especially men, is vital in this mission. By actively participating in the lives of the younger generation, we can make a significant impact and help them grow in their faith. [05:55]

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: Think of one young person in your church or community. How can you intentionally invest in their spiritual growth this week?

Day 2: Living for God's Kingdom

Description: Our focus should be on living for God's kingdom rather than earthly pursuits. This involves leading our homes and communities with a spiritual focus, aiming for revival and a genuine move of God. Being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did should be our ultimate goal. This means prioritizing spiritual growth and making disciples, not just filling seats in the church. Every member of the church, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others, has a role to play in this mission. By living for God's kingdom, we can bring about a transformative change in our communities. [11:04]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: What is one earthly pursuit that you can set aside this week to focus more on God's kingdom? How can you lead your family or community in this direction?

Day 3: Restoration Through Jesus

Description: Sin separates us from God, but through Jesus, we are being restored. This restoration is not just for our benefit but also for the world around us. We have the responsibility to bring heaven down to earth, to bring hope, peace, and joy into our world. This mission is urgent and vital, especially in light of the brokenness we see around us. By reminding ourselves and the next generation of who they are in Christ, we can counter the negative voices that tell them otherwise. The story of a young man from the community highlights the urgency of this mission and the need for restoration through Jesus. [18:38]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel broken or separated from God. How can you invite Jesus into that area for restoration and healing?

Day 4: Being a Light in the Darkness

Description: We are called to be a light in the darkness, to shine brightly and not hide our faith. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones, whether it's through prayer, serving, or sharing the good news. Our faith should be evident in our actions and words, and we should be intentional in making a positive impact on those around us. By being a light in the darkness, we can bring hope and encouragement to those who are struggling. This requires courage and a willingness to be uncomfortable, but the impact can be profound. [23:44]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can be a light this week. How can you step out of your comfort zone to share your faith or serve others?

Day 5: The Power of Prayer

Description: Prayer is not the least we can do; it is the best we can do. We need to be intentional in our prayers, knowing who is praying for us and for whom we are praying. Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us to God and empowers us to fulfill our mission. By being intentional in our prayers, we can support and uplift each other, and bring about positive change in our communities. Prayer should be a central part of our lives, and we should make it a priority to pray for those in need and for God's guidance in our own lives. [27:44]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs prayer. How can you commit to praying for them intentionally this week? Can you also reach out to let them know you are praying for them?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to honor and appreciate the incredible work of our GKids volunteers and the broader church community. We emphasized that investing in the next generation is not just a task for a few but a collective mission for all of us at Generation Church. This commitment stems from our lead pastors, Brandon and Jessica Petty, and permeates through every level of our church. We are reminded that our influence, especially as men, is crucial in shaping the lives of the younger generation. The story of Deacon Tuttle serves as a powerful example of how impactful our involvement can be.

We delved into the importance of living for God's kingdom rather than earthly pursuits. This involves leading our homes and communities with a focus on spiritual growth and revival. We don't just want to talk about a move of God; we want to be part of it. This means being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. Our role is to make disciples, not just seat warmers, and this starts with us—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and every member of the church.

Reflecting on the story of Adam and Eve, we discussed how sin separates us from God but through Jesus, we are being restored. We have the responsibility to bring heaven down to earth, to bring hope, peace, and joy into our world. We must remind ourselves and the next generation of who they are in Christ, countering the negative voices that tell them otherwise. The tragic story of a young man from our community underscores the urgency of this mission.

We are called to be a light in the darkness, to shine brightly and not hide our faith. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones, whether it's through prayer, serving, or simply sharing the good news. We need to be intentional in our prayers, knowing who is praying for us and for whom we are praying. Prayer is not the least we can do; it is the best we can do. As we move forward, let's be obedient to God's call, whether that means serving, praying, or simply being present for those in need.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Collective Responsibility: Investing in the next generation is a collective mission for all members of Generation Church. It's not just about a few volunteers but about everyone taking part in shaping the future. This commitment starts from our leadership and flows through every level of our church community. [05:55]
2. Living for God's Kingdom: Our focus should be on living for God's kingdom rather than earthly pursuits. This involves leading our homes and communities with a spiritual focus, aiming for revival and a genuine move of God. We must be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did. [11:04]
3. Restoration Through Jesus: Sin separates us from God, but through Jesus, we are being restored. We have the responsibility to bring heaven down to earth, to bring hope, peace, and joy into our world. This mission is urgent and vital, especially in light of the brokenness we see around us. [18:38]
4. Being a Light in the Darkness: We are called to be a light in the darkness, to shine brightly and not hide our faith. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones, whether it's through prayer, serving, or sharing the good news. Our faith should be evident in our actions and words. [23:44]
5. Power of Prayer: Prayer is not the least we can do; it is the best we can do. We need to be intentional in our prayers, knowing who is praying for us and for whom we are praying. Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us to God and empowers us to fulfill our mission. [27:44]
### [27:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:55] - Collective Responsibility
[06:36] - Honoring Deacon Tuttle
[11:04] - Living for God's Kingdom
[12:20] - Gratitude and Commitment
[17:14] - Making Disciples
[18:38] - Restoration Through Jesus
[19:54] - Where Are You?
[20:59] - Who Told You That?
[22:15] - Good News and Hope
[23:44] - Being a Light in the Darkness
[25:08] - Believing in the Next Generation
[26:04] - Embracing Uncomfortability
[27:44] - Power of Prayer
[29:31] - Call to Serve and Pray
[31:02] - Praying for Our Communities
[31:56] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the main message of the sermon regarding our collective responsibility at Generation Church? ([05:55])
How does the story of Deacon Tuttle illustrate the impact of investing in the next generation? ([06:36])
According to the sermon, what does it mean to live for God's kingdom rather than earthly pursuits? ([11:04])
How does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 relate to our mission of bringing heaven to earth? ([18:38])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be a light in the darkness, and how can this be practically applied in our daily lives? ([23:44])
How does the concept of restoration through Jesus challenge us to bring hope, peace, and joy into our communities? ([18:38])
Why is prayer considered the best thing we can do, and how does it empower us to fulfill our mission? ([27:44])
How can we counter the negative voices that tell the next generation they are unworthy or defined by their mistakes? ([20:59])

Application Questions

Reflect on your role in investing in the next generation. What specific actions can you take to contribute to this collective mission at Generation Church? ([05:55])
In what ways can you lead your home and community with a focus on spiritual growth and revival? Identify one area where you can make a change this week. ([11:04])
Think about a time when you felt separated from God due to sin. How did you experience restoration through Jesus, and how can you share that experience with others? ([18:38])
Identify a situation where you can step out of your comfort zone to shine your faith. What specific steps will you take to be a light in that situation? ([23:44])
Who are the people you are intentionally praying for, and who is praying for you? Make a list and commit to praying for them daily. ([27:44])
How can you remind the next generation of their identity in Christ? Think of one young person you can encourage this week and plan how you will do it. ([20:59])
What is one specific way you can bring hope, peace, or joy into your community this week? Share your plan with the group and ask for their support and prayers. ([19:06])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We get to help bring heaven down to earth in the meantime. That is awesome. Wow. That should come with some weight. You should feel that. You should feel that. We get to help bring heaven here. Yes. Come on. We get to help bring hope here. Yes. Peace here. Yes. Joy. Yes. All that. We get to bring that here. Come on, y'all. That's exciting." [19:06] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Somebody say we have hope. The same power that rose Jesus up from the grave, if you have put your faith and trust in him, lives in you. Woo! Come on. That's power. on, y'all. And so I can tell you what our job is a lot on Wednesdays and Sundays is trying to remind the next generation of who they are. Who? Who are? Who am I? There's so much confusion in the world, y'all." [22:15] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We can continue to bring light in a dark place. The Bible says we are a light. We're not supposed to cover this light, right? It's supposed to shine. Come on, y'all. Why are we like this? Like we're scared. Y'all, the disciples got killed, hung on a cross upside down because of their faith. And we're just scared to talk to somebody at a gas station. Come on, y'all. It starts with us." [25:08] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Allow God to get you uncomfortable because he will move in your life. What did Deacon say? 110% guarantee he will. Guarantee. Guarantee. But I said something last experience. Maybe you're, God's not tugging you to volunteer or to serve or whatever. But maybe he is tugging on your life to pray. Like intentionally pray." [26:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have as much access to Jesus as you want. Some of you here. We can go there. You know what I'm saying? We can go there. So maybe today, the best thing you can do is just come and pray. You can move right now. I don't care. I don't think this time now is the time where you start packing your families up and getting out of here so you can get to El Azteca. Man, I see you sometimes. Hey, baby, get the kids." [28:26] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We are a church that invests in the next generation. Okay? So if you call GC your home, welcome aboard. Okay? Welcome aboard. Welcome. But yeah, about to share another story that I love and it's so dear to my heart." [06:36] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "To make disciples. Not seat warmers. Disciples. Disciples. Followers of the way. The way. The way. The only way. What's that look like? Being with Jesus. Becoming like him. Doing what he did. Parents, that means for you to be with Jesus. Be like him. Do what he did." [17:14] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Who told you that? That's not what I told you. I told you you were fearfully and wonderfully made. I told you you were created anew in Christ Jesus. I told you you were a masterpiece. I told you you were created in my image. Who told you that? And can I remind you what we do? Kelly, James, Lindsay, myself, on Sundays and on Wednesdays, we are at teenagers and kids' face. Hey, who told you that?" [21:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If man and woman in this place today, if you do not know what God says about you, how do you plan on telling the next generation behind you of who? Who they are when you don't believe it? We're not asking you to babysit people or entertain people. We're asking you to help remind them of who they are. Let's do something about it. You know what I'm saying? We can fuss all the time on Facebook. Man, look what they did at this. Does that shock you? That non-believers are acting like non-believers. Come on. They don't shock me." [23:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Maybe, men, today is your opportunity to sign up for Men's Retreat when those registrations go live. Women, maybe it's time to step up and join a women's community. Join a D-group, join something. Get involved. I don't know what it might be. I don't know. But with every head bowed and every eyes closed today, I'm just going to let the Holy Spirit move as he sees fit. I'm not going to ask you to raise your hand. I'm not going to ask you to open your eyes. I'm not asking you to do anything but to be obedient." [29:31] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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