Empowering the Next Generation to Shine for Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Next Generation's Impact

Our children and youth are not just the future; they are the present force for God's kingdom. As they go into their schools, they carry the potential to be lights in their hallways, making an eternal difference. It's our responsibility to support and encourage them in their journey. We must recognize the incredible potential they have to influence their peers and environments positively. By praying over them and providing them with the necessary spiritual tools, we can help them navigate the challenges they face and shine brightly for Jesus.

The church's role is to create an environment where the next generation feels valued and empowered. This involves not only teaching them biblical truths but also modeling a life of faith and service. When children and youth see adults living out their faith authentically, they are more likely to embrace and live out their own faith. As a community, we must commit to investing in the spiritual growth of our young people, knowing that they are capable of making a significant impact now and in the future. [22:07]

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 a young person in your life. How can you support and encourage them in their faith journey today?

Day 2: We Are the Church

The church is not confined to a building or a set of programs. It is made up of individuals who are called to make a difference. Each one of us, with our unique gifts and imperfections, is the perfect person to impact the world for Jesus. The story of Gideon in Judges 6 illustrates this truth. Despite his initial doubts and feelings of inadequacy, God assured him that he was the perfect person for the task because God was with him.

We must embrace our identity as the church and recognize that our collective impact is powerful. When we come together, each bringing our unique gifts and perspectives, we can accomplish great things for God's kingdom. It's important to remember that our imperfections do not disqualify us; rather, they highlight God's grace and power working through us. By stepping into our calling with confidence, we can be a light in a world that desperately needs hope and love. [42:03]

1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV): "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

Reflection: What unique gifts and talents do you have that can be used to serve others and make a difference in your community?

Day 3: Thrive, Don't Just Survive

Like Gideon, we often find ourselves in survival mode, focused on protecting what we have. However, God calls us to lift our eyes and thrive, trusting that He has greater plans for us. Our circumstances do not change God's character; He is worthy of our trust and worship in every season. When we shift our focus from merely surviving to thriving, we open ourselves up to the abundant life that God has promised us.

Thriving involves stepping out in faith, even when the future seems uncertain. It means trusting that God is with us and that He will provide for our needs. By keeping our eyes on Him and seeking His guidance, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope. As we thrive, we become a testimony to others of God's faithfulness and love, inspiring them to seek Him as well. [54:07]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you merely surviving? How can you shift your focus to thrive and trust in God's greater plans for you?

Day 4: Your Strength is His Call

Our strength lies not in our abilities but in God's call on our lives. When God calls us, He equips us. We may feel inadequate, but God sees our potential and empowers us to accomplish His purposes. The story of Gideon is a powerful reminder that God often chooses unlikely individuals to carry out His plans. Despite Gideon's initial reluctance, God assured him that he was the right person for the task because God was with him.

We must remember that our feelings of inadequacy do not limit God's ability to work through us. When we respond to His call with faith and obedience, He provides the strength and resources we need to succeed. By relying on God's power rather than our own, we can accomplish things we never thought possible and bring glory to His name. [59:32]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is one area where you feel inadequate? How can you trust God to equip and empower you to fulfill His call in that area?

Day 5: Keep Your Eyes Up

It's easy to get bogged down by our immediate needs and circumstances. However, God calls us to keep our eyes up, ready for the opportunities He places before us. By staying alert and focused on His mission, we can make a significant impact in the lives of those around us. When we lift our eyes from our own concerns and look for ways to serve others, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the joy of being used by Him.

Keeping our eyes up involves being attentive to the needs of those around us and being willing to step out in faith to meet those needs. It means being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and being ready to act when He prompts us. As we cultivate a posture of readiness and responsiveness, we become vessels through which God's love and grace can flow to others. [01:06:50]

Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What distractions or concerns are keeping you from seeing the opportunities God has placed before you? How can you refocus your attention on His mission today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we celebrated the next generation and the incredible impact they can have for Jesus. It's a blessing to be part of a church that prioritizes children and youth, guiding them to make an eternal difference. We prayed over them, asking God to anoint and favor them as they go into their schools, shining as lights in their hallways. We also celebrated the growth of our church, including the expansion of our children's ministry space and the success of our community outreach events like You Matter Week and the Back to School Bash.

The core of today's message is that we, the people, are the church. The church is not a building or a set of programs; it's each one of us, with all our imperfections and unique gifts, called to make a powerful impact in the world. We looked at the story of Gideon in Judges 6, where God calls an unlikely hero to lead Israel against the Midianites. Despite Gideon's initial doubts and feelings of inadequacy, God assures him that he is the perfect person for the task because God is with him.

We are reminded that our strength comes from God's call on our lives. We must shift our focus from merely surviving to thriving, trusting that God has equipped us for the mission. It's crucial to keep our eyes up, looking for opportunities to serve and make a difference, rather than being consumed by our own circumstances. By doing so, we can seize the opportunities God places before us and bring His love and light into the world.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Next Generation's Impact: Our children and youth are not just the future; they are the present force for God's kingdom. As they go into their schools, they carry the potential to be lights in their hallways, making an eternal difference. It's our responsibility to support and encourage them in their journey. [22:07]
2. We Are the Church: The church is not confined to a building or a set of programs. It is made up of individuals who are called to make a difference. Each one of us, with our unique gifts and imperfections, is the perfect person to impact the world for Jesus. [42:03]
3. Thrive, Don't Just Survive: Like Gideon, we often find ourselves in survival mode, focused on protecting what we have. However, God calls us to lift our eyes and thrive, trusting that He has greater plans for us. Our circumstances do not change God's character; He is worthy of our trust and worship in every season. [54:07]
4. Your Strength is His Call: Our strength lies not in our abilities but in God's call on our lives. When God calls us, He equips us. We may feel inadequate, but God sees our potential and empowers us to accomplish His purposes. [59:32]
5. Keep Your Eyes Up: It's easy to get bogged down by our immediate needs and circumstances. However, God calls us to keep our eyes up, ready for the opportunities He places before us. By staying alert and focused on His mission, we can make a significant impact in the lives of those around us. [01:06:50]
### [66:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:07] - Celebrating the Next Generation
[22:42] - Praying Over Our Youth
[23:27] - The Importance of Youth Ministry
[24:21] - Empowering Our Children
[24:54] - Celebrating God's Love
[37:47] - God's Presence and Life Change
[38:11] - Embracing the Church Family
[39:04] - Church Growth and Expansion
[39:24] - Building New Classrooms
[40:12] - Full Net Problems
[40:30] - You Matter Week Recap
[41:04] - Back to School Bash Impact
[41:22] - The Purpose of the Church
[42:03] - You Are the Church
[43:06] - The Chaos of Today's World
[44:29] - Building Bridges, Not Chasms
[46:29] - God as a Chaos Wrangler
[47:17] - Seizing Opportunities
[48:00] - We Are the Church Core Value
[49:11] - Relationship with Jesus
[50:03] - Gideon's Story
[54:07] - Thrive, Don't Just Survive
[59:32] - Your Strength is His Call
[66:50] - Keep Your Eyes Up
[70:34] - Active Relationship with Jesus
[71:46] - Making a Difference
[74:04] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and why was he doing it? ([51:45])
How did Gideon initially respond to the angel's greeting and message? ([52:31])
What specific doubts and concerns did Gideon express about his ability to lead Israel? ([53:23])
How did the Lord reassure Gideon about his mission and strength? ([59:32])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Gideon was so focused on his inadequacies despite the angel's encouragement? ([52:51])
What does Gideon's story teach us about God's view of our potential versus our own view? ([53:39])
How does the concept of "thriving, not just surviving" apply to Gideon's situation and to our own lives? ([54:07])
In what ways does keeping our eyes up, as illustrated by the 300 men who drank water while staying alert, relate to our spiritual vigilance today? ([01:06:50])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task God called you to. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Gideon's story to handle similar situations in the future? ([53:23])
How can you support and encourage the next generation in their faith journey, especially as they face challenges in their schools and communities? ([22:42])
What are some practical ways you can shift your focus from merely surviving to thriving in your current circumstances? ([54:07])
Identify one area in your life where you feel you are "white-knuckling" your resources or circumstances. How can you release control and trust God more in this area? ([54:42])
Think of a specific opportunity where you can be a light in your community this week. How will you prepare yourself to seize this opportunity? ([47:17])
How can you keep your spiritual eyes up and stay alert for God's opportunities in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are ready to act when God calls? ([01:06:50])
Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take to deepen this relationship and ensure it is the foundation of your actions and decisions? ([50:03])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I think a thriving next generation ministry from elementary through middle school, high school, even in through college. I think it's such a blessing of God that he trusts us to help impact their life. And I do believe that you guys are going to make an impact." [22:07] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We love you. Come on. You can do better than that. Come on now. I've heard you at football games. These are your kids. Come on. You guys are awesome. Go, JoJo. What's up? Come on Let's celebrate Jesus in the house today Come on God you are worthy of it all And Father we don't just come and sing We don't just come and clap We are celebrating the love of the Father Today And we thank you that no matter who we are Where we've been What we've done God you are here God for life change." [24:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We didn't start the church Just to have a building And fill the room And maybe multiple campuses And all this stuff We didn't fill We didn't start the church for that We started the church So that we could do that And then we could do that And go make a difference And it doesn't matter Who you are What talent you got What ability you got We can all make a difference." [40:30] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You are the church I want to talk about that for a little while today You are the church I want to kind of bust a couple of Ideologies that we may have about church Church is not a building Church is not a parking lot It's not a facility It's not chairs It's not music It's not lights It's not kids ministry That's all facilitating parts of the church." [42:03] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What if salvation isn't just about going to heaven But bringing heaven to earth What if there's a power there What if there's a thought there What if when you go into that middle school That drives you nuts You could be a light in the darkness What if when you go into that And see here's the beauty of it You're going to impact people I'll never ever see." [01:08:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "I want you guys to hear me. When you're going to school, I want you to hear me. You're going to make an impact. You guys are going to make a difference. And you guys are going to make an impact for Jesus. Keep chasing Jesus. Keep asking yourself, what would God do? And remind yourself of these scripture verses and what your teachers are telling you and teaching you. And figure out how to walk this out as you go through life." [22:42] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And the thing is The church is you The church is you And the church is me And all of our imperfections And all of our mess ups And all of our frustrations And all of our ideologies And all of our Everybody's correct opinion Because everybody's is right Right Come on You guys got to wake up a little bit today Come on You know like I know I know I get it Your opinions are always right And all of those That's the beauty of the church Is to be a part of a family Is the church Is the individual people That make up the church." [43:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Whenever we are the church And I want to tell you today That you Yes you Individually Are the perfect person To make a powerful impact In this world You are the perfect person To make a powerful impact In the world And my hope and prayer Is that by the end of today That you'll walk out Believing that Not just hearing that That it does something On the inside of us." [43:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And I just want to say I either believe God is who he is Or he's not And he's that way When I have everything And he's that way When I have nothing He's that way When I'm laying in a hospital bed And he's that way When I'm laying in my bedroom bed He's that way When I'm in a recliner And he's that way Whenever I'm talking A family member off the cliff He's that way No matter what So if he's worthy of worship He's worthy of worship." [58:00] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And the problem with Gideon In that moment Wasn't that he was taking care Of what he needed to take care of It was that That was all he was focused on Do you notice His response to the angel Oh God Have you not seen my life Let me tell you Let me tell you Everything is happening Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh I'm dead serious And the problem was Is he was so worried About protecting what he had That he was about to miss Everything God had." [58:36] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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