They Need You: Raising Up the Next Generation

Devotional

Day 1: Overflowing Love for Jesus Impacts the Next Generation

The greatest gift you can give the next generation is not material wealth, traditions, or even memorable experiences, but a passionate, overflowing love for Jesus that is visible and real. When your heart is truly captivated by Christ, it overflows into every relationship and environment, shaping the faith of those who come after you. The next generation is watching not just what you say, but how deeply you love God—your authentic devotion will inspire them far more than any words or routines. Let your love for Jesus be the legacy you pass on, igniting a hunger for God in those who follow. [41:14]

Philippians 1:9-10 (ESV)
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Reflection: When those closest to you observe your daily life, do they see a genuine, overflowing love for Jesus? What is one way you can intentionally show your love for Christ today so that the next generation can witness it firsthand?

Day 2: Returning to Your First Love

It is possible to be busy serving God, doing good works, and enduring hardship, yet drift away from the passionate love you once had for Jesus. The call is to remember where you started, repent, and return to that first love—rekindling the warmth and devotion that once defined your relationship with Christ. This renewal is not just for your own sake, but because the next generation needs to see a faith that is alive, not just dutiful. Let your heart be stirred again, and let your love for Jesus be the foundation of all you do. [45:19]

Revelation 2:2-5 (ESV)
“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

Reflection: Think back to when you first fell in love with Jesus—what practices or moments fueled that passion? What is one thing you can do today to return to that place of first love?

Day 3: Embracing the Call to Disciple with Patience

The next generation is not yet fully formed, and that is by God’s design—He entrusts them to us so we can patiently disciple, encourage, and bring them up in faith. Instead of frustration when they falter or repeat mistakes, see it as your opportunity and calling to invest, guide, and nurture them. Every generation has a role to play in raising up the next, and your patience and commitment can make all the difference in their journey toward maturity in Christ. [49:24]

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Reflection: Who in the next generation has God placed in your life to disciple or encourage? How can you respond with patience and intentionality the next time they struggle or fall short?

Day 4: Never Stop Contending for the Next Generation’s Miracle

It is easy to become content with what God has done in your own life and lose sight of the need to keep contending for the next generation’s breakthrough. The story of Hezekiah warns us not to settle for peace in our own days while neglecting to pray, believe, and fight for God’s move in those who come after us. Your prayers, faith, and spiritual hunger can shape destinies beyond your own lifetime—don’t stop believing for miracles in the lives of the next generation. [56:09]

Isaiah 38:1-5 (ESV)
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.”

Reflection: Is there a young person or group you’ve stopped praying for or believing God to move in? What is one specific way you can begin contending for their miracle again this week?

Day 5: Every Generation Has a Vital Role in God’s Story

God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—He works through all generations, and each has a unique and essential part to play in His unfolding plan. Whether you are a grandparent, parent, or youth, your faith, prayers, and willingness to invest in others are needed for a thriving, multi-generational church. Don’t wait for someone else to go first; step into your role, reach out to those younger than you, and trust that God will use your obedience to shape the future. [01:00:31]

Psalm 145:4 (ESV)
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

Reflection: What is one intentional step you can take this week to encourage, pray for, or invest in someone from a different generation in your church or family?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to recognize the profound work God is doing in and through the next generation. We paused to honor the presence of the Holy Spirit among us, asking for open eyes and hearts to see ourselves as sons and daughters of God, and to recognize the unique calling on the lives of our children and youth. As we dedicated families and prayed over children, we acknowledged that our role as parents, mentors, and a church family is to steward, not possess, the lives entrusted to us. We are called to surround these young ones with encouragement, wisdom, and a community that models faith and love.

We also took time to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom, praying for our nation and asking God to keep us vigilant in upholding what is good and true. In the same spirit, we recognized that the church is always in a season of contending—whether for a permanent home, for miracles in our lives, or for the spiritual future of the next generation. Prayer is not an afterthought but the foundation of all we do, and we are called to bring our children into environments of faith, teaching them to pray and believe from a young age.

The heart of our calling is clear: the next generation needs us. Not just in word, but in the overflow of our love for Jesus. The greatest inheritance we can give is not material, but a visible, passionate relationship with Christ. Our children and youth are watching—not just what we say, but how we live, how we worship, and how we contend for God’s promises. Every generation has a role: the wisdom and prayers of the elders, the vision and perseverance of parents, and the hope and energy of youth. We must resist the temptation to focus only on our own comfort or spiritual journey; instead, we are called to keep contending for the miracles and destinies of those who come after us.

God’s design is for a church of three generations—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—each needed, each valued, each called to invest in the others. Whether you are a grandparent, a parent, or a young person, you are needed. Let us not grow weary or frustrated in the work of discipleship, but remember that God has placed us here to bring up, encourage, and contend for the next generation. May our love for Jesus be rekindled, our vision renewed, and our prayers bold as we partner with God in shaping the future.

Key Takeaways

1. Overflowing love for Jesus is our greatest legacy The most significant gift we can offer the next generation is not wealth, tradition, or even wisdom, but a visible, passionate love for Jesus. When our relationship with Christ is vibrant and authentic, it becomes the wellspring from which all other influence flows. The next generation is watching for evidence that our faith is real, and nothing shapes them more than seeing us love God deeply and sincerely. [39:49]
2. Discipleship requires patience, not frustration God entrusts us with the next generation in an unfinished state, and it is our privilege—not our burden—to help bring them up. Instead of growing frustrated when they repeat mistakes or seem slow to mature, we are called to remember that growth is a process. Our role is to patiently guide, encourage, and model grace, knowing that God is forming them through our investment and example. [48:36]
3. Every generation is essential in God’s plan A thriving, next-generation church is not built by youth alone, but by the active participation of every age group. The wisdom of elders, the energy of parents, and the hope of youth are all necessary for God’s purposes to be fulfilled. When each generation steps into its role—praying, mentoring, and contending together—the church becomes a place where faith is multiplied and the future is secured. [60:14]
4. Never stop contending for the next generation’s miracle It is easy to become comfortable or to focus only on our own spiritual journey, but God calls us to keep fighting in prayer and faith for those who come after us. The story of Hezekiah warns us against settling for peace in “our days” alone. We must remain vigilant, interceding for the breakthroughs, callings, and destinies of the next generation, believing that God will do even greater things in their lives. [56:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:02] - Praying for the Next Generation
[29:13] - Family and Baby Dedications
[31:38] - Celebrating God’s Work in Our Church
[33:12] - Honoring Sacrifice and Praying for Canada
[35:03] - Invitation to Church-Wide Prayer
[36:16] - Introducing “They Need You”
[36:44] - Overflowing Love and Spiritual Growth
[39:49] - The Greatest Gift: Loving Jesus
[40:46] - Every Generation’s Role
[44:08] - Rekindling First Love for God
[47:43] - Stop Getting Frustrated with Discipleship
[50:55] - Calling Men to Invest in Youth
[54:06] - Contending for the Next Generation’s Miracle
[60:14] - The Power of Three Generations
[62:23] - Contending in Prayer Together
[65:55] - Invitation to Salvation and Surrender

Sermon Clips

``You know that the greatest gift that you will give to the next generation is living in love with Jesus. The greatest gift that you will give to the next generation is not the environment. It's the inheritance that you will pass on. How many of you are a little bit focused on that? You watch that, you think about that. That's okay, there's nothing wrong with that. The Psalmist says that the righteous person leaves an inheritance to their children's children. And so there's nothing wrong with thinking about leaving an inheritance. But that's not the greatest gift you'll give them. The greatest gift won't be the vacations that you take them on. Even the wonderful, beautiful memories that you make together as a family, if you're a family unit. It's not gonna be the traditions you pass on. Whether you are a November 1st Christmas music kind of family, you're a little bit crazy, like my wife is. Like November 1st starts the Christmas. Where's my November 1st starters, where are you? Like if you have a Christmas tree already, you need Jesus. You need help. It's too soon. I don't want to get controversial in church. It's not a theological topic. It's just true. You know what I mean? Like it's just, whatever. It doesn't matter the traditions that you pass on. The greatest gift you'll give to the next generation is your passion and love for Jesus. [00:38:45] (71 seconds) #LivingLoveLegacy

For those of us who are Jesus followers in the room, I think at some point all of us recognized that we needed a Savior. I'd messed up. I was away from God. There was brokenness in my life. I need God. And so we turned to God and said, God, save me. And so we've known God as a Savior. We believe in God. But do you love God? When you hear the name Jesus, what does it do to your heart? Is there a warmth that overwhelms you? When you hear the name of Jesus, do you think, I'm a lover of God? [00:43:32] (33 seconds) #KeepContendingMiracles

Because you can be saved and on your way to heaven and still be drifting away from a love-first relationship. How do we know that? Revelation chapter 2. Jesus speaks to John. John has a vision. Jesus has died, resurrected, ascended to heaven. And John has this revelation and he writes it down for us. And in that revelation, he has a vision of Jesus. And Jesus says, I want you to write some letters to some churches. And the very first one that he asks John to write is to a church called Ephesus. And this is what Jesus says to the church. I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance. So like, good on you, church. Way to go. You've been working hard. You showed up early. You're a portable church eight years in. You didn't give up. You kept on setting up. Kept on tearing down. I see that. And you're patient with it. And you can't bear those who are evil. But you've tested those who call themselves apostles and are not and found them to be false. So there was some theological arguments. And you were able to have spiritual discernment to know what's right and what's wrong. God will give you that too. And I know you're enduring patiently. So you're going through some stuff. It's 2025. There's some crazy in your world. You're enduring that. Way to go. Good on you. And bearing up for my name's sake. And you've not grown weary. But then verse 4 comes along and he says, but I have this against you. Meaning there's still growth for you. There's still a place I need to challenge you in. There's still an opportunity for you to mature. And Jesus said, this is it. You have abandoned the love you had at first. [00:44:06] (89 seconds) #NextGenDiscipleship

Remember when you first came. Jesus is saying, you can be bearing up. You can be working hard. You can be doing great things for God. And be doing it simply out of routine. And not living in this abounding, overwhelming, overflowing love relationship with God. Well, what's the remedy? Verse 5, Jesus says this. Just go on and remember. Remember therefore where you have fallen and repent. And that word sounds heavy. But really, it just means turn back. Go back to where you were. And do the works you did at first. So how do you get that love back if you've been drifting away from an overwhelming, abounding love for Jesus? Remember. Let's begin to remember what God did for you in a previous season. [00:45:35] (41 seconds) #StopFrustrationStartFaith

And when it comes to leading the next generation, they are watching you. They will care far less what you say about Jesus and more how much they know that you love Jesus. Let me ask you this question. Do they see you on your face before God? Can they tell that it's real? I honestly believe in my family. My kids know if I've had my time with Jesus in the morning. Like, they just, they can tell. I'm a different person. I genuinely am. Like, you don't want to get just me on my own. You need me with the Holy Spirit. [00:46:45] (33 seconds) #GenerationsUnited

Again, I'm not just talking to parents. The next generation is on all of us. They're not yet fully formed. And sometimes what we do is when they're not listening and when they're a little bit difficult, and when they're having to learn the same lesson for the 37th time, we can find ourselves just being frustrated. Why aren't they getting it yet? Instead of saying, you know what, it's okay that they're not where they are yet. That's why I'm here. [00:48:33] (27 seconds)

I've told you a story like this. It happened again yesterday. I was eating some scrambled eggs at breakfast. My little dude came up to me and he whispered in my ear and he's like, hey, Dad, I just prayed for you. was like, okay, buddy. What did you pray for? He's like, I prayed for your back, Dad. My little guy knows how to contend because he's got leaders that contend. But let me ask all of us across the room. Are you living off of contending for God in a prior season? Or are you still contending? Still contending for their miracle? [00:59:25] (34 seconds)

To the Isaacs and to the Rebeccas in the room today. You're needed. And even in the same way that we were saying, hey, you need to raise up the next generation. You can get to my generation and sort of have this, but I didn't have that for me attitude. And you could start to think of what Abraham didn't do for you. And what leaders didn't do for you. And how leaders didn't develop you and mature you. And you're like, I need a father, but I don't know how to father. Let me say it this way too. Stop waiting for Abraham to do what he's not going to do. God's brought you here. He will develop you. If you will just reach down. And grab the next generation. God's got you. There's so much significance if you're in that generation. Sort of that late 30s through your 40s into your early 50s. You are in that window of contending. Don't stop contending. [01:01:07] (45 seconds)

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