Passing Faith: Investing in Future Generations
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of God as the God of generations, emphasizing the importance of passing our faith to the next generation. We began by reflecting on the story of Sir Isaac Newton, whose life was transformed by a teacher named John Houston. Houston saw potential in Newton when others only saw limitations, demonstrating the power of investing in the next generation. This story serves as a reminder that our faith should not end with us but should be passed on to those who come after us.
We delved into biblical examples, such as Moses, who passed his leadership to Joshua, and Elijah, who mentored Elisha. These stories illustrate that God’s work is not confined to one generation but is meant to be a continuous legacy. The Bible commands us to pass our faith from generation to generation, as seen in Exodus, where God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We also discussed the current generation, acknowledging their unique challenges and quirks, like the use of Snapchat, while emphasizing that God can use them to change the world. The analogy of a garden hose was used to illustrate how we can either allow God’s spirit to flow through us or quench it, thereby limiting His work in our lives and the lives of others.
Real-life stories from our community highlighted how young people are being transformed and are, in turn, impacting others. We heard about Sean, who found love and support in our student ministry, and Preston, who brought his sister to faith. These stories are a testament to the power of investing in the next generation.
As a church, we are called to be like John Houston and Elizabeth, investing in young people and ensuring that our faith does not end with us. This is not just a call to serve in ministry but to find young people in our lives and pour into them. Whether it’s our own children, students, or young colleagues, we have the opportunity to be a part of God’s generational work.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Sir Isaac Newton and John Houston illustrates the transformative power of investing in the next generation. When we see potential in others and invest in them, we can change the course of their lives and, potentially, history. [03:35]
- Biblical examples like Moses and Joshua, and Elijah and Elisha, show that God’s work is meant to be passed from one generation to the next. This is a biblical command, not just a suggestion, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and legacy. [07:10]
- The analogy of the garden hose reminds us that we can either allow God’s spirit to flow through us or quench it. By choosing to let God work through us, we can impact those around us and see His work continue through generations. [13:34]
- Real-life stories from our community, like Sean and Preston, demonstrate the impact of investing in young people. These stories show that when we pour into the next generation, we can see lives transformed and faith passed on. [23:18]
- We are called to be like John Houston and Elizabeth, investing in young people and ensuring that our faith does not end with us. This involves finding young people in our lives and pouring into them, whether they are our children, students, or young colleagues. [28:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:35] - The Story of Isaac Newton
- [07:10] - Biblical Examples of Generational Faith
- [13:34] - The Garden Hose Analogy
- [17:46] - Gen Z and the Story of Mary
- [23:18] - Real-Life Stories of Transformation
- [28:59] - The Call to Invest in the Next Generation
- [33:18] - Worship and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: God of Generations
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:15 - "God also said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation."
2. 1 Kings 19:19-21 - The calling of Elisha by Elijah.
3. Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the role of John Houston in Sir Isaac Newton's life, and how did it impact Newton's future? [03:35]
2. How does the story of Moses and Joshua illustrate the concept of God being the God of generations? [07:10]
3. What analogy was used in the sermon to describe how we can allow or quench God's spirit in our lives? [13:34]
4. What transformation did Sean experience through the student ministry, and what role did the community play in it? [23:18]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command in Exodus 3:15 to pass on God's name from generation to generation reflect the importance of spiritual legacy?
2. In what ways do the stories of Elijah and Elisha, and Moses and Joshua, demonstrate the biblical principle of mentorship and legacy? [07:10]
3. How does the analogy of the garden hose relate to the idea of being filled with the Holy Spirit and impacting others? [13:34]
4. What does the story of Sean and the anonymous sponsor teach us about the impact of investing in the next generation? [23:18]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when someone invested in you spiritually. How did it impact your faith journey, and how can you replicate that investment in someone else? [28:59]
2. Identify a young person in your life who you can mentor or support. What specific steps can you take this week to begin investing in their spiritual growth? [28:59]
3. Consider the analogy of the garden hose. Are there areas in your life where you might be quenching the Spirit? What changes can you make to allow God's Spirit to flow more freely through you? [13:34]
4. How can you use your unique skills and resources to support the next generation in your community or church? [28:59]
5. Think about the story of Preston and his sister Gabby. Is there someone in your family or circle of friends who you feel called to share your faith with? What steps can you take to start that conversation? [23:18]
6. Reflect on the challenges faced by the current generation, such as the use of social media. How can you better understand and engage with these challenges to support young people effectively? [17:46]
7. How can you ensure that your faith does not end with you but is passed on to future generations? What legacy do you want to leave behind? [28:59]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Investing in Others
When we invest in the next generation, we have the potential to change lives and even history. The story of Sir Isaac Newton and his teacher, John Houston, illustrates this beautifully. Houston saw potential in Newton when others only saw limitations. By investing in Newton, Houston played a pivotal role in shaping a mind that would go on to revolutionize science. This example serves as a powerful reminder that our faith and influence should not end with us. We are called to see the potential in others and invest in them, trusting that God can use our efforts to create a lasting impact. [03:35]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can invest in today, and what specific action can you take to encourage their growth?
Day 2: The Legacy of Generational Faith
Biblical examples like Moses and Joshua, and Elijah and Elisha, demonstrate that God's work is meant to be passed from one generation to the next. This is not merely a suggestion but a command found throughout Scripture. God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, highlighting the importance of a continuous legacy of faith. Mentorship and legacy are crucial components of our spiritual journey, and we are called to actively participate in God's generational work by passing our faith to those who come after us. [07:10]
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who has been a spiritual mentor in your life, and how can you emulate their example by mentoring someone else?
Day 3: Allowing God's Spirit to Flow Through Us
The analogy of a garden hose reminds us that we have a choice: we can either allow God's spirit to flow through us or quench it. By choosing to let God work through us, we can impact those around us and see His work continue through generations. This requires a willingness to be open to God's leading and to actively participate in His work. When we allow God's spirit to flow through us, we become conduits of His love and grace, impacting not only our own lives but the lives of others as well. [13:34]
"Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you currently quenching God's spirit, and what step can you take today to allow His spirit to flow more freely?
Day 4: The Impact of Investing in Young People
Real-life stories from our community, like those of Sean and Preston, demonstrate the power of investing in young people. When we pour into the next generation, we can see lives transformed and faith passed on. These stories serve as a testament to the impact that intentional investment can have. By providing love, support, and guidance, we can help young people navigate their unique challenges and empower them to make a difference in the world. [23:18]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can support and encourage a young person in your community this week?
Day 5: The Call to Invest in the Next Generation
We are called to be like John Houston and Elizabeth, investing in young people and ensuring that our faith does not end with us. This involves finding young people in our lives and pouring into them, whether they are our children, students, or young colleagues. By doing so, we participate in God's generational work and help ensure that His legacy continues. This is not just a call to serve in ministry but a call to actively engage with the next generation and invest in their spiritual growth. [28:59]
"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one young person in your life who you can intentionally invest in, and consider what specific steps you can take to support their spiritual journey.
Quotes
"I have been the host along with my friend Deborah for our summer series. I've never set up myself like that. As we've talked about how to navigate a life of faith. Now, true story, that camper was borrowed. And day one, they let me drive it with probably not my name on the insurance. And I nailed a curb and the side of it bounced. We had to stop the whole shoot. And I'm just thrilled to still work here, let alone be preaching today. So now today we are talking specifically that if we're going to navigate a life of faith, then that faith can't stop with our life." [00:00:15] (36 seconds)
"And he would go on to kind of believe these lies about himself. Teacher after teacher would say that this boy said three things about himself. He was lazy, or teachers would say, he was lazy, and he was lazy. He could not learn, and he was good for nothing. Lazy, could not learn, and good for nothing. Over and over, teacher after teacher, until a new teacher came into the town. We don't know a ton about the teacher, but we know his name was John Houston, and we know he was a devout follower of Jesus." [00:03:10] (26 seconds)
"and that he would look at the generation behind him and he wouldn't call them things like lazy. He would tell them they have a future and a hope and a purpose and that God can use them in amazing ways. And eventually people like this young man begin to believe him and the days turned into months which turned into years. And John Huston saw that this specific young boy wasn't in fact any of those things but actually had a higher IQ than most." [00:03:35] (23 seconds)
"In fact, he began to not just invest in him academically, not just spiritually, but he began to invest in him financially. He used ties to get him into Cambridge and Trinity or Trinity and Cambridge. And he even used his small teacher salary to help pay for his way where he would go on to break almost every physics record, mathematics record that there was at the school. And today you would know this guy as Sir Isaac Newton." [00:03:58] (25 seconds)
"Now, at the end of this guy's life, Isaac Newton on his grave, literally in Latin, it says an intellect close to the divine. Like this guy's so smart. He's almost God -like is what they're saying. Now, I want you to realize this is the same human with two different verdicts. One said lazy, good for nothing, will not learn. One said this guy is almost God -like in the way that he just thinks." [00:04:35] (25 seconds)
"One man named John Houston who decided that the generation behind him was worth something and that he would invest in them when no one else was. One spiritual parent who wasn't even investing in kids of his own, but the generation behind him that would go on to change. everything. And let me just tell you that if we are going to see God move from generation to generation, if we're going to see what we start just be seeds that turn into giant oak trees, then we're going to need an army of John Houstons at this church." [00:05:01] (34 seconds)
"The book of Exodus, God is speaking directly to a guy named Moses. And as he speaks to this man, Moses, which maybe you've heard of, he led the Israelites out of an exodus. He led the Israelites out of an exodus. He led the exodus from Egypt. He made the 10 commandments. He wrote the first five books of the Bible. This is what God says to Moses." [00:06:12] (18 seconds)
"He said, God also said to Moses, say to the Israelites, the Lord, the God of your fathers. So the God of the generation before you, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Three individuals, but three generations. He says that this is my name. That's my name, the God of generations. And the name that you shall call me from generation to generation, this can't stay with you. It has to be passed on." [00:06:30] (27 seconds)
"in all of the new testament all the old i mean we could go to first samuel where we see a prophet named eli who hears directly from god yet he decides to invest in a guy named samuel that he will pass his faith to i could take you to first kings where maybe you've heard of a prophet named elijah if you haven't elijah did more miracles than anyone out there i mean if this was modern day this was the largest church pastor there is and elijah could have ended right there we could have built statues of elijah instead elijah raised up a guy named elisha that he handed his faith off to that did twice the amount of miracles that elijah ever did god is a god of generations and if we are going to make him a god of this moment in many ways it's self -satisfying but if we could not just say what if it's not great things done in my name but what if the greatest thing i ever do isn't something i do but who i pass my faith on to this could change it all this could change you everything and like i said i believe this is happening here did you know right now this weekend across locations we will see 3 500 kids a part of our elementary and below ages and kids club and the reason the reason this is so impactful and so incredible and the reason i would put our kids club up against anything is because to pull that off this is a real number it takes 750 adults to pull that off across locations yeah next weekend well july 22nd we will head off with about 1300 farty middle schoolers to our middle school camp and we'll have about 400 adults who will give a week of vacation and time to go and make sure those middle schoolers know who the god of generations is the same god that invested in them they want to make sure we hand it off to them" [00:07:10] (107 seconds)
"We actually just got back from camp last week, and we took nearly a thousand high school students, and I want to talk about this because to my knowledge, this is one of the largest high school camps in America, maybe the world, and this is just from the high schoolers at our church. I mean, it's amazing what God's doing, but the reason that was possible was 222 adults, John Houstons, who said, I'll go invest in high school students. We call them C -group leaders. We call them rec leaders who came and stood beside this generation to make sure the faith didn't stop with them, but was passed on to the generation behind them. Now, am I saying we should do this because they deserve it?" [00:09:07] (43 seconds)
"This right here, if it was not connected to a source, would anything come out? No. Now, if it was connected to a source, what would happen? Water would come out, okay? As we see. Now, sorry, I can't control this thing. Now, this right here would represent anyone, not just high school or anyone, okay? It is an empty container, and this is the gospel." [00:13:25] (25 seconds)
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