Passing on Faith: Lessons from Judges and Dystopia
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we explored the concept of the dystopian hero genre and how it parallels the biblical book of Judges. In popular fiction, dystopian settings are grim and filled with despair, but a hero often rises to bring hope. Similarly, the book of Judges presents a real-life dystopian scenario where Israel repeatedly falls into sin and idolatry, leading to moral decline and societal chaos. The key difference is that Judges is not fiction, and its grim reality serves as a cautionary tale for us today.
We examined Judges 2, where a generation arose that did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel. This lack of knowledge led to a downward spiral of moral decay, idolatry, and divine discipline. The Israelites abandoned God and served the Baals and Ashtaroth, provoking God's anger and resulting in their oppression by surrounding enemies. This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance repeated throughout the book of Judges, highlighting the consequences of failing to pass on the knowledge of God to the next generation.
We also looked at Deuteronomy 6, where God provides a solution to this problem. He instructs us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and might, and to diligently teach His commandments to our children. This involves integrating God's Word into every aspect of daily life, ensuring that it is ever before us and our families. While we cannot force our children to follow Jesus, we can create an environment where they are continually exposed to the truth of God's Word and the gospel.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of biblical community in raising the next generation. Parents are the primary disciplers, but the entire church community plays a crucial role. We are all responsible for passing on our faith, and this includes serving in ministries that support children and youth. Even if our children stray from the faith, we must continue to pray for them and trust in God's grace.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Dystopian Reality of Judges: The book of Judges presents a real-life dystopian scenario where Israel's repeated failure to know and follow God leads to moral decay and societal chaos. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today, reminding us of the importance of passing on the knowledge of God to the next generation. [24:58]
2. The Consequences of Forgetting God: When a generation does not know the Lord, it leads to a downward spiral of sin, idolatry, and divine discipline. The Israelites' abandonment of God resulted in their oppression by surrounding enemies, highlighting the severe consequences of failing to uphold God's commandments. [30:26]
3. The Solution in Deuteronomy 6: God provides a solution to prevent the moral decline seen in Judges. We are instructed to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, and to diligently teach His commandments to our children. This involves integrating God's Word into every aspect of daily life, ensuring it is ever before us and our families. [39:58]
4. The Role of Biblical Community: While parents are the primary disciplers of their children, the entire church community plays a crucial role in raising the next generation. We are all responsible for passing on our faith, and this includes serving in ministries that support children and youth. [51:50]
5. Perseverance in Prayer and Teaching: Even if our children stray from the faith, we must continue to pray for them and trust in God's grace. The passage in Proverbs about training up a child is a general principle, not a hard and fast rule. Therefore, we should not give up but keep influencing and having gospel conversations with our children. [53:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:58] - Introduction to Dystopian Hero Genre
[26:30] - The Dystopian Reality of Judges
[27:49] - The Problem: A Generation That Did Not Know the Lord
[29:08] - The Consequences: Moral Decline and Idolatry
[30:26] - The Symptoms of Forgetting God
[31:47] - The Downward Spiral in Judges
[33:06] - The Provocation of God's Anger
[34:36] - The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance
[36:02] - God's Warning in Deuteronomy
[37:15] - The Collapse of Biblical Community
[38:39] - Personal Story: Hereditary Angioedema
[39:58] - The Solution in Deuteronomy 6
[41:11] - The Role of Parents in Discipleship
[42:34] - The Importance of Teaching God's Word at Home
[43:56] - The Need for Targeted Intentionality
[45:23] - Observations on Youth Staying in Church
[46:49] - Practical Steps for Raising Christ Followers
[48:14] - Example: Learning to Teach Soccer
[49:23] - The Importance of Learning God's Word
[50:42] - Keeping God's Word Ever Before You
[51:50] - The Role of the Church Community
[53:16] - Perseverance in Prayer and Teaching
[54:35] - Closing Prayer and Call to Response
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Judges 2:10-15
2. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
3. Psalm 145:4
### Observation Questions
1. What was the primary problem identified in Judges 2:10 regarding the new generation of Israelites? ([27:49])
2. According to Judges 2:11-13, what actions did the Israelites take that provoked the Lord's anger? ([30:26])
3. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what specific instructions does God give to ensure His commandments are passed on to the next generation? ([39:58])
4. How does Psalm 145:4 emphasize the importance of passing on the knowledge of God’s works to future generations?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the generation in Judges 2:10 failed to know the Lord and His works? What might have contributed to this breakdown in communication? ([27:49])
2. How does the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance in Judges reflect the consequences of forgetting God? ([34:36])
3. What does Deuteronomy 6:4-9 suggest about the role of parents and the community in teaching children about God? How does this compare to modern practices? ([42:34])
4. Psalm 145:4 speaks of one generation commending God's works to another. How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the importance of biblical community in raising the next generation? ([51:50])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own family or community. Are there ways in which you have seen a breakdown in passing on the knowledge of God? How can you address this issue? ([27:49])
2. The Israelites in Judges turned to idolatry and provoked God's anger. Are there modern "idols" or distractions that might be leading you or your community away from God? How can you combat these influences? ([30:26])
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 emphasizes integrating God's Word into daily life. What are some practical ways you can incorporate Scripture into your daily routines and conversations with your family? ([39:58])
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of parents being the primary disciplers of their children. How can you take a more active role in teaching your children or younger family members about God? ([42:34])
5. The pastor shared a personal story about learning to coach soccer to teach his children. Is there an area of your life where you feel unprepared to teach others about God? What steps can you take to become more equipped? ([49:23])
6. The sermon highlighted the role of the church community in supporting the next generation. How can you get involved in ministries that support children and youth in your church? ([51:50])
7. Even if children stray from the faith, the sermon encourages perseverance in prayer and teaching. How can you remain hopeful and persistent in praying for and influencing those who have stepped away from their faith? ([53:16])
Devotional
Day 1: The Dystopian Reality of Judges
The book of Judges presents a real-life dystopian scenario where Israel's repeated failure to know and follow God leads to moral decay and societal chaos. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today, reminding us of the importance of passing on the knowledge of God to the next generation. In Judges 2, we see a generation that did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel. This lack of knowledge led to a downward spiral of moral decay, idolatry, and divine discipline. The Israelites abandoned God and served the Baals and Ashtaroth, provoking God's anger and resulting in their oppression by surrounding enemies. This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance repeated throughout the book of Judges, highlighting the consequences of failing to pass on the knowledge of God to the next generation.
As we reflect on this, we must recognize the importance of teaching our children and the next generation about God and His works. We must ensure that the knowledge of God is not lost but is passed on diligently. This involves integrating God's Word into every aspect of daily life, ensuring that it is ever before us and our families. By doing so, we can prevent the moral decline and societal chaos that comes from forgetting God.
Judges 2:10-12 (ESV): "And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger."
Reflection: Think about the ways you can pass on the knowledge of God to the next generation. What practical steps can you take today to ensure that your children or those you influence know the Lord and His works? [24:58]
Day 2: The Consequences of Forgetting God
When a generation does not know the Lord, it leads to a downward spiral of sin, idolatry, and divine discipline. The Israelites' abandonment of God resulted in their oppression by surrounding enemies, highlighting the severe consequences of failing to uphold God's commandments. This pattern is evident throughout the book of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly fall into sin, face oppression, cry out to God, and are delivered by a judge, only to fall back into sin again. This cycle serves as a stark reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and His commandments.
The consequences of forgetting God are severe and far-reaching. When we fail to uphold God's commandments and pass on the knowledge of God to the next generation, we open the door to moral decay, idolatry, and societal chaos. It is crucial to recognize the importance of teaching our children and those we influence about God and His commandments. By doing so, we can prevent the downward spiral of sin and its devastating consequences.
Judges 2:14-15 (ESV): "So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you may have forgotten God or neglected His commandments. What steps can you take today to realign your life with God's will and prevent the consequences of forgetting Him? [30:26]
Day 3: The Solution in Deuteronomy 6
God provides a solution to prevent the moral decline seen in Judges. We are instructed to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, and to diligently teach His commandments to our children. This involves integrating God's Word into every aspect of daily life, ensuring it is ever before us and our families. Deuteronomy 6 emphasizes the importance of loving God wholeheartedly and teaching His commandments diligently to our children. By doing so, we can create an environment where the knowledge of God is continually passed on to the next generation.
Loving God with all our heart, soul, and might means making Him the center of our lives and allowing His Word to guide our actions and decisions. Teaching His commandments diligently to our children involves more than just formal instruction; it means integrating God's Word into every aspect of daily life. This includes talking about God's commandments when we sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, and get up. By doing so, we can ensure that the knowledge of God is ever before us and our families, preventing the moral decline seen in Judges.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 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 integrate God's Word into your daily life and the lives of your family members? What practical steps can you take today to ensure that the knowledge of God is ever before you and your family? [39:58]
Day 4: The Role of Biblical Community
While parents are the primary disciplers of their children, the entire church community plays a crucial role in raising the next generation. We are all responsible for passing on our faith, and this includes serving in ministries that support children and youth. The biblical community is essential in providing support, encouragement, and accountability for parents and children alike. By working together as a community, we can create an environment where the knowledge of God is continually passed on to the next generation.
The role of the biblical community is to come alongside parents and support them in their efforts to disciple their children. This includes serving in children's and youth ministries, providing mentorship, and creating opportunities for children and youth to grow in their faith. By working together as a community, we can ensure that the knowledge of God is passed on to the next generation and that our children are raised in an environment that encourages spiritual growth and development.
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: How can you contribute to the biblical community and support the next generation in their faith journey? What specific steps can you take today to serve in ministries that support children and youth? [51:50]
Day 5: Perseverance in Prayer and Teaching
Even if our children stray from the faith, we must continue to pray for them and trust in God's grace. The passage in Proverbs about training up a child is a general principle, not a hard and fast rule. Therefore, we should not give up but keep influencing and having gospel conversations with our children. Perseverance in prayer and teaching is essential in raising the next generation. We must trust in God's grace and continue to pray for our children, even if they stray from the faith.
Perseverance in prayer means continually lifting our children up to God and trusting Him to work in their lives. It also means being persistent in teaching them about God and His Word, even when it seems like they are not listening or responding. By persevering in prayer and teaching, we can trust that God will work in their hearts and bring them back to Him in His timing.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: Think of a child or young person in your life who may have strayed from the faith. How can you persevere in prayer and teaching for them today? What specific steps can you take to continue influencing them and having gospel conversations with them? [53:16]
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When a generation does not know the Lord, there are symptoms to that problem. He gives us a rundown of what happened in Israel throughout the time of the judges. It's the same thing that happens anytime a generation arises who does not know the Lord. It's a downward spiral of moral decline." [30:26] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Biblical community will collapse if we fail to pass on to the next generation in the great works that He's done. Biblical community will collapse. God will not fail. His church will not fail. Jesus said the gates of hell itself will not prevail against it. That much is assured." [38:39] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We want to pass on our faith to our children, right? Amen? We want to pass on our faith to our children, right? There you go, church. All right. But we cannot force our kids to be followers of Jesus. It's a very personal thing. It has to be a personal thing." [41:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You expose them to the gospel, parents, grandparents. Teach them about Jesus and the salvation we can have in Him. Have gospel conversations. You can teach them about the gospel. You can teach them about the gospel. You can teach them about the gospel. You can teach them about the gospel. As you apply God's Word to the everyday realities of life." [42:34] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You continue to vibrantly love Him as you grow in Christ in His Word and in prayer and in worship and in actively participating at church and serving. Your kids are watching. Do they see that you love Jesus?" [46:49] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Overall, the book of Judges is this commentary on man's sinful inclination to reject God and His ways. Among God's people, the book of Judges tells us about these evil deeds, open idolatry, apostasy, even the key heroes, these epic heroes that arise in Judges." [24:58] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Somehow that just didn't happen in this generation in the early part of Judges. One generation knew, the Lord's works. They benefited from the Lord's works. They were recipients of his, his grace and his blessing and his provision, but they didn't declare his mighty acts to the next generation. That's the problem." [29:08] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When there's no knowledge of God, morality plummets. When a generation doesn't know the Lord, this passage tells us five things that happen specifically, and we'll put, we'll walk through those. The first is in verse 11. It says, people will do evil in the sight of the Lord. Sin increases." [31:47] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are the primary discipler of your kids. You are discipling them one way or another. You are. They're learning from you, whether that's the ways of the Lord or not. And so, as you're learning God's Word, you've got to teach them God's Word." [48:14] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are all responsible to pass on our faith to the next generation because we are in community together. And that's why we're not shy this morning in telling you, church, that we need some of you to participate in doing this very thing by serving in preschool ministry, children's ministry, student ministry, to help pass on the faith to the next generation." [51:50] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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