Prioritizing God: Guiding the Next Generation
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon focused on the importance of prioritizing God and His teachings in our lives, especially in the context of raising the next generation. We began by discussing the challenges our church faces with resources and how, like in the days of Joash, we must contribute to the upkeep of God's house with a cheerful heart. The sermon then transitioned into a new series titled "Kids These Days," where we explored the cultural shifts and their impact on our youth.
Reflecting on personal experiences, we examined how cultural trends, like the obsession with new technology, can distract us from our spiritual responsibilities. The sermon emphasized that while culture changes, God remains the same across generations. We must not let culture dictate our values but instead, let the gospel transform our culture.
We discussed three main points: deferring too much to culture, saving our children too soon from the world, and being weak models of faith. The sermon highlighted the importance of being strong, Christ-centered models for our children, ensuring that God is the center of our lives and not just an option. We were reminded that our children will not become who we want them to be; they will become who we are. Therefore, it is crucial to live a life that reflects Christ's teachings.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging us to make God a priority in our lives and to be the light and salt of the world. We were encouraged to reflect on our lives, make necessary changes, and ensure that our faith is not just a temporary phase but a lasting legacy for our children.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prioritize God's House: Just as Joash collected money to repair the temple, we must contribute to the upkeep of God's house with a cheerful heart. Our giving should reflect our gratitude and commitment to God, not just be an obligation. [28:24]
2. Cultural Influence vs. Gospel Influence: We often let culture dictate our values and priorities, but we should let the gospel transform our culture. The gospel remains constant, and we must align our lives with its teachings rather than conforming to worldly trends. [01:01:31]
3. Be Strong Models of Faith: Our children will emulate our actions more than our words. Therefore, we must be strong, Christ-centered models of faith. This means making God the center of our lives and not just an option. [01:27:21]
4. Guard Against Early Exposure: We often expose our children to the world too soon, giving them access to technology and media without proper guidance. This can lead to negative influences. We must be vigilant and ensure that their environment is conducive to spiritual growth. [01:15:23]
5. Reflect and Transform: We need to reflect on our lives and make necessary changes to ensure that we are living according to God's will. This involves prioritizing God in every aspect of our lives and being intentional about our spiritual growth and that of our children. [01:37:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:24] - Joash and the Temple
[30:03] - Gratitude in Worship
[47:01] - Introduction to "Kids These Days"
[48:54] - Cultural Trends and Youth
[50:58] - The Impact of Technology
[52:27] - Reflecting on Past Trends
[54:12] - Engaging the Congregation
[55:58] - Stepping on Toes
[57:48] - Ephesians and Colossians
[59:06] - Importance of Youth Ministry
[01:01:31] - Cultural Influence vs. Gospel Influence
[01:03:46] - The Generational Gap
[01:06:07] - Personal Testimony
[01:07:46] - Cultural Impact on Values
[01:08:30] - The Sneakerhead Analogy
[01:09:01] - Financial Priorities
[01:09:53] - Blessings and Distractions
[01:11:24] - The God of Generations
[01:12:32] - Generational Consistency
[01:13:25] - Diluting the Gospel
[01:15:23] - Early Exposure to the World
[01:16:38] - The Role of Technology
[01:17:36] - Parental Vigilance
[01:18:06] - Midnight Mischief
[01:18:47] - The Power of Prayer
[01:19:33] - Family Fellowship
[01:20:35] - Personal Testimony
[01:21:35] - Teaching Prayer to Children
[01:22:21] - The Importance of Routine
[01:23:16] - Parental Authority
[01:24:15] - The Role of Discipline
[01:24:51] - Colossians 3:21
[01:25:58] - Weak Models of Faith
[01:27:21] - Controlling the Environment
[01:28:25] - Surrounding Influences
[01:29:27] - Centering Life Around God
[01:30:47] - Making God a Priority
[01:32:20] - Honoring Parents by Honoring God
[01:34:46] - The Definition of a Model
[01:37:15] - Reflect and Transform
[01:39:19] - Thrifty Faith
[01:41:26] - Personal Testimony
[01:43:36] - Closing Prayer
[01:45:36] - Altar Call
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Kings 12:4-5: "Joash said to the priests, 'Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the Lord—the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, then use it to repair whatever damage is found in the temple.'"
2. Ephesians 4:1-4: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."
3. Colossians 3:21: "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Joash give to the priests regarding the money collected for the temple in 2 Kings 12:4-5?
2. According to Ephesians 4:1-4, what qualities should believers exhibit in their walk with the Lord?
3. What warning does Colossians 3:21 give to fathers (or parents) about their behavior towards their children?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Joash in 2 Kings 12:4-5 relate to the importance of prioritizing God's house and contributing with a cheerful heart?
2. In Ephesians 4:1-4, Paul emphasizes unity and peace within the body of Christ. How can these qualities help in raising the next generation in a Christ-centered way?
3. Colossians 3:21 warns against provoking children to discouragement. How might this apply to the way we model faith and values to our children?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current contributions to the church. Are you giving with a cheerful heart like Joash instructed, or do you see it as an obligation? How can you change your perspective to reflect gratitude and commitment to God?
2. Think about the cultural influences in your life. Are there areas where you have allowed culture to dictate your values instead of the gospel? What steps can you take to let the gospel transform your culture?
3. Consider the way you model faith to your children or younger people around you. Are you a strong, Christ-centered model, or do you find yourself being a weak model of faith? What changes can you make to ensure that God is the center of your life?
4. Have you ever exposed your children to the world too soon, perhaps through technology or media? What measures can you take to create a more spiritually conducive environment for them?
5. Reflect on your daily life and priorities. Are there specific distractions that prevent you from focusing on God? How can you minimize these distractions to ensure that your faith is a lasting legacy for your children?
6. How do you handle discipline and authority in your household? Are you provoking your children to discouragement, or are you guiding them with love and patience? What changes can you make to improve this?
7. Think about the last time you made a significant change in your life to align more closely with God's will. What prompted that change, and how did it impact your spiritual growth and that of your family? How can you continue to reflect and transform your life according to God's teachings?
Devotional
Day 1: Cheerful Giving for God's House
Description: Just as Joash collected money to repair the temple, we must contribute to the upkeep of God's house with a cheerful heart. Our giving should reflect our gratitude and commitment to God, not just be an obligation. When we prioritize God's house, we demonstrate our dedication to His work and our trust in His provision. This act of cheerful giving is not just about financial contributions but also about offering our time, talents, and resources to support the church community.
In today's world, it can be easy to view giving as a burden or a mere duty. However, when we give with a joyful heart, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the blessings that come from generosity. Reflect on how you can contribute to the upkeep of God's house, not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to see His kingdom flourish. [28:24]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on giving to make it a joyful act of worship rather than a mere obligation?
Day 2: Gospel Over Culture
Description: We often let culture dictate our values and priorities, but we should let the gospel transform our culture. The gospel remains constant, and we must align our lives with its teachings rather than conforming to worldly trends. In a rapidly changing world, it's easy to get swept up in the latest cultural shifts and lose sight of the timeless truths of the gospel.
By prioritizing the gospel, we ensure that our values and actions are rooted in God's unchanging word. This means being intentional about how we engage with culture, discerning what aligns with God's teachings and what does not. Reflect on how you can let the gospel influence your daily decisions and interactions, rather than being swayed by the ever-changing cultural landscape. [01:01:31]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed culture to influence your values? How can you let the gospel transform those areas instead?
Day 3: Modeling Christ-Centered Faith
Description: Our children will emulate our actions more than our words. Therefore, we must be strong, Christ-centered models of faith. This means making God the center of our lives and not just an option. Children learn by observing the behaviors and attitudes of the adults around them. If they see us prioritizing our relationship with God, they are more likely to do the same.
Being a strong model of faith involves living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives, demonstrating love, patience, forgiveness, and integrity. It also means being transparent about our own spiritual journey, including our struggles and how we rely on God for strength. Reflect on how you can be a better model of faith for the younger generation in your life. [01:27:21]
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: What specific actions can you take to ensure that you are a strong, Christ-centered model of faith for your children or those you mentor?
Day 4: Guarding Against Early Exposure
Description: We often expose our children to the world too soon, giving them access to technology and media without proper guidance. This can lead to negative influences. We must be vigilant and ensure that their environment is conducive to spiritual growth. In today's digital age, children are bombarded with information and influences from a very young age.
As guardians of their spiritual well-being, it is our responsibility to monitor and guide their exposure to technology and media. This involves setting boundaries, having open conversations about the content they consume, and providing them with positive, faith-based alternatives. Reflect on how you can create a nurturing environment that supports your child's spiritual development. [01:15:23]
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: What steps can you take to better monitor and guide your child's exposure to technology and media, ensuring it aligns with your faith values?
Day 5: Reflect and Transform
Description: We need to reflect on our lives and make necessary changes to ensure that we are living according to God's will. This involves prioritizing God in every aspect of our lives and being intentional about our spiritual growth and that of our children. Self-reflection is a crucial part of spiritual growth. It allows us to identify areas where we may be falling short and make the necessary adjustments to align our lives with God's will.
This process of reflection and transformation is ongoing and requires a commitment to seeking God's guidance and being open to change. Reflect on your current spiritual practices and consider what changes you can make to deepen your relationship with God and set a positive example for those around you. [01:37:15]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What specific areas of your life need reflection and transformation to better align with God's will? How can you make these changes starting today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So I'm gonna encourage you again don't give God what's left give him everything that you have within your heart the word says in corintians that he loves a cheerful giver you give how you feel in your heart." [28:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We know that we don't come for the coolness of the church or the sound of it but we come with the gratitude that we have within our heart because one day father you stretched out your hand and you took us out where we were from y nos cambiaste señor." [30:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Family, I'm not a perfect person. I'm an imperfect person, but I'm an imperfect person surrounding my life around God. He is the center of my family. He is the center of my life. He is the center of everything that I do, and I challenge you. I encourage you. Do the same, not just for you, but your family, your children." [01:32:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We let culture tell us that, oh, you have to be their friend. You have to be a friend so that they can get to know you, so that they can share with you, so that they can tell you what's going on, and you can have a relationship, and therefore you can advise them, and you can tell them, hey, this is good, that's not good, this and that. And now they see you as a friend. What kind of authority are you in their lives if you're a friend?" [01:23:16] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We let culture, we let culture change the way we raise our generations. We say it's different generations, and you say, I ask you, really, what's the difference in the generations? What's the difference? You say, well, the gap. Okay, what is the gap? Ask yourself, family, what happened in the gap? What happened in the gap is It's the value that we put into things in the order that we have in our life." [01:03:46] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We have let culture affect us so much that we've become weak models. You might be saying, well, what do you mean? I didn't give them the scripture, but in Titus 2, verse 7 says, show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works. And in your teaching, show integrity and dignity." [01:25:58] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We give in so much what the world is giving us and offering that we pitch tents for hours to get a phone. But then, you know, it's Sunday. There isn't any AC or there's AC at home. I'll watch it at home. But the Rangers won the World Series. I got to go give me one of them shirts. I don't care if it's midnight. I don't care if I got work tomorrow. I don't care how long that line is. I don't care if I got work tomorrow. I don't care I'm getting me one today, and you go stand in line." [01:01:31] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We have teenagers that are broken, that are depressed, that are hurt, full of hate, with anxiety, they cut themselves, they look for love in the wrong places, addicted to alcohol, to drugs, pornography, being an adult too young, we have to save them too soon. We give them the world because we love them, because we want the best for them, because they're your flesh and blood, I understand that." [01:15:23] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We let God become an option. You've let serving and following the Lord become an option. It's no longer the center of your life. It's no longer the full purpose that we have to follow, the thing that we have to chase. It has become an option because culture has said, oh, it's optional to go to church. It's optional to follow. To follow God is optional to become a servant of the Lord." [01:30:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Your children do not become who you want them to become. They become you. You have two options. Continue to be the person that you are and let them become and follow your footsteps or a model that's spirit-filled, spirit-led, Christ-centered, and let them follow into that. They don't become who you want them to become, family. They become you." [01:39:19] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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