The Dash – All In for the Next Gen
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. – C.T. Studd
“It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you. It’s what you leave behind you when you go.” – Randy Travis
Psalm 112:1-4, 6b (NLT)
How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever… 4b They are generous, compassionate, and righteous…6b Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
Culture says success is raising well ROUNDED, well EDUCATED, HAPPY kids.
Matthew 16:26 (NIV)
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
We are called to unleash CHRIST-CENTERED, BIBLICALLY-ANCHORED, WORLD CHANGERS.
What we expose them TO determines who they BECOME.
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
3 things to expose the Next Gen to:
- Expose them to the JOY of KNOWING God PERSONALLY.
John 17
This is eternal life—that they may know my Father. – Jesus
RULES without RELATIONSHIP leads to REBELLION!
I Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Faith is CAUGHT more than TAUGHT.
- Expose them to the PRESENCE and POWER of God in His CHURCH.
(Have FAMILY WORSHIP NIGHT slide ready)
- Expose them to the EXCITEMENT of being USED by God.
Joshua 24:14b-15 (NLT)
“Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”