Sunday, June 19th – Raising The Next Generation

God is always raising up new generations but how are we participating in that process? The challenges that younger generation face has been raised even higher and there must be a desire to serve the call they must rise to. They face a culture that has now become clearly post-Christian, post-modern, and pluralistic.

We may join many who bemoan the loss of traditional morality but those behind us don’t need our regrets they need our faith; the dynamic of a living faith that joins the reality of change. They need us to become less interested in the good old days and more faithful to join them in the days they must make their way.

Imagine an evening in ancient Israel. The day’s work is done, the meal is finished, and the family is gathered around a small fire that pushes away the night chill and casts a soft glow on their faces. It’s story time.

Father and grandfather take turns relating to the children the “praises of the Lord”. They tell of Abraham’s journey, they speak of Isaac. Their voices come alive when they tell about old Jacob. They remember Moses and Joshua and Elijah and the great King David. They recount the histo- ry of their own family. And all the time they focus their attention on the mighty works of God on behalf of His people.

That’s the way Jewish men fulfilled their responsibility to tell the next generation about the Lord. They had been told by their parents, who had been told by their parents.

Our children need to know about God. They need to learn from us about His love, His faithful- ness, and His grace. They need to hear from us about the times He stepped into our lives to protect and provide. So gather up your sons and daughters and grandchildren. Relate to them how God has worked in your life. Fulfill your responsibility, and tell the children.

These are not the cries solely of parents but of all who can see what matters most, all who recognize that the most important responsibility in life is being faithful to the future. Let us therefore raise a generation of lives and leaders who will be blessed to rise up and reach their own generation.

Happy fathers’ day to our able men.