Please Pass the Faith

Timeline

Let’s talk about Gen Z and Gen A for just a minute. Just so we are on the same page, Generation Z includes those who are born between 1996 and 2010, while Gen A includes those born in 2011 and after.

Breaking down the Generations

The Greatest Generation (GI Generation): Born 1901–1927

This generation lived through the Great Depression and then went off to fight in World War II. Notably, they popularized jazz and swing music, but don't be fooled by the wild provocations of the cultural preferences of the times. Due to the current events of this generation, the challenge of raising a family put a premium on traits like hard work and grit.

The Silent Generation: Born 1928–1945

The silent generation famously got their name for being so conformist that they were silent through the MacCarthy era when the fear of Communism swept the country.

During this era, kids were expected to earn their way through life using a strong work ethic.

Baby Boom Generation: Born 1946–1964

Gen Z may think of Baby Boomers as their out-of-touch grandparents (as in "OK, Boomer"), but this generation actually had a wild youth we often don't talk about. Boomers are named for the population "boom" that occurred after WWII, and many young people of this generation defied their parents, protested the Vietnam War, and created the "Summer of Love."

Boomer parents notably redefined parenting by being the first generation to look at their kids' perspective of growing up, and they started the concept of having family meetings.

Generation X: Born 1965–1980

So often dismissed as the slacker generation, Generation X lived through the AIDS epidemic, MTV culture, and a shifting landscape that would bring us much of the current progressive movement.

Generation X parents were the first to use helicopter parenting styles. Unlike their Boomer parents, who famously let their kids stay outside until the streetlights came on, Gen X'ers have a tendency to be far more involved with their children's social and educational development.

Millennial Generation or Generation Y: Born 1981–1996

Millennials lived through 9/11, remember when Amazon only sold books, and are also the first generation to know a childhood both with and without the internet, which now plays a significant role in their personal lives.

When it comes to parenting, millennials are more likely than prior generations to encourage their children to “live as their authentic selves”, and are leading the movement in much of the gender issues we see so much of

Generation Z or iGen: Born 1997–2010

Generation Z kids are the first to be born into a world where they know nothing else besides being constantly connected to one another, albeit through phones, screens, and tablets.

Generation Alpha: Born Between 2010-2024

Kids born between 2010 and 2024 are part of Generation Alpha.4 Generation Alpha is the first generation of kids who will never know a time when social media didn't exist, and they are far more tech-savvy than any generation previously, which is a powerful tool that can change humanity in myriad positive ways.

GENERATION Z SNAPSHOT

Who are Gen Z? Let’s take a look.

· Largest current generation.

· Digital natives.

· Never felt safe at school.

· Growing up faster than previous generations.

· Can speak entirely in emojis.

Video

If you are still on the fence about what I am saying, check out this video from Carll at Sunday Cool called, “How to Speak Gen Z.”

Ministry to Generation Z is challenging because of demanding school expectations, sports and extra-curricular schedules, anxiety and depression among adolescents being at an all-time high, broken families, and identity crises to name several things.

SLIDE: GENERATION Z FAITH STORIES

Let’s look at the faith profile of Gen Z.

· 59% self-identify as “some sort of Christian.”

· 18% self-identify as “no faith” or “atheist.”

· 35% believe church is irrelevant and hypocritical.

I believe that ministry to the next generation is critical. We are at a very crucial moment in history, and here’s a warning from Judges 2:10.

SLIDE: WARNING FROM JUDGES

“That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10 HCSB).

SLIDE: ONE GENERATION AWAY

It has been said many times before, and I believe it now more than ever, that we are always only one generation away from losing the Christian faith.

Hear me clearly: I am not here to bash the beloved people of God of Generation Z. I am not here to blame them or their parents or hurt anyone. My hope is to give a statistical profile of the reality of what is going on in case you were unaware.

[Leader Note: Share a story of what your family Christmas meals looked like as a kid.]

Describe Christmas dinner and Grandma and Grandpa’s house: Adult table with all the good food and deeper, more meaningful conversations, etc...

Can I ask you something? Do we do similar things with our children and youth in faith development and in the church?

Are we inadvertently and accidentally slowing the faith development of children and teens by not inviting them to the adult tables of our faith conversations, development, and discipleship?

Many churches leave the kids ministry and youth ministry to the kids and youth ministries. We delegate the passing on of the faith to the paid staff or the professionals. This is unfortunate. Share about how parents have wanted me to be the primary solver of the problem their child is dealing with, even in my minimal contact with the child each week

SLIDE: PASSING ON THE FAITH…

Passing on the faith to the next generation is the responsibility of the entire church.

Church, I have a challenge for you: please pass the faith. Just like I longed for some of that delicious food that was out of reach on the other table, there are some incredibly rich spiritual foods on our table here today.

Church, pass the faith.

I believe that God is at work now and is still relevant today just like He was when the Scriptures were written thousands of years ago. I believe God still sets people free. I believe that there is hope for a hopeless and confused world. I believe in the promises of God and the truth that is revealed in the Bible.

If I believe and follow Jesus, I am compelled to share the good news with others. I cannot hold it in; I must tell others.

Let’s talk some more about how that faith is passed on to others.

Passing the Faith

What does it mean for us to pass the faith, and how do we do it?

A whole bunch of followers of Jesus unnecessarily freak out when we talk about sharing our faith, or evangelism.

Before you leave mentally or physically, let’s look at Psalm 145 and Deuteronomy 6

SLIDE: PSALM 145:4-7

Psalm 145:4–7 (CSB)

4 One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.

5 I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty and your wondrous works.

6 They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare your greatness.

7 They will give a testimony of your great goodness and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Deuteronomy 6:1–9 CSB

1 “This is the command—the statutes and ordinances—the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess. 2 Do this so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. 3 Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

SLIDE: PASSING ON THE FAITH MEANS WE TALK…

Passing on the faith means we talk about what God has done in our lives with those who are younger than us. In other words: commend, declare, and sing the greatness of God.

If you have experienced the goodness of God, it is like this goodness is on your table right in front of you. It is not difficult for you to know that it is there, because you can smell it, and you can taste it. Your job and my job is to pass it along.

It’s good. Can you smell it?

Will you sit down with me, and let me tell you about God’s goodness?

Be like Paul describes in his letter to the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 CSB

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? 17 For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.

This is how the passing on of the faith happens as a concept, but what does a thriving faith community look like here at our church?

I’m glad you asked. Let’s talk about that, as well.

A Glimpse of a Thriving Faith Community

Do you remember the generational timeline I showed earlier? We have these generations represented at our church.

Our greatest strength in reaching the next generation as a church lies in the diversity of ages found in our church. This fact is our greatest asset. We may get caught up in differences of worship styles and preferences but let me say this clearly: traditional worship and contemporary worship both present an incredible opportunity to reach the next generation. It’s not about worship styles and preferences at all.

We have the faith right here on the table. Take it and pass the faith on to others. The range of ages and experiences is just what our community needs. We welcome all ages and stages.

As we continue to grow and live into the potential of being a multigenerational church who cares deeply about sharing the faith with the next generation, what will it look like?

What does it look like to have more babies, kids, and youth?

Are we comfortable having things broken?

Are we good with noise or movement?

Having kids and youth in our church means we must be comfortable with a little bit of chaos. We must extend grace with the crying and mercy when something is broken or not used the way we intended. When we get upset, if we are honest, it is more about us and our issues than the innocent kid or the teen who is having a little fun.

Are we prepared as a church to do what it takes to continue passing on the faith to the next generation?

Let me give you some practical steps of exactly what it would look like to pass the faith here and now.

How to Pass the Faith

[Leader Note: If your church has a physical way for people to respond, like a Prayer Card or a Serve Card, invited folks to fill out those cards as you give these practical steps.]

I am going to give you an opportunity to respond, and I want you to prayerfully take it seriously right now.

One of the simplest and most practical ways for you to get involved in passing on the faith to the next generation is to pray for our kids and youth. Each of you can do that.

The next practical way that you can pass on the faith is to serve. Here’s the great thing about serving: there are a variety of ways to serve, from organizing to greeting, all the way to teaching and mentoring and every level in between. I would love to see half of the adults in this church involved in serving on a regular basis in either our nursery, kids, or youth ministry.

I know what some of you may be thinking in regard to serving. You either don’t have the time, don’t have the physical capacity, or don’t like kids. I hear you. One of the simplest ways that you can support our children and youth ministries is to tithe and give an offering. Do you think about our kids when you write your offering check or give online? I would encourage you to do that the next time you give. When you give, you support the ministries of our church, which includes our children and youth ministries.

Passing on the faith means that we are aware of the gaps that exist in our current ministries. Do you want to know some gaps that currently exist in our church ministry?

[Leader Note: If you are aware of current gaps in your ministry, talk about them here.]

I believe God has some good news for us today, church, and here it is: God has equipped leaders here in this church for the purpose of passing the faith. Who will respond to the call? I believe there are some gathered here today or who may listen to this message later whom God is calling to address the gaps I mentioned. I don’t know who those people are, but God does.

SLIDE: GOD HAS EQUIPPED US…

God has equipped us as a church to pass the faith to others. Each of us have a role to play. What is your role?

Prayerfully consider what God would want you to do and how Jesus would want you to follow. You have been hardwired by God for a reason. You have been gifted and equipped by the Holy Spirit for ministry. And Jesus is urging you to follow Him where He would lead you.

SLIDE: TITLE

Whatever you do, please pass the faith.

Remember: the goodness of God is right in front of you. Don’t hoard it or keep it to yourself. Invite a kid or a youth to experience the goodness of God as you declare God’s goodness to him or her. Pray for them by name. Develop a relationship with their parent and find out how you can help them.

Whatever you do, please pass the faith.