Teach the Children Our Responsibility

Introduction:

This is indeed back to school season. And this season in particular is filled with all type emotions. For some students they are excited for the new school year, they can’t wait to see and hang out with their friends again and show off all of the new school stuff that they got over the summer. For some other students, they are sad because school curfews goes back into effect, and the thought about the incoming homework and assignments can already feel overwhelming. For teachers, the summer break is now officially over, and lesson plans and forecasts are now the order of the day again. Mostly, for parents this is an exciting time, the children are finally out of the house and back to school. No one is home to burn your ac or open and close your fridge door. And for the rest of us, we now prepare to get into the right frame of mind to now re-fix our schedules to get ahead of that incoming school traffic, especially for those of us who lives out east.

Back to school season also entails going back to basics. The teachers in most cases starts to review last year work, before moving on to new topics. And parents prepare to give their annual speeches. Whether that is to remind the child about the importance of being on good behavior, and not letting the school have to call me or to remind them that their GPA shouldn’t be dropping.

So for this back to school Sunday, permit as we also go back to basics.

Topic: Teach the Children Our Responsibility

Context: Teaching the next generation about Christ is all of our responsibility.

Whether you are a young adult, going through the middle phases of life or enjoying your retirement years, it is mandated within scripture that we teach the next generation about God, so that they won’t repeat the same mistakes as prior generations and to get them prepared for the times ahead.

Evangelistic Temple is celebrating 90 YEARS of ministry in the Bahamas this year, and hundreds if not thousands of people have directly or indirectly benefited from the ministering of the Word from this local church. We have been blessed with stellar leadership over the years, and we have also been blessed by faithful believers who called this church home. Believers who work tirelessly and give of their time and resources to make sure that the ministries within this Church is running smoothly and that God is continually being glorified.

A day will come Church, if the good Lord doesn’t return soon, where this church will be celebrating 100 years, 120 years and so on, and all of us at that time will be much older when that time comes, and if we want this local Church that we call home to continue to excel and continue to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then it is our responsibility to teach the next generation.

Main Text: Psalm 78:1–8

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Psalm 78

Pay attention, my people, to my instruction.

Listen to the words I speak.

2 I will sing a song that imparts wisdom;

I will make insightful observations about the past.

3 What we have heard and learned—

that which our ancestors have told us—

4 we will not hide from their descendants.

We will tell the next generation

about the LORD’s praiseworthy acts,

about his strength and the amazing things he has done.

5 He established a rule in Jacob;

he set up a law in Israel.

He commanded our ancestors

to make his deeds known to their descendants,

6 so that the next generation, children yet to be born,

might know about them.

They will grow up and tell their descendants about them.

7 Then they will place their confidence in God.

They will not forget the works of God,

and they will obey his commands.

8 Then they will not be like their ancestors,

who were a stubborn and rebellious generation,

a generation that was not committed

and faithful to God.

Who is Asaph and what was he trying to accomplish:

This particular Psalms is said to be written by Asaph. Asaph is a worship leader. This Psalm in particular is a Psalm of praise and wisdom. Asaph in his role as worship leader in this particular chapter, is now calling the nation of Israel together. He called them to sing along with him in worship to God, and to also remind them to prepare and train the next generation. Asaph knows how important it is that the next generation of Israelites, know exactly who their God is, where they came from as a people and where they are going in the future.

Point 1: We are mandated to teach the next generation

Verse 1 -2:

The Psalmist starts off by saying to the people to pay attention and listen to my instructions. He introduces this psalm as teacher would their classroom or a parent speaking to their child. If you grew up with strict parents or had a stern a teacher, then you know exactly what it means when they tell you to pay attention and listen to these instructions. We all know that to mean that something serious is going to be said, and that there was a clear expectation that you are going to follower those instructions to the LETTER - Because like the older generation use to stay say, if you don’t listen then you will feel.

Verse 3-5:

The psalmist then goes and makes it clear in verses 3-5, that the things he has heard and learn from the older generation, he will past down to the next generation to come. His intent was to not hide anything from the next generation to come, but to give them a complete understanding of who God is, how he treats his people, and how his people treated him.

The psalmist continues by saying that that he will tell the next generation about the Lord’s strength and all of the amazing the things the Lord has done for His people. By doing this Asaph was following the instructions given by God to Moses for his forefathers many years ago.

We read in Deuteronomy 6:5-12

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 6

5 You must love the LORD your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.

6 These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. 8 You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. 9 Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.

10 Then when the LORD your God brings you to the land he promised your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you—a land with large, fine cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with choice things you did not accumulate, hewn out cisterns you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—and you eat your fill, 12 be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, that place of slavery.

So we see again, that teaching the next generation wasn’t a suggestion, or something that we do if we have free time. God told us first, that we must love Him, with our whole heart, our whole being and our whole strength. And out of our love, out our obedience to God, then we must follow through and teach our children. Teach the next generation, that they too must love the Lord with their whole heart, their whole mind and their whole strength. Teach them about the love of God while they are home watching TV, teach them about the faithfulness of God whiles, they are doing chores around the house, teach them about the mercies of God whiles dropping them to school, and teach them about it again when you are dropping them to practice. The next generation should see the love of God permeating through us, we should be their biggest examples, we should be their biggest influencers and teachers when it comes to living this Christian faith and being Christ like.

Explain to them to the importance of coming to Church, explain to them why you lift your hands or cry during worship. Explain to them the reason for coming on to the prayer line every morning, and the need for coming to prayer meetings. For us who work in Youth and Children ministries, one of our main focuses is to reinforce the teachings you would have already given them at home.

- Application: We sometimes focus so much of our time, energy and resources to make sure that the next generation coming up gets a good education, that they learn how to play a sport, that they learn or a second language or a new instrument. And all of that is important because we want them to be successful, and productive citizens in this world. But what about their souls? Yes we want them to get the scholarship, we want them to get the major opportunities, we want them to get the paid internships. But what about Christ? Are we putting the same energy into their spiritual lives as well? Are we making sure that the next generation attend Sunday School, Royal Rangers, Girls Ministry, and ReBirth? Is attending these ministries goin to make sure that your child is save and have a spot in heaven? The answer is No. But what it does guarantee, is that your child is being taught the Word of God for their appropriate age group. What it does do, is provide a safe and clean environment for your child to play, learn and bond with other people within their age groups.

Illustration: Personally speaking, majority of my closest friends right now, are people that i met right at this church, in Sunday School and being apart of Royal Rangers.

Having your children be apart of the ministries at this Church, also helps them to learn from other mature Christian believers, that can help reinforce everything that you are teaching at home, and to also hold them accountable for when they do mistakes.

Illustrations: I remember whiles growing, no one used their real name on social media. Everyone back then was lady empress, and myz tew cute or ABM or ABG something. And a few of us being apart of Church, started to send friend request to a few of our Youth leaders at the time at the time we thought were cool. And at first none of them added us back, and they corrected us and hold us accountable until we rectified that situation.

Application: We don’t just serve in these ministries because we have free time on our hand we need something to do. Every single member of this church who serves along in youth and children ministry, loves the next generation. We too want to see them grow up and be everything that God has for them to.

Verse 6-7:

Asaph continues on in verses 6-7, by explaining the importance of teaching the next generation, so that the generation not yet born, will one day know about the God that kept grammy, that generation will one day know about the God, that made a way out of no way for mommy, that same generation will know about the God that healed daddy, that generation not yet born will know about the God that saved uncle and aunty. So if, we start to tell them about God at an early age, as they grow in age, their faith now has the opportunity to grow and blossom.

A day will come, when the next generation faces their own difficulty and trials, they would have already heard and know about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They would have already know by heart that, For God so love the world that he sent His only begotten son, and who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life.

Illustration:

Growing up on the bus and listening to my dad play Christian music all day and the reason behind it.

Growing up in Royal Rangers and learning the code, which i was able to apply to my daily life.

Point 2: Teach them not to repeat the past:

Verse 8:

Asaph in verse 8, gives extra clarity as to why we must be teach the next generation and not hide anything from them . So that they won’t make the same mistakes and end up being rebellious and unfaithful towards God.

The psalmist then continues on within the chapter to show the people of Israel at that time, how rebellious and unfaithful the past generation was towards God, but in spite of their unfaithfulness and selfish acts. God continued to bless them and provided for them.

The Nation of Israel treatment within Egypt:

We know from the story that nation of Israel suffered greatly under the hand of the Egyptians, and when they cried out to God, he answered their prayers, by sending Moses and Aaron. We know that before the people of Israel was released, God sent various plagues to demonstrate his great power, over Pharaoh and the Egyptian people by turning the Nile river into blood, having thousands of frogs come up from the various streams, canals and ponds, the dust of the air turned into gnats, flies took over peoples homes and businesses, every single livestock the Egyptians had died, boils broke out on the Egyptians, hailed damaged their homes and livelihoods, and to make matters worst of every first born son of the Egyptians passed away.

When the Nation of Israel arrived at the Red Sea:

And the nation of Israel walked out of Egypt with 600k men, not including women and children. And they carried gold, silver and clothing from the Egyptians. When the people of Israel reach the red sea and they saw that the Egyptians was chasing them, they forgot that it was the Lord who brought them out of captivity, they forgot about all the plagues the Lord spared them from, when he placed them on the Egyptians.

They had the audacity to tell Moses, that he should have left them in Egypt because it was better to serve the Egyptians as slaves, than to be free in the desert. But despite their rudeness, and ungratefulness , God still opened the red sea, allow them to walk on dry ground away from their enemies. And to top it all off killed their enemies for them, without them even having to raise or shoot an arrow! Can you imagine, these people were in Egypt for 430 YEARS, and God came through delivered them out of Egypt and they stilled said they rather serve the Egyptians, than to trust that God will see them through.

Application: Thank goodness I am not God because I personally would have left them right there and allow them to figure it out on their own. But God being ever so faithful to his promises, he still made away for them despite their hearts not being fully turns towards him.

When the Nation of Israel wanted Water:

After being freed from over 400 years of slavery, after crossing through the red sea on dry ground, after having all of your enemies who were pursuing you killed without you ever having to fight. Guess what they did church?

They complained again, but this time it was for water! They asked Moses, why did you bring us up out of Egypt to have us and our livestock die of thirst! Moses went to God and said these people are ready to stone him! Can you imagine after all of the miraculous things God had already done for the people of Israel thus far, they still found time within themselves to grumbled and complained, as if the God that brought them thus far, can’t give them water to drink! And despite all of their complaining God blessed them with water from a rock!

Asaph even described this the miracle that he heard by saying, that the people had enough water to fill the depths of the sea, and the water flowed like a river! Can you imagine how that would look in the dessert. Being surrounded by sand, and God again being faithful to his promises allowed water to flow from a rock, like water flowing from a river!

And guess what the children of Israel did again Church after drinking the water? They still found it in their heart to rebelled against God! The same God who did all of the wonderful things for them thus far, they still found reason to make noise and complain!

Application: The Israelites complained about everything, because there hearts was never fully towards God. God brought them out of slavery, killed their enemies for them, directed them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night fed them quail and manner from heaven and gave them water to drink. They enjoyed all of the benefits that he gave, but they never truly trusted.

We look at the Israelites and wonder how ungrateful and stupid can these people be? Don’t they see all of the things God has done for them? They didn’t needed a compass because God guided them, they didn’t needed food because God fed them, they didn’t needed water because God gave them that as well, and yet they still complain, and turn their backs on God.

But what about our lives? We can all remember where God has brought us from, the things God has saved us from, the things done to us that only he can heal. He gave us the ability to create wealth, every need we had, we watch God come through again and again and supplied it. And for some us, the minute something goes wrong we turn our backs on God. We treat God like he didn’t brought us thus far. Do you think this Church would have been here today if it was for God? Do you think any of us would have been sitting here right now if it wasn’t God?

And that is what Asaph was talking about, the responsibility is on us to teach the next generation. So that they can know, that they have what they have, because of God. The next generation must know, that the quality of life that they currently enjoy is because of the faithfulness of God.

Illustration: I know how good I had it growing up until I became a teacher. The quality of you see students coming to school in.

Point 3: We must also teach the next generation for the time ahead:

2 Timothy 4: 3-5

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 4

3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. 5 You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.

This is apart of the charge that Paul gave to Timothy. As mentor pouring into his mentee, Paul warned Timothy who represented the next generation of Preachers and Evangelists, that there will be a time when people will no longer be interested in truth. We can see that so clearly in the world today. They will find teachers who will agree with the sins and lifestyles that they so desire.

In todays world...

Application:

A prominent black pastor whiles on a preaching engagement once said, “that 85% of Jesus’ life he was out of order. And no one from that Church, including the the Senior Pastor stopped him or spoke out against it.

You have pastors today who are now advocating that the church gets into growing and selling weed, because that is the only way that we will get our young men from off the streets.

There are now gender affirming and lgbtq+ churches popping up all through out the United States and around the world.

There are pastors who are taxing the people of God, for every dollar they have, just for them and their families to live like celebrities.

We have churches selling dream pillows, multi color oils, sand and rocks to ward off evil spirits.

Churches are constantly having fundraising initiatives and calling it revival services.

And sadly many people are falling for these tricks and scams.

And that is why its important church, for us to teach the next generation! It is important to let them know that don’t need any dream pillows and no special rock and salt because the blood of Jesus will never lose its power!

The next generation must know that the Bible is the living breathing Word of God , and that everything that is inside the book is real!

We must teach them the next generation hyms like,

 My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.

The next generation must know, that their is nothing about the color of their skin that will get them closer to Jesus or a special spot in heaven!

The next generation must know what the Bible says in Galatians 3:26-29

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 3

26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.

Illustration: Talk about the students that walked to Youth Ministry from Elizabeth estates.

If these students who don’t even attend our Church, can walk all the way from Elizabeth Estates to Youth Ministry on a Friday Night. And if they are the only young people that showed up, then we owe it to them, to teach the Word and pour into them.

Teaching the next generation is our responsibility. No longer can procrastinate and kick the can down the road. The generation coming up needs us now! They need our love, our skills that God has blessed us with. Some of them need to see the love of Christ through us!

On Youth Sunday in June, labeled the next generation the Joshua Generation, but the only way they can see the promises of God and see Revival take place, is if they are obedient to his Word and follow God completely.

But in order for that to happen, they must see us being Obedient to God first! Like Min. Charles talked about 2 weeks ago, We all must fulfilled the called of God on our our lives. No longer can we have our lives on do not disturb, but we able to answer the call because there is a generation after us , who are depending us to Answer the Call and follow Christ faithfully.

Conclusion:

If you are a nursery worker please stand,

If you are a Sunday School teacher please stand,

If assist with the Children’s choir please stand,

If you assist with Treasurers in Earthen Vessels please stand,

If you are a Girls Ministry sponsor please stand,

If you are a Royal Rangers Commander please stand,

If you are ReBirth Youth leader please stand!

Look around parents, these are the men and women that take time out of their busy schedules each week, to prepare lessons and small group activities for your children. These are the people that pray for your children and pour into them on a weekly bases.

To all leaders and volunteers, you are a making a difference. Teaching children and teenagers is not easy, sometimes we prepare lessons, and at the end we feel like no one even heard what you had to say. Sometimes you wonder if this is even worth it, but stay encourage! The work that you do and the ministry that you provide is priceless and God the righteous judge will honor your faithfulness. Stay in the fight, continue to pray, continue to teach, continue to correct, continue to answer the call.

End

If you are apart of a school maintenance staff, a teacher or a an administrator please stand., we want to pray for you as well.

Pray for all standing:

You can now be seated. Thank you!

At this time we will ask for school and college students along with their parents to come up to the altar as we pray for you all.

Pray for students.