Kids Need a God-Glorifying Mission to Live For More Than They Need the Safe, Small Life Our Culture Sells Them

Text: Psalm 78:40–72; Deuteronomy 6:4–9

Introduction

Kids are quick to say: “That’s your job, not mine!”

Trash, homework, feeding the dog — if they can pass it off, they will.

But when it comes to God’s mission, they can’t just point to Mom, Dad, or the pastor.

Jesus gave the Great Commission to all His disciples — not just adults, not just missionaries.

Kids don’t get a junior version of the Christian life.

They don’t receive a “junior Holy Spirit” — the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in them (Romans 8:11).

They aren’t called to a “little holiness” — the same call to “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) applies to them.

They don’t get a different Great Commission — Jesus gave all His disciples the same mission (Matthew 28:19–20).

When kids see missions as something they’re part of, their faith moves from watching to doing.

Transitional Statement: Psalm 78 gives us a living case study — it shows what happens when God’s people forget their mission and turn inward. And it shows us how God raises up leaders to bring His people back to His glory.

1. God Calls His People to Remember His Mission (vv. 40–55)

Israel wasn’t rescued from Egypt just to live safe lives in the wilderness — they were redeemed to live on mission as God’s covenant people. But instead, they forgot, turned back, and limited God.

A. They provoked God by turning back (vv. 40–42)

Psalm 78:40–42 (KJV)

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

“They grieved Him in the desert” (v. 40).

They chose complaint over calling.

They forgot they were saved to serve, not just survive.

“They turned back and tempted God” (v. 41).

They tested His patience by refusing to trust His purpose.

Turning back = forgetting mission.

“They remembered not his hand” (v. 42).

Forgetting God’s works leads to forgetting God’s mission.

His presence has a purpose in our lives. He entered our world so we can enter Heaven. But we are not home yet.

Application: Our kids need to learn that salvation is not just about what God has done for us — it’s about what He wants to do through us.

B. They forgot God’s victories (vv. 43–51)

Psalm 78:43–51 (KJV)

43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

44 And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;

51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

God’s mighty acts in Egypt (vv. 43–48).

He struck Egypt with plagues to show His power over false gods.

Each plague was a receipt of His supremacy.

The Passover lamb (vv. 49–51).

God redeemed them with blood on the doorposts.

They were saved for a purpose, not just safety.

Forgetting redemption led to rebellion.

When you forget the Lamb, you drift into living for yourself.

Israel was to observe Passover “so that you may remember the day of your departure from Egypt all the days of your life.” Exodus 12:26–27 “26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.”

No mention of them taking the Passover after Number 9 (start of wondering) but restart when they get out.

Anchor Israel’s identity in God’s saving work, would have reminded them that they were His redeemed people.

Application: Parents, rehearse the gospel often. Kids must see that redemption isn’t just history — it’s the foundation of their mission today.

C. They forgot God’s inheritance (vv. 52–55)

Psalm 78:52–55 (KJV)

52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

He led them as a Shepherd into the inheritance they had forgotten (v. 52–53)

“He made his own people to go forth like sheep.”

God guided His people tenderly and safely, defeating their enemies along the way.

Their inheritance was a gift of His shepherding care, not their own strength.

He gave them a sanctuary for His glory (v. 54)

“He brought them to the border of his sanctuary.”

The land was not only for their rest but for their worship and witness.

God’s presence and purpose defined their inheritance.

He gave them a mission through the land (v. 55)

“He cast out the heathen… and made the tribes of Israel to dwell.”

The inheritance was a base for mission, not just comfort.

Israel was meant to show the nations what it looks like to live under God’s rule.

Application: Our homes are not just fortresses of safety — they are launchpads for mission. Raise arrows, not ornaments. Psalm 127:4 “4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.”

Transitional Statement: God called His people to remember their mission, but instead, they chose rebellion. When God’s people forget His mission, they waste their lives.

2. God Warns His People About Wasting Their Lives (vv. 56–64)

God gives His people a mission, but when they rebel against His Word and chase idols, they waste the very life He entrusted to them. Psalm 78 shows us that wasted mission always leads to devastating consequences—God’s presence departs, His power is lost, and even His leaders fall.

A. They rebelled against His covenant (vv. 56–58)

Psalm 78:56–58 (KJV)

56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

“They kept not his testimonies” (v. 56)

They ignored the Word that was to guide them.

Disobedience erased their mission.

Without obedience, they lost their distinction as God’s people.

“They turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers” (v. 57)

They repeated the failures of the past.

Like a crooked bow, they missed the target.

They aimed at comfort instead of God’s glory.

“They provoked him to anger with their high places” (v. 58)

They replaced mission with idolatry.

They worshiped created things rather than the Creator.

They forfeited their inheritance by seeking other gods..

Application: The safe, small life often looks like idolatry in disguise — worshiping comfort, success, or approval instead of God.

B. They suffered devastating consequences (vv. 59–64)

Psalm 78:59–64 (KJV)

59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:

60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;

61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.

62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.

63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

God rejected Shiloh (vv. 59–60).

The place that once carried His presence was abandoned.

Mission lost means presence lost.

The ark was captured (vv. 61–62).

Their greatest symbol of victory became a trophy for their enemies.

When mission is neglected, even sacred things lose their power.

Leaders fell, worship collapsed (v. 64).

“Their priests fell by the sword.”

Spiritual leadership fails when the mission is forgotten.

Application: When we choose safety over mission, we don’t keep what we tried to protect — we lose it.

Transitional Statement: Israel wasted their mission — but God wasn’t done. He is so committed to His mission that He raises up leaders to bring His people back to His glory.

3. God Raises Up Leaders to Refocus His People on His Glory (vv. 65–72)

When God’s people waste their mission, He does not abandon His purpose—He raises up leaders to call them back to His glory. Psalm 78 shows us a warrior God who defends His mission, a faithful God who builds His work on an eternal foundation, and a gracious God who provides shepherd-leaders to guide His people with integrity and skill.

A. God stirred Himself like a warrior (vv. 65–66)

Psalm 78:65–66 (KJV)

65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

God “awoke as one out of sleep” (v. 65)

Not because He was absent but to reveal His timing.

His action was decisive and undeniable.

What looked like delay was really preparation for deliverance.

He struck His enemies (v. 66a)

God’s power silences opposition.

No enemy can stand against His mission.

His victory brings confidence to His people.

He turned back their shame (v. 66b)

God reverses the scorn of His enemies.

His mission is always vindicated.

Our children must see: God’s mission is unstoppable.

B. Reminded of Lost Opportunity (vv. 67–69)

Psalm 78:67–69 (KJV)

67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.

He rejected Ephraim and Shiloh (v. 67)

God will not anchor His work in disobedience.

Privilege without faithfulness leads to loss.

God moves His mission forward, even when people fail.

He chose Judah and Mount Zion (v. 68)

God always provides a new place for His presence.

His mission continues through His chosen means.

He centers His work where His glory will be honored.

He built His sanctuary “like the earth… forever” (v. 69)

His mission rests on an eternal foundation.

What God establishes cannot be shaken.

Our confidence is in the permanence of His presence.

Application: God relocates His work to accomplish His glory. Don’t cling to comfort zones — stay aligned with His mission.

C. God raised up David (vv. 70–72)

Psalm 78:70–72 (KJV)

70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

God took him from shepherding sheep (v. 70)

Mission begins in the ordinary places of life.

Faithfulness in small things prepares us for bigger things.

God delights to use humble beginnings for great purposes.

God called him to shepherd His people (v. 71)

Mission is never about self — it is about serving others.

David’s calling was not to build his own name but to bless God’s people.

True leadership is always marked by selfless care.

David led with “integrity of heart and skill of hand” (v. 72)

The mission requires character before competence.

Skill matters, but it must be guided by a pure heart.

God’s people flourish under leaders who are both godly and capable.

Application: Our kids need to see leaders (parents, pastors, mentors) who live with integrity and lead with skill on God’s mission.

Conclusion – A Mission Worth Living For

Kids don’t just need shoes, grades, or screens.

They need a mission worth living for — something bigger than themselves, something eternal.

Your kids are learning how to be adults by watching you.

If all they see is you dragging through the day, sighing through chores, and carrying your exhaustion like a badge of honor, they’re not learning the value of hard work. They’re learning to fear it.

When you come home from work and only complain... when there’s no laughter, no joy, no hobbies, no delight in life... you’re teaching them that adulthood is a prison. That growing up means stepping into a cycle of stress, chores, and misery.

And here’s the hard truth: you may be sacrificing for them, but if joy never shows up in your sacrifice, the message they receive is that life isn’t good.

The greatest inheritance you’ll give your children isn’t money. It’s the example of a life lived with purpose, responsibility, and joy in Jesus.

Let them see that you can be grown, responsible, and still laugh. Let them see that you love the life God has given you.

Because when they see your joy, they’ll see a future worth growing up for.

Practical Takeaways

Parents: Don’t raise kids for safety — raise them for sending. Arrows are meant to fly (Psalm 127:4).

Church: Measure success not by how comfortable we are but by how committed we are to God’s mission.