The Next Generation

One of the great struggles of young families is not allowing the cares of life to cause you to loose focus as to what really matters.

Raising up the next generation!

Jesus speaking into the end of days.

Luke 21:34–36 ESV

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Parable of the Seed Sower

Matthew 13:18–23 ESV

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Allowing yourself to be honest this morning not just to the young but to the old as well, what has been your focus?

Or better question what is distracting you ? And quite possibly choking the power of the Word out of your life?

Ephesians 6:1–4 ESV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Fathers—including mothers; the fathers are specified as being the fountains of domestic authority. Fathers are more prone to anger in relation to their children than mothers are.

Provoke not—irritate not, by vexatious commands, unreasonable blame, and uncertain temperament.

Sometimes the way we carry the cares of this world, affects how we parent!

There is a better way and it is God’s way!

Discipline and Instruction: the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body.

Of the Lord—such as the Lord approves, and by His Spirit dictates.

In other words in the manner that please the Lord.

Remember even your children belong to the Lord you are just stewards of His (little) Graces!

Deuteronomy 4:1–4 ESV

1 “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today.

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV

9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Proverbs 19:18 ESV

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Parenting can be one of the hardest challenges you face in life!

Proverbs 29:17 ESV

17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

A stat that I heard this week; one of the greatest influences in a child keeping their faith into adult life, is the memorization of scriptures!

2 Timothy 3:14–17 ESV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Mom’s, Dad’s and grandparents you never how your faith will influence your child or grandchild!

You never know when you may be raising a Timothy!

2 Timothy 1:5–7 ESV

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Close: If there is one thing that I would absolutely encourage every young family it would be this !

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Maybe you have taken your eyes off of Jesus all you have to do is adjust your vision!

Pray for all young families.