Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is clear, our job is to pass on what we know about who God is and the work He has done in our lives, that we should impart this knowledge onto the next generation. Families play a vital role in this,since parents are the primary teachers of their children. We need parents to teach their children about Jesus, and about how He is the Way, the Truth, andthe Life. We need parents to exemplify how Jesus is at work in their own lives, as they disciple they children. This may seem like a daunting task, but it is the task that parents have been given.

And the truth is our church is filled with all different types of families, single parent families, blended families, extended families, adopted and foster families. All of which has its own challenges and own  difficulties and stresses. This is where the church family can step in to help. As a church we need to support the work of passing on what we know to the next generation. In fact, the Bible has an entire book written when the next generation is not trained up. See, Moses passed on what he learned to Joshua, but who did Joshua and his generation pass on what they knew? Judges 2:10 states, “And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” Joshua and his generation did not abide by the Scripture to train up their children as a generation.

Here at First Denton we have the next generation within our walls. We need to be sure we are using our time and effort to tell this next generation in our church about who Jesus is, why He came, and how through his death and resurrection we can be saved. We do not want to run the risk of not doing our part to teach, disciple, and equip the next generation along-side parents. Whether you are single or married, have children, want to have children, or are empty nesters, please pray for this next generation within our church. Pray that we would be good stewards with the children placed in our care. Pray for those workers, and volunteers who devote themselves and their time to teaching and loving our little ones. Pray for those families who are broken, who are hurting, who are in need of healing. Pray for the families who need restoration, hope, grace, and love. Pray that our church would be devoted to reaching the next generation for Christ!

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