Hope in the Next Generation

Before we can look at who we want our children to become, we must first look at who we are.

A blessed life always begins and ends with God as the first priority. (v.3-5)

Jesus said this is the greatest commandment in the Bible. (v.5)

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.Matthew 22:36-40

As God takes his rightful place, everything else will fall into place.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Matthew 6:31-33

God expects full ownership and devotion.

Placing anything above God is idolatry.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.Exodus 20:3

The Word of God must become our devotion and delight. (v.6)

The Word of God gives perspective.

Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.Psalm 119:17-18

The Word of God illuminates the path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.Psalm 119:105

The Word of God keeps our heart aligned with the heart of our Father.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.Psalm 119:9

We must diligently teach the Word to our children. (v.7)

This is the process of discipleship. Inculcate: instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction: diligently teach

Discipleship requires an intentional training in the Scriptures and how it applies to our lives today.

And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 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.Exodus 12:26-27

Discipleship requires an intentional lifestyle modeling of a committed, Spirit-filled life.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.Philippians 3:17

“I’m not perfect.” “Good. Teach your children how to repent.”

We must always faithfully live as committed followers of Jesus in every area of our lives. (v.7)

We must constantly be growing.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58

We must be consistent.

Hypocrisy destroys the work we are trying to accomplish.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.Ephesians 6:4

The Word does the work.

If we do our part, we can trust the Lord with the outcome.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6