The Generation to Come

This past weekend, I spoke at a church in Erwin, Tennessee. I brought a message in the Sunday morning service entitled "The Generation to Come." I'd like to share a few thoughts from the message in this article.

"Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to THE GENERATION TO COME the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He hath done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make known to their children:

That THE GENERATION TO COME might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." Psalm 78

We are in a battle for the heart and soul of the next generation.

Gen Z (born between 1997 - 2010)

Gen Alpha (born between 2011 - 2025)

Today's Kids:

You were a child but you've never been a child now. Today's kids face things we never faced.

• 8 second attention span

• spend 7 hrs. 3 min8 minutes a day with digital media / they are immersed in it

• interact with up to 5 screens a day.

• on demand

• terrorism - they realize they could be shot at school, mall, places of buiness...even at church

By 2025, there will be 2 billion Gen Alpha in the world. What an incredible mission field they are.

"Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let the face away your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 6:9

"For generations to come, we are called to lovingly and courageously do whatever we can to pass along the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Churches must reach and disciple the next generation or they will eventually not be a church.

If there are no children in your ministry, your church is terminal.

We must be intentional about reaching the next generation.

"After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel." Judges 2:9

1. Pass them God's way of salvation. The Gospel is the greatest thing you could ever pass on.

2. Pass them God's wisdom so they will know how to make wise decisions.

3. Pass them God's Word.

The next generation is watching you.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."

Your greatest accomplishment will not be something you do but rather someone you raise.

4. Walk the talk. You teach what you know. You produce who you are.

5. Parents - you are your child's first and most influential teacher.

6. 4 times you can invest in your children in an average day.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Home Time

Drive Time

Bed Time

Morning Time

7. Make Jesus the center of your family's life.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

A legacy is not what you leave for people, it's what you leave in people.

8. Just show up and be there.

9. Invest in what really matters.

10. Serve the next generation. Invest your time, talent and treasure into them.

Would you like to have Dale come to your church and invest in your leaders and get your church excited about reaching the next generation? You can get more info. at the link below. Dale offers both in-person or online trainings for children's ministries.

https://www.buildingchildrensministry.com/speaking-training