Despite the challenges in the differences between generations, the method for discipleship remains the same. God still expects older generations to teach younger generations how to follow Christ.
Read: Psalm 145
There is a growing concern in the church today with reaching the next generation for Christ. The culture is at war, and the target is our youth.
Let’s face it, the world’s methods are effective. Every child is within their reach and susceptible to their strategies.
Our methods have not been as effective. We have primarily focused on making Christianity ‘cool’ and attractive, emphasizing entertainment over substance and trying to remain in touch without being boring. However, we cannot beat the world when playing by their rules.
The Bible, however, does give us a strategy on how to reach the next generation. It’s not innovative, but it is a tried and true model designed in the mind of God. If we want the generation that follows us to remain faithful to God, then we must remain faithful to what God has called us to do.
RESOLVE
Despite the challenges in the differences between generations, the method for discipleship remains the same. God still expects older generations to teach younger generations how to follow Christ, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (v. 4).
After returning from captivity in Babylon, the Israelites committed themselves to a number of resolutions to prevent them from repeating the problems of the past. It was a lack of obedience to God that had led a previous generation into exile. The post-exilic believers sought to fortify their faith so that they would persevere in the truth for the coming generations. Psalm 145 encapsulates their resolve.
MEDITATE
“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate” (v. 5). This resolution seems indirect, but has a direct impact on how we influence those around us. It is to meditate on the glory and works of God. This internal reflection is crucial in order to orient our own lives in light of what God is doing in our world.
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it until my last breath: we must preach the gospel to ourselves. Not only are we more likely to listen to ourselves than others, but what we say to ourselves actually matters. We need to preempt all of the voices that surround us, conveying lies that we are vulnerable to believe, and we need to declare the truth of God’s word to our heart, soul, and mind. We need to bring our whole being into subjection to Christ and that requires spiritual discipline that flows from an understanding of what Christ has done for us.
This is exactly what the psalmist is doing here when he recounts what God has done, “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (v. 8-9).
It is so important to be in God’s Word on a daily basis, allowing the Scriptures to speak to us and meditating on them throughout the day. This resolution cannot be overlooked, diminished, or skipped. If we want to make an impact in the next generation, then it starts with us.
TESTIFY
Psalm 107:1-2 has been our theme verse this summer, “...Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…” This is our testimony and the next resolution in this psalm, “They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness” (v. 6).
I often tell people that our testimonies need to be kept up to date. If we are telling stories that happened to us decades ago and don’t have anything to share about the goodness of God in recent days, then we are giving the impression, especially to younger generations, that God has been silent and inactive all of these years since.
I think it is important to apply what we have learned in meditating on the glory and goodness of God and integrate that into our testimonies. We ought to declare what God is doing in our lives day by day along with our point of conversion.
The psalmist envisions a day where the stories of what God has done are passed down from generation to generation, and each generation is able to look to their own experiences and testify to the goodness of God. “All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations” (v. 10-13).
My closest friends will tell you that they know what passage of Scripture I’ve been reading because it inevitably will come up in our conversations. I wish that I could take credit for it and say that it is intentional, but the truth is, that’s just the way I am. As I am meditating on Scripture, I just can’t help but share it with those around me.
That seems to be what the psalmist is doing as well, after expressing the importance of declaring our faith, this psalm goes on to extol the blessings of God. In fact, this is the longest section of this psalm, which goes to demonstrate the kinds of things we ought to be declaring about God:
“The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy” (v. 14-20).
These are the kinds of truths that we need to communicate to future generations with conviction.
WORSHIP
It is astounding how much we are being watched by the next generation. They are observing us even when we don’t think that they are paying attention. What we are communicating to them by our subtle actions often has far greater weight than what we are saying with our mouths, especially when what we say does not match how we behave. Children learn not only by what is taught, but by what is caught.
If we were to poll the next generation and ask them what they think we were most committed to, what do you think they would say? Would it be the kingdoms of this world, or the Kingdom of God? This is why our worship is so important in leaving a lasting legacy. They may not remember what we have told them, but they won’t be able to deny our devotion, “They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness” (v. 7).
This psalm begins and ends with a declaration and commitment of praise: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (v. 1-3). “My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever” (v. 21).
Worshiping once a week is not enough to demonstrate the place of prominence that God deserves in our lives. When we disproportionately give our time to earthly treasures, we convey to the next generation that our faith is of lesser value. We shouldn’t be surprised when the next generation inherits the idols of our own heart when we have emphasized school, work, sports, and hobbies over the worship of God.
If we want to reach the next generation, this is the way that we leave a lasting impression. Let those who come behind us find God to be faithful.
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
