Yesterday I preached in an amazing church where I was introduced as ‘Dan’s dad’. I shook hands with many people, “You know who this is don’t you?! This is Dan’s dad!” I was so thankful to God that my son who had preached in this church many times before was being helpful to introducing who I was! I was thankful for the circle of life. “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…” At the end of the service the church gathered around a 15 year old girl who was going for hospital treatment. The members didn’t just pray, they really interceded and brought words of encouragement. The girl was so important to them, she was valued and she was clearly their investment. I then went back to the Pastor’s house for lunch and sat round the table with 5 of their 6 children of various ages up to 21yrs and marvelled at how this couple had modelled not only a loving marriage but had inspired their children to walk with Jesus also. We talked about a young lady I had met in the church that morning who has a desire to help the Pastor in reaching children and young people. The young lady seemed really young yet was driving her own car and no doubt was a very responsible adult! I was feeling old! Yet I was happy! It was how it is always meant to be. This is God’s circle of life for the church. It is His desire that our sons and daughters prophesy.
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.” (1 Peter 5 v 5)
Peter moves on from instruction to the elders of the church to the younger generation. Having written how to live under authority, to the slaves with masters, living in marriage and within community, he turns his attention to the younger ones. They too need to learn how to live.
In the same way. Likewise. In like manner. The baton is passed. Copy. Do the same.
Just 50% of children growing up in Christian homes will keep their faith as adults.
- Care for the Family
“If our children are going to walk away from Christ, we need to raise them in such a way that to walk away from Jesus is to walk away from a life of faith, risk and adventure and to choose a life that is boring mundane and ordinary.” Erwin McManus (Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church, Los Angeles)
As we near the end of our race have we passed on the baton?
I know many opposite stories to the one I have just told of the Pastor’s family. I know of the tears and the pain of loving parents who have seen their children walk away from the Church. Some churches don’t have a younger generation to pass the baton to. The promise in the prophecy from Joel and which Peter used at Pentecost is comforting. “Your sons and daughters will be carriers of the Word of God in their generation.” I am quite sure when he was instructing the younger generation to submit just as much as everyone else in the Church community he had this prophecy in mind also. This is the outpouring of the Spirit that we need.
Missions Paul 