3 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Judges 1-2
Luke 10:13-37

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Judges 2:10 (CSB): “That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works he had done for Israel.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

Someone has said: “Christianity is always only one generation away from extinction.” This comment is intended to reveal how quickly Christianity could disappear from the scenes if it was not passed from one successive generation to another.

It is in this light that we read the verse I have chosen for today.

Judges 2:10 (CSB): “That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works he had done for Israel.”

The truth of that verse didn’t occur in a vacuum. There were specific actions that led to that result. What might they have been?

It seems all it takes is for one generation to grow apathetic toward the Lord. They don’t share their faith. They don’t tell their stories of what they saw God do. They don’t talk about God’s laws and why they are good to obey. The topics of God and His Word are simply ignored.

In that absence, the next generation will grow up without a God-consciousness. They won’t know anything about the Lord, and they won’t be drawn to a God they don’t know.

While this played out on a national level with Israel during the time of the judges, I’ve seen it happen over and over in families. A dad and mom are supposedly saved. They are trusting in Jesus to make them right in God’s eyes. But they grow distant from God for some reason. The kids growing up in their home don’t hear about the Lord. They don’t hear about His laws, His love, or how He has graciously intervened in their lives. So, the children are never drawn to Him. If the parents’ salvation is real, they are headed to Heaven while their kids are headed to Hell.

Friend, our relationship with God isn’t a private thing. Others are watching and others are influenced by our lives, one way or the other.

My wife and I determined early in our marriage that if we won our communities to the Lord but lost our kids, we would see ourselves as failures. Because of that, we have prayed and worked toward helping our boys come into a relationship with Jesus and then grow in their knowledge of and obedience to Him.

Will you do the same thing?

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you resolve to live out your faith and pass it on to the next generation.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into passing on your faith, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“How can I evangelize my friends and family without pushing them away?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)