Preparing the Next Generation

As a community it is our responsibility to prepare the next generation of christians for the challenges that come with being a child of God.

There are a few key points I want to address with this article

1: The power of a child like faith

2: The power of living in Christ

3: The humility of a life in Christ

4: Why prayer is important

What is a child like faith?

A child often believes something simply because of their trust in the person who tells them. This attitude of "absolute" trust is something people tend to lose as they age and for christians this is detrimental to the Christ life. The ability to trust God so completely with every facet of life, to be so completely dependent upon His love and grace, what a blessing it is to be so in love with Christ. What a blessing to have such a close relationship with Abba Father.

A child like faith allows for us to the impossible, it allows us to be brave when we are in fear, it allows us to have wisdom when foolishness strikes, it allows us to grow as children of God who are unafraid of persecution, because we know God is with us.

How is the life in Christ powerful?

The life in Christ is powerful in its beauty, a beauty that can only be explained as the overflow of abundant grace and love. Living in Christ is such a testament to His power, people can see Him through the lives of the people around them, this is the power of an abundant overflowing grace. To live in Christ is to be compassionate to all and not just a few. We as a community of believers must remove bigotry and favoritism from our hearts through the cleansing power of God, so that we can better teach our children to be kind and loving to all especially those who persecute them. Our kindness to those who hate us is the calling of the compassionate Christ.

Living in Christ gives us strength so that we may overcome the things we cannot defeat on our own, this next generation must learn this if they are to remain set apart from the world.

What does a humble life in Christ look like?

The definition of Christian humility: Having the strength of God through faith to overcome obstacles without using it for personal glory but rather for the glorification of our Great Refuge.

This is exemplified in the story of Moses, a murderer, a stutterer, and a meek warrior. Moses accomplished so many amazing feats but not once did he ever do so for personal gain it was always for the glory of God and always for the will of God. Moses was not perfect but it was by those imperfections that God shaped the very hearts of Israel and rescued them from Egypt.

For those more comfortable with the New Testament let us explore the writing of Paul to the Philippians specifically Philippians 2: 3-4,"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

A very large part of the Christ life is seeking to look after others before yourself, but there is a caveat to this you cannot let yourself come into disarray. Humility is essential to the power of living in Christ, it exemplifies the grace of God so much more than words alone can ever do.

Why is prayer important?

A very serious question that many christians ask at one point or another on the walk with Christ.

Prayer is powerful, it gives us, sinful humans, a way to develop an intimate and personal relationship with God, a relationship that could not exist without the sacrifice of Christ.

Prayer is honest, it allows us the opportunity to volitionally offer up the struggles upon our heart to God, whether we seek forgiveness, as we should, or for wisdom in the coming trials. An honest prayer deepens the intimacy between man and God.

Through prayer we are able to gain wisdom and strength as we battle against temptation daily.

These things must be taught to the next Generation and it is our duty and calling to teach it to them with the bible and with open discussion.

Email me any thoughts you have on this subject or any questions regarding the content, I have a message system at the bottom of the main page, God Bless.