How To Powerfully Impact The Next Generation
Exodus 3:6 (NIV)
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”
Acts 2:39 (NIV)
“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Psalm 145:4 (CSB)
“One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.”
1 Kings 2:1–3 (NLT)
1 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:
2 “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man.
3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”
1 Chronicles 22:6–13 (NIV)
6 Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him…
7 David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God.
8 But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name…
9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11 “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would.
12 May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
1. See them the way God sees them
1 Chronicles 22:7–10 (NIV)
7 David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God.
8 But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘…you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’”
2. Challenge them to be wholehearted after God
1 Kings 2:1–3 (NLT)
2 “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man.
3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”
1 Chronicles 28:9 (NLT)
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him.”
3. Encourage them with the promises and blessings of God
1 Chronicles 22:13 (NIV)
“Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Psalm 37:1–6 (NLT)
1 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:25–26 (NLT)
25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.
26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.
