Pass it On
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
If you cut through the trunk of a tree, you will see rings inside, each one marking a year of growth. The health of those outer rings depends on the strength of the inner ones. If a tree is healthy in its early years, it will be stronger and more resilient as it ages. But if disease or neglect sets in early, the impact can be seen in every ring that follows. Our faith works much the same way. The health of the next generation depends on the spiritual strength we pass down today.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” That race is not a sprint; it’s a relay. We are called to pass the baton of faith to those coming after us. The next generation is not just the church of tomorrow, they are part of the church right now. What we sow into them today will shape the church long after we are gone.
Jesus Himself chose young people to follow Him and to lead the movement that would change the world. They were not polished or perfect, but they were willing. When we invest in the next generation, we are planting seeds that will grow into leaders, missionaries, worshippers, and witnesses who will carry the DNA of Jesus to places we may never go.
The question is not whether the next generation will be influenced, it’s whether we will be intentional about what we are passing on. Strong roots and healthy rings don’t happen by accident. They come from care, attention, and a willingness to invest deeply in those who are just beginning their race.
Prayer:
Lord, give me eyes to see the next generation as You see them. Help me to pour into them with wisdom, patience, and love. Let the faith You’ve placed in me grow stronger as it’s passed to them. Amen.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
If you cut through the trunk of a tree, you will see rings inside, each one marking a year of growth. The health of those outer rings depends on the strength of the inner ones. If a tree is healthy in its early years, it will be stronger and more resilient as it ages. But if disease or neglect sets in early, the impact can be seen in every ring that follows. Our faith works much the same way. The health of the next generation depends on the spiritual strength we pass down today.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” That race is not a sprint; it’s a relay. We are called to pass the baton of faith to those coming after us. The next generation is not just the church of tomorrow, they are part of the church right now. What we sow into them today will shape the church long after we are gone.
Jesus Himself chose young people to follow Him and to lead the movement that would change the world. They were not polished or perfect, but they were willing. When we invest in the next generation, we are planting seeds that will grow into leaders, missionaries, worshippers, and witnesses who will carry the DNA of Jesus to places we may never go.
The question is not whether the next generation will be influenced, it’s whether we will be intentional about what we are passing on. Strong roots and healthy rings don’t happen by accident. They come from care, attention, and a willingness to invest deeply in those who are just beginning their race.
Prayer:
Lord, give me eyes to see the next generation as You see them. Help me to pour into them with wisdom, patience, and love. Let the faith You’ve placed in me grow stronger as it’s passed to them. Amen.
No Comments