Generational Faith

May 25, 2024 Greg McNichols

The full video of this teaching is available at the bottom of this post and this link.

AN ALL TOO FAMILIAR STORY

Sitting at the kitchen island, with only the glow of the two hanging pendant lights between them, Mom glanced nervously at her teenage daughter, who was scrolling through her phone. "Sweetie," Mom began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I was thinking maybe you could go to church this Sunday, you know, if you're not too busy." The daughter slightly shook her head to acknowledge what she heard, and hinting at her answer. Yet, her eyes remained glued to her phone, prompting mom to continue, her words tumbling out awkwardly. "I mean, it's just... I think it might be nice. You know, Jesus has always been a big part of my life, but I understand if you don't feel the same way. I just thought... well, maybe you'd like to give church a try? Or not. It's totally up to you. I don't want to, you know, push anything on you or anything like that." She finished with a weak smile, her eyes pleading for some sort of positive response while desperately hoping she hadn't overstepped any unspoken boundaries.

AN INSIDIOUS NOTION

There is an insidious notion in our secular culture that says, "If you teach your kids your beliefs and encourage them to adopt them, you are indoctrinating them and hindering their ability to discover their own truth.” We want our faith in Jesus to be lived out by our children, yet this cultural narrative is constantly warning us against influencing our children with our Christian beliefs. We find ourselves navigating these waters, wanting to share our faith without alienating those around us or being perceived as religious zealots. How can we lovingly and effectively guide our children without falling into the trap of a culture that seeks to indoctrinate them to reject God, redefine morality, and deconstruct all truth?

Let's focus on 1 Chronicles 28, where King David passed his faith to his son Solomon. By examining David's words and actions, we can uncover valuable principles to guide us in living out generational faith.

CLEAR DIRECTION

“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.” 1 Chronicles 28:9a

David didn't adopt a neutral stance or leave Solomon to discover faith on his own; instead, he provided explicit instructions to worship and serve God with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind. This principle of clear direction is crucial for us as parents today. Being intentional and unambiguous about our faith gives our children a solid foundation and a clear path.

“Learn to know the God of your ancestors" insinuates that parents and grandparents are giving clear teaching about God through sharing stories, teaching biblical principles, and creating opportunities for discussions about faith. This helps ensure that the knowledge and love of God are available for the next generation to learn.

David's example shows us that guiding our children in their spiritual journey involves more than passive encouragement—it requires active, deliberate, and heartfelt instruction.

Our secular culture will provide your children with clear direction to:

Reject God and equate faith in Jesus with faith in the flying spaghetti monster.
Define morality for themselves based on personal feelings and societal whims.
Find their ultimate meaning and purpose within themselves.
This pervasive direction is powerful and persuasive, making it all the more essential for us as parents to root our children in scripture and our faith in Jesus.

TEACH FREEWILL

For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.1 Chronicles 28:9b

David clearly teaches Solomon that while God knows our innermost thoughts and desires, it is ultimately up to each individual to seek God or turn away from Him. This underscores the principle of free will, a crucial concept for our children to understand.

Teaching our children about free will means helping them understand that their choices have real consequences. They have the freedom to seek God and experience the fullness of His love, but they also have the freedom to reject Him, which leads to separation from Him. This concept is fundamental in helping them realize the value and responsibility of their decisions in their spiritual journey.

In stark contrast, secular culture and academia teach our children determinism - the concept that asserts that all events, including their moral choices, are entirely determined by previously existing causes. This viewpoint suggests that individuals are not truly responsible for their actions; societal structures, religious dogma, and pervasive victimhood are the primary drivers of their behavior. Personal accountability is diminished, and external factors are blamed for one's choices and actions.

Determinism undermines the concept of free will by implying that people are merely products of their environment, with little control over their destiny. As parents, it is vital to recognize this counter-narrative and to guide our children in understanding that, while external influences are real, they possess the innate ability and responsibility to make their own choices and seek a relationship with God.

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

"David also said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.'" 1 Chronicles 28:20

We must teach our children that courage comes from steadfast faith and dedication to God’s Word and work. Whatever challenges they face, they should never forget that He is with them, giving them the strength to fulfill their divine purpose without fear or discouragement. By staying strong, they'll not only keep their faith but also bring God's unwavering truth to light in the world.

On the flip side, if they are weak and lack courage, they will end up at the mercy of society's power players, who twist morality for their own benefit. These folks, driven by self-interest, often call harmful behaviors and ideas good while branding virtuous actions and beliefs as evil. Living under such rule blurs the lines between right and wrong, causing moral confusion and spiritual decay. Without spiritual courage, our children risk being swayed by shifting popular opinions and ultimately losing their sense of purpose and identity in Christ. It's our job to give them the strength and courage to live out God’s Word so they can resist the deceptive stories of moral relativism.

PROVIDE RESOURCES

"Then David gave Solomon the plans for the Temple and its surroundings, including the entry room, the storerooms, the upstairs rooms, the inner rooms, and the inner sanctuary—which was the place of atonement. David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries, and the rooms for the gifts dedicated to the Lord." 1 Chronicles 28:11-12

David didn't just leave Solomon to figure out how to build God's temple on his own. He gave him specific, clear instructions straight from God. If Solomon had listened to the people around him, they would have told him to build it in a way that suited their own interests. David ensured Solomon had the right guidance to keep selfish influences out of such a sacred task. This shows how important it is to resource our kids to follow Christ successfully.

One essential resource is getting them involved in your church's youth and children's ministries. These programs offer a community where kids can grow in their faith alongside their peers. Through fun activities, Bible teachings, and guidance from trusted leaders, they learn how to navigate their faith in environments that contradict it. The friendships and mentorship they gain in these settings are crucial for developing a strong, lasting faith.

Family devotional time is another invaluable resource. This practice helps deepen their understanding of Scripture and opens up discussions about faith and life's challenges. Regular devotionals strengthen family bonds and model a Christ-centered lifestyle. Moreover, giving them access to podcasts, videos, and books that highlight the differences between secular culture and biblical teachings equips them to discern truth amidst the noise.

CHALLENGES

Parents, our role in guiding our children’s spiritual journey is more critical now than ever. As you’ve seen through the example of David and Solomon, it’s essential to provide clear direction, teach the principle of free will, encourage strength and courage, and offer practical resources to support their faith. I challenge you to take intentional steps in these areas. Engage your children in meaningful conversations about faith, involve them in church activities, and establish regular family devotionals. These efforts will create a solid foundation for their spiritual growth and help them navigate the challenges they face in a secular world.

To all the teens and young adults reading this, I challenge you to seek God with all your heart and embrace a faith in Jesus as your own. Don’t be swayed by the ever-changing opinions of society. Instead, stand firm in God’s absolute truth, knowing that true strength and courage come from Him. Engage with the resources available to you—youth group, devotionals, and Christian podcasts and channels—to deepen your faith and understanding. Remember, you can make choices that honor God and fulfill your divine purpose. Stand firm and shine His truth into the world.

THE BEGINNING OF A BETTER STORY

Dad and his son sit on the back porch, the evening sun setting. Dad takes a deep breath and turns to his son, who is intently looking at his tablet. "Hey buddy," Dad begins, his tone casual but purposeful. I wanted to talk to you about something important."

The son looks up, slightly intrigued. "What's up, Dad?"

"You know how I've been talking about how important faith is in our lives," Dad continued, "I want to make sure you have everything you need to grow in your faith, too.

The son nods slowly, considering the idea. "Yeah, I guess that sounds alright."

Dad smiled, feeling hopeful. Dad continued, "I found some really cool podcasts and videos that break down some of the big questions you may have about faith and what you are learning in your social studies class. We can check them out together, or you can listen to them on your own. How does that sound?"

The son smiled, appreciating his dad's effort. "That sounds pretty good, Dad. Let’s do it.”