Passing the faith along

February 22, 2007

By Jerry Scott

In reading the books of 1 and 2 Kings, I note a phrase showing up again and again as a new generation of leadership is introduced: “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” The nations of Israel and Judah were led by a succession of kings. One might be good and righteous while the next would forsake the Lord. Terrible kings succeeded some of the godliest kings.

I noted these kings were usually members of the same family. Son would follow father, which might cause us to assume the faith would remain intact from generation to generation. It didn’t! Why? Because each generation must have its own encounter with God.

It is every generation’s God-given task to lay the foundation of the knowledge of God for the next, but we cannot save our children from their sins. Only God can transform a human heart. We present the Truth. If we are wise, we live it as well so our children have compelling examples to follow. Then we must pray for the Holy Spirit to take hold of the heart and mind of our child, drawing that sinful one to the Cross and to a soul-transforming encounter with Jesus.

There is a folly in the land of the churched that believes a good youth group or a solid Sunday School can replace parental example! A good community of faith is an important part of the spiritual development of any person, young or old. However, when it comes to passing the faith to the next generation, there is nothing as powerful on earth as the consistent example of Mom and Dad living in the fear of the Lord. Kids have a hypocrisy detector that can sense the old “do what I say, not what I do” nonsense at an early age.

That said, let me underscore once again even the best and godliest of parents cannot save their children. God deals with each generation and each one must respond to Him to receive the regenerative life of the Spirit for themselves.

As I watch my two little grandsons play my heart is full of love for them, my strongest yearning being they will know the Lord and find the joy of life in the Spirit early in their lives. I commit myself to passing the faith along, praying their parents will provide quality spiritual nurture, and, most importantly, the Holy Spirit will draw them to the living Lord and find in them a response of obedient faith.

Are you passing the faith along, laying the foundation of the knowledge of God, living a life that invites the next generation to join the community of the people of God?

 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1:7-9, NIV).

Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor of Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.