Spending “quality time” with a loved one is fine, but there is really no substitute for “quantity time”. You just have to be there to develop healthy relationships. In the next ten years we will have endless opportunities to reach people for Jesus as the church is a great place to develop a genuine sense of community (face-to-face relationships with people who really love you)!
Young singles and families are looking for a group of peers to do life with. The Elders are proposing that we call a fourth pastor to minister to young adults. 80% of our Discovery Classes in the last five years have been over 50. We desire to do better in passing on our faith to the next generation.
Four Ways to Pass On Your Faith:
“O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.” Psalm 78:1. Passing on your faith starts with listening to God and others. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” —James 1:19-20
Bridging the generational divide requires extra effort at listening. A faster, more stressful pace of living has led to less time in church (1.4 times per month on average). We must be more diligent in creating attractive opportunities to spend meaningful time together.
“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things from of old – what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” —Psalm 78:2-4
Tell stories of how God has worked in your life. If you want to impact the next generation, they need to see your heart. Of particular importance is how you worked thru your disappointments with God. Be vulnerable. Let them see your emotions.
“He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.” —Psalm 78:5-6
At our worship services, we give to God our praise, prayers, and tithes. We receive teaching, encouragement, and exhortation from God’s Word. This is vital to our spiritual health as you can’t pass on what you don’t have.
“Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4
Pass on your faith to your social circle by making the Bible come alive.
“All things work together for good to those who love God.” —Roman’s 8:28
Show others how this has happened in your life.
“Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds, but would keep his commands. They would not be like their forefathers – a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.” —Psalm 78:7-8
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —I Corinthians 13:6-8
In previous centuries, social services were non-existent. Families cared for each other with special attention devoted to the vulnerable.
The next decade can be our shining moment as a church! Screens, sports, and amusements have left a void deep in our hearts.
“Evangelicals have a long history of adaptation and the future will be bright for those who take the Bible seriously and believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord.” (Leith Anderson). There is greater hunger and thirst for authentic Christian community than ever before. At Heartland, we desire to offer attractive opportunities to young and old to build genuine, Christ-centered community. Will you join us in doing this?