Practical Lessons for Understanding the Word of God
Touching the Hearts of the
Next Generation KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 78:1-8 | SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Psalm 37:4-7; Proverbs 22:6; John 14:6; Ephesians 6:1-4
of the Scriptures so the parents taught Gods truths
SUMMARY verbally from one generation to the next. Today we Christians are under a divine obligation to have the Holy Bible, the infallible, eternal Word of God teach the next generation the truth of Gods in which is written everything we need to know about Word so they will understand that they are the Lord and His instructions to us. His children, know that He has a plan for their lives, and be equipped to face life. The Divine Obligation This pattern of instruction should continue without Like the Israelites, we too have been entrusted with a gap from one generation to the next. Parents, in the responsibility to teach by instruction and example particular, have the responsibility to introduce their the truth of Gods Word, which results in a desire to children to the Lord. walk obediently before the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit. Since both instruction and example are SERMON POINTS necessary, we must have consistency between what we say and what we do if we hope to pass down Gods The writer of Psalm 78 describes how Gods truth truths to the next generation. should be passed down from one generation to n Our instruction should include the principles of the next. Gods Word that we have read, learned, and lived n Tell to the generation to come the praises of the out in our own livesin other words, our personal Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works testimony. And like the Old Testament saints, that He has done (v. 4). we must also teach our children who God is, what n For He established a testimony in Jacob and He has done, and how He expects us to live. But appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded instruction alone is not enough; we must also teach our fathers that they should teach them to their them by example how to obey the Lord. children (v. 5). n Although we may feel as if we dont know enough n That the generation to come might know, even to pass on scriptural truths, we all have a story the children yet to be born, that they may arise and to tell. First of all, everyone whos been saved by tell them to their children (v. 6). the grace of God understands whats required for n That they should put their confidence in God salvation. And as we read the Bible, we should share and not forget the works of God, but keep His what we are learning. Furthermore, we can explain commandments (v. 7). how the Lord has worked in our lives by protecting, At the time this psalm was written, the Bible had not providing, encouraging, and helping us through yet been completed. As the words of Moses in Genesis lifes hardships and pain. through Deuteronomy were taught to the people, they n Christian parents cannot entrust this divine were expected to pass down information about the obligation to someone else. Ephesians 6:4 says, Lord to their children. They didnt have written copies Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
SERMON NOTES | SN161009
but bring them up in the discipline and instruction n We are living in spiritually dangerous times of the Lord. We dont have to be well-educated or and must take a stand for truth to protect our seminary-trained to fulfill this assignment. Simply children. In the 1960s, immorality and the pursuit reading the Bible to our children and assuring them of success and wealth were promoted, and by that Gods Word is true will be effective. the 1970s many parents had lost their children to n The state of our culture makes this divine rebellion against God. Ever since then law and obligation even more critical. The world our order, and love and respect for one another have children inhabit is full of errors, dangers, and degenerated. If Gods people do not take a stand, distractions that could lead them away from Christ. the culture will continue this downward trend. The Todays technology can be used to promote the line of testimony from faithful witnesses for Christ gospel, but it also distracts young people from cannot be taken for granted, nor should it be whats truly important. ignored. Providing for our children doesnt merely include physical needs, material possessions, and n We have many ways to teach the next education. The most important thing we can do for generation. We should begin with our own them is to train them in the way they should go so beliefs and life experiences, but theres also value they can live godly lives (Prov. 22:6). in passing down what weve learned about the Lord from our parents and grandparents. The n The task is not too big for us because we have key is diligence. We cant afford to let teaching the Holy Spirit living within us. He will guide our opportunities pass just because we feel inadequate. steps, help us understand Gods Word, and show Although Sunday schools are important, they us how to reach the next generation. As we open should never be a substitute for parental the Bible, we will become more familiar with it, responsibility. our faith in the Lord will increase, well learn His truths, and our lives will be changed. There are n Grounding our children in scriptural truth is many searching, unsettled, and dissatisfied people especially important as they head off to school. who desperately need to hear what almighty God Because we live in an anti-God environment today, can do in a life, and we have a testimony to share we cannot rely on teachers and professors to teach with them. truth. Although there are many teachers who love the Lord, secular education systems hinder them from talking about spiritual things. God has RESPONSE given us the responsibility to teach our children n What obstacles might be keeping you from teaching to discern between truth and error so theyll be the next generation about the Lord through prepared to go out into the world. If we dont example and instruction? courageously stand up for the truth of Scripture, n Think about your testimony and what you could our children and grandchildren may drown in share with someone younger. What have you secularism and unbelief. learned in Gods Word? How has He worked in n We must talk to our children about spiritual your life? matters. Since our society is disinterested in the things of God, the most loving thing we can do for our children is to discuss spiritual truths with them. We should ask them what they are learning in school and what they believe about spiritual matters. Its our responsibility to teach them that To purchase this message on CD or DVD, God is the Creator, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is please visit store.intouch.org or call 1-800-789-1473. the only way of salvation (John 14:6). To download these Sermon Notes, visit intouch.org/sermonnotes
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"Beneficial Speech in Establishing The Evidences of Tawhid" - 'Al-Qawl-Ul - Mufeed Fee Adillatit-Tawhid' by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhab Al-Wasabee (May Allah Preserve Him)