Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
God invites us into a relationship with Him and gives us instructions on how to live in His ways. One of these instructions is to teach the younger generation the same truth that we have known, recognised, and understood. This crucial principle extends beyond self-preservation; it’s a call to become torchbearers of faith. We are to pass on the knowledge and love of God to future generations so that they, too, may worship Him and obey His commands.
Remember, God’s invitation to a relationship isn’t confined to one era. Generations past received His truth, recognised His power, and understood His love. Now, we’re entrusted with the same responsibility: to share with those younger than us, who will, in turn, share with their children, and so on. Why is this crucial? Deuteronomy 11:18-20 paints a vivid picture:
Therefore you shall lay up these My words in your [minds and] hearts and in your [entire] being, and bind them for a sign upon your hands and as forehead bands between your eyes. And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 AMPC
It’s undeniable that God has blessed us through the ages with faithful torchbearers. They carried the gospel like an inextinguishable flame, illuminating new generations. However, the need for such people is more urgent than ever. Many pulpits today lack the true word of God. Sometimes, they echo comedy and motivational speeches instead of the transformative truth of the gospel. The gospel that brought us salvation is now irrelevant. What was once life-giving now risks becoming outdated, fading from our collective memory.
The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. After that, the whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
Judges 2:7, 10 NIV
This passage shows the tragic consequence of failing to teach the next generation about God. Without the knowledge passed down, the next generation floundered. The Israelites who had witnessed God’s wonders died without passing on their faith to their children and grandchildren. As a result, a new generation arose who did not know God or His works. Without the knowledge passed down, the next generation floundered. They couldn’t replicate the faith witnessed, nor did they worship God or follow His laws.
This begs the question: what of the future? In a world increasingly devoid of spiritual anchors, will future generations have anyone to stand for the truth, come what may?
The answer lies within each of us, particularly those blessed with the knowledge of Christ. We are the parents, mentors, and role models entrusted with rekindling the flame of faith within our families and communities. Therefore, we must not let this happen in our time. We must tell the younger generations about the God who created the heavens and the earth, who loves us and sent His Son to die for our sins, who rose again and is coming back to judge the world. They must know about God’s grace and mercy to those who repent and believe. We must tell them about the joy and peace He gives those who trust and obey Him.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV
Furthermore, we must not only tell them but also show them. As torchbearers, we must live out our faith in our words and actions, homes and workplaces, churches, and communities. We must model what it means to love God and love our neighbours, to serve God and serve others, to worship God and witness for Him.
Additionally, we must pray for them, too. For God to open their eyes and hearts to see and receive His truth. Likewise, we must pray that God would protect them from the lies and temptations of the enemy. We must pray that God would empower them by His Spirit to live for His glory.
Although we do not know what the future holds, we know who holds the future. We do not know how long we have here on earth, but we know we have a heavenly inheritance waiting for us. We do not know what challenges and opportunities the younger generations will face, but we know that God will be with them and help them.
Therefore, let’s not be the generation that forgets what our eyes have seen or allows the truth to fade. Let’s be the torchbearers who illuminate the path for those who follow, ensuring that the gospel’s light continues to shine brightly through the ages. We have a great privilege and responsibility to share the gospel with those who come after us. Let us do it with passion and diligence, trusting that God will use our efforts for His glory and their good.
