Our students leave for camp today. I remember those days at camp – all the activities, the experience of being away, the study and fun. I remember the songs sung around campfires. One song in particular stands out, showing my age I suppose, but still true today – Pass It On.
I have heard it said that Christianity is always one generation away from extinction. I think that is true. I trust that God will not cease to interact with mankind due to our inadequacy, but I also know that God’s plan for the redemption of mankind includes our faithfulness. We are commanded – not asked nicely but commanded – to make disciples in Matthew 28. Deuteronomy 6 is clear that we are to pass on our faith to the next generation. Here is what it says:
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
This passage begins with the Shema, one of the pivotal doctrinal statements of Judaism, as well as Christianity. And then it directs us to share our beliefs with the next generation.
Psalm 145 clearly points us to the importance of sharing our faith as well. In verses 4-7, the author describes this process.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
He uses words like commend, speak, tell and celebrate. The message is clear. We are to pass on our understanding and faith to the next generation. This process begins at home. Share your faith with your children and their children. Then take that same motivation for others to know Jesus into the world.
This is not a recommendation or a request. This is a mandate.
Who will you tell about Jesus and the difference he has made in your life?
Start today.
time taking in the grandeur of God’s creation.
ve that when I stand before God’s people each week, I will have nothing of value to say if I have not spent time with God the week before. So we started with that idea.
as focused on sermon preparation, I heard a loud bump on my window followed by another. I knew what had happened – a bird had flown into the glass. So I got up to inspect the area outside my window expecting to find a bird laying dazed on the roof. Instead, what I found was a bird sitting nonchalantly on my window sill as if it was a normal day in its little life. It seemed fine but it caused me to wonder why the bird had flown into my window – not once but twice.
Clay in the Hands 