Bible Passage: “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord…” (Psalm 78:4 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:2
Rodney Dangerfield’s iconic “I don’t get no respect” continually comes to mind as I get older.
When did calling adults “Mister” and “Sir” get replaced by “Bruh” and “Fam”?
The more you look into it, the more you realize that the old and the young naturally come into conflict.
In 1951, a Scottish newspaper published an alarming story about how young people were too quick to take the bus, saying, “Many young people are so pampered nowadays they have forgotten that there was such a thing as walking.”
You might say the same thing about electric bikes and scooters today.
Go back further, and in 1858, the Scientific American published concerns that too many young people were playing chess, “a mere amusement of a very inferior character.”
More than a few mobile games come to mind as a modern equivalent!
Aristotle himself, in the 4th century, wrote that young people “think they know everything, and are always quite sure about it.”
It’s easy to forget that we were once young. And the wisdom we’ve gained actually came from hard-won, uncomfortable experiences over many years and decades—time that youth haven’t had.
But when I feel like younger people don’t appreciate my experience, the 10-year-old on my soccer team isn’t listening to my instructions, a nephew that calls me “bruh” instead of “sir”—it’s important to remember young hearts yearn to know that they are worthy of love, created with intention by a good Creator who has given them a calling.
How can we help? Complaining isn’t the answer.
It’s being faithful and courageous in sharing our testimony. Our story of faith and redemption is our gift to the next generation.
Faith is meant to move forward!
This week, we will look at how a man (father or not) can strengthen the next generation. A young person doesn’t need perfection to look up to; they need proof. They need to see someone who has walked through hardship, wrestled with doubt, failed, gotten back up, and continued hard after God.
Whether you’re a father, a coach, a mentor, an uncle, a teacher, a friend, or simply a veteran believer with someone younger in your orbit, your words and example matter more than you realize.
Don’t keep your testimony to yourself. Someone behind you may need the exact story God has given you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the ways You have worked in my life, even through failures and difficult seasons. Give me the courage to share the testimony You’ve given me. Give me the courage to share stories and proof of Your faithfulness with the next generation. Let my life point people toward You. Amen.
Reflection: Today, ask yourself: Who is one person in the next generation I can intentionally encourage with my testimony this week?
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