STUDY GUIDE – Let’s Get This Right

Icebreaker: Who is your favorite child or adolescent/young person in the bible, and why are they your favorite?

Sermon Title: Generation to generation – “Let’s Get This Right” – 2 Kings 16 – 20 & Mark 10:13-16

Group Discussion:

Research reveals that the US population has a median age of 39, yet 54% of active adult church members are 60 years old or older. What are some possible reasons for such a gap between the median age of our general population and the ages of those attending church? What does this reveal about the challenge of engaging younger generations so that they can experience the blessings of belonging to a body of believers?

Read Mark 10:13-14 – God’s plan is for us to help the next generations to be lifelong followers Jesus. What does this passage teach us about the role we have in guiding the next generation toward faith? Discuss practical ways we should model a faith that is both appealing and authentic? What are some practical ways we can intentionally invest in young people’s spiritual growth (i.e., in our families, church, and community)?

Read Matthew 21:15-16 & Mark 10:15 – God’s plan is for the next generation to help us be lifelong followers of Jesus. How can we, as older believers, learn from the fresh perspectives and energy of the next generation to renew and deepen our own commitment to following Jesus throughout our lives? Discuss ways we can learn from the younger generation to cultivate humility, trust, and a childlike faith in our own journeys.

Read Mark 10:45 – Mt. Gilead must be mission driven rather than member driven and Master driven rather than me driven. This verse reminds us to be driven by Jesus’ examples and a Jessus-centered mentality. How can this model of servant leadership influence the way we invest in and mentor the next generation?

Research suggests that getting involved/serving are great on-ramps for getting people connected. Discuss steps that we can take to empower and equip younger people to serve and lead in the church. Also, consider how you, or your group, can help make a difference as we progress through this sermon series encouraging young people to engage with a body of believers?

Spiritual Discipline: Review our resources for this series at: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources

Action Steps: Do some research this week to identify some young bible heroes. Look for young people who showed faith, courage, and obedience demonstrating how the Lord can use anyone, regardless of age, for His purposes. List their names, where their stories are found in the bible, why you think they are heroes, and then share their story with a young person in your life as encouragement. For example, some scholars estimate Daniel was around 15-17 years old when he was taken to Babylon.