Icebreaker: Have you had someone in your life whose actions taught you more than their words ever could?
Sermon Title: Generation to generation – “Old School”
Group Discussion:
Read Matthew 4:18-20 – Calling: Jesus called his first disciples, who were likely teenagers. “Children are not a distraction from more important work; they are the most important work” (C.S. Lewis). How might these verses and Lewis’ quote shape our perspective on investing in the next generation? Discuss how we might also adjust our approach to mentoring and discipling the next generation.
Read Matthew 16:13-16 – Challenging: Who do you say Jesus is? As we disciple the next generation, how can we frame this same question for their consideration? For instance, how we can challenge them to recognize Jesus as their Savior, rather than just adopting our beliefs? Discuss ways we can help them feel empowered and unrestricted to wrestle with and embrace their own faith in Jesus?
Read Matthew 16:17-19 – The Church belongs to Jesus who said: “I will build my church…” How can we help the next generation understand that the Church belongs to Jesus and that they have a vital role to play in its future? If you are a member of the next generation, what unique role do you currently play? Or, when you were a part of the younger generation, what role did you play and what would you have done differently?
Read Matthew 28:18-20 – Commissioning: Jesus calls us to send the next generation into the world as disciples. What steps can we take to equip the next generation with the courage and tools they will need to make disciples. And what does it mean to “make disciple makers” rather than simply making disciples. Discuss strategies for how we can pursue this style of reciprocal discipleship and multiplication.
Read Deuteronomy 6:5-7 & Proverbs 3:1-2 – We should raise up the next generation to love Jesus, to love others, and to serve the Lord persistently. A recent statistic revealed that 64% of young Christians disengage from the church after the age of 18. Share your own experience during that stage of life and discuss ways we can help young people overcome this challenge and stay engaged.
Spiritual Discipline: Review our resources for this series at: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources
Action Steps: (1) Model Jesus-Centered Behavior: Demonstrate the values and character of Jesus in your daily life, understanding that your actions speak louder than words in shaping the next generation, (2) Be Authentic and Relatable: Build trust by being transparent and vulnerable, showing that following Jesus is a journey, rather than a perfect path, and (3) Invest in Relationships: Prioritize meaningful, consistent relationships with those you mentor, allowing your life to naturally disciple them through shared experiences and intentional guidance.