What She Said Part 13 - Week 4 - Tell the Next Generation
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Dear Friends,
I have always been struck by the inclusion of “those not yet born” in God’s call to His people to “go and tell” about His faithfulness. Sadly, we live in a culture that has not only forgotten God’s instructions to “remember” His love and faithfulness but also to pass on to the next generation the stories of His character, unconditional love, and call to repentance and reconciliation through Jesus, His son. Instead, we sometimes use religion or the threat of God’s punishment in an attempt to coerce children to embrace morality, obedience, good behavior (as we define it) and our faith. God’s Word gives us another pathway. Consider these scriptures:
We will not hide these truths from our children; We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. So the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – and they in turn will teach their own children.
Psalm 78, 4, 7
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
Psalm 145:4, NLT
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children…
Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up
Deuteronomy 11:8, 19 NIV
Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.
Psalm 102:18-22 ESV
This week, we will hear from Katie Flores, Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church in America’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. Katie reflects her passion to obey God’s command to tell the next generation and those not yet born as she develops and reviews resources to help those who work with children and youth. Katie also conducts training for church leaders, staff, and volunteers. Her devotions reflect some of the teaching moments of her work and interaction with children.
In Tuesday’s devotional, Katie encourages us:
“Are you recounting God's faithfulness to you? We can look for ways to praise the Lord in our hearts and minds, but also as we share God's wondrous works in our lives with the next generation. If you've got children or grandchildren, write down the stories. Tell the stories where God showed up for you. Are there children in your church? Relate to them the stories of Scripture as you weave in stories from your own life. Show how one Scripture passage reminds you of another and even helps you understand it better. Our great God is the same throughout all generations!
Charles Spurgeon wrote in his commentary on the Psalms, "It is the occupation of every true believer to rehearse the great doings of his great God." I love that word, rehearse. To rehearse means to practice again and again. That is what the Israelites did when they celebrated the Passover year after year. We rehearse the great doings of our God as we gather in corporate worship each week.”
Many thanks to Marlys Roos, one of our guest writers, who introduced me to Katie. And thank you, Katie, for reminding us of the privilege of remembering and sharing God’s faithfulness with the next generation.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
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PRAYER
Father, may we take great joy in “remembering and rehearsing” your faithfulness and recognize it as a simple but powerful way to invite the next generation to taste and see that you are good.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.