SERMON SUMMARY

Here at Fellowship Greenville, we have made the next generation a priority. You may not know this but in 2013, we made the decision to move to a NextGen model of ministry. This meant that our ministries focused on kids, and students would work together as one team. We also added a family ministry component to help focus on resourcing and equipping families because we believe that parents are the primary nurturers of their child’s faith. You don’t have to spend much time in your Bible to realize that investing in the next generation is God’s idea. In Deuteronomy, God instructed Moses to tell the people to continually teach their children about his goodness. God told Joshua to set up stones of remembrance so the next generation would not forget how he rescued them and when the prophet Joel wanted the work of God to not be forgotten, he said in Joel 1:3, “Tell your sons about it, and let your sons tell their sons, and their sons the next generation.” Investing in the next generation is clearly God’s idea.

SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:13-16

SERMON SCREENSHOTS & KEY POINTS

The first thing we learn from the life of Timothy is:

Timothy was taught the truth of God’s Word at a young age.

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Our children and our children’s children will face a future much different from ours and they will need the truth that gives wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. So…

Our opportunity to invest in the next generation is to teach our children from a young age the truth of God’s Word.

Here are some key ideas to focus on to help train our children.

• Help your children build faith by teaching them what the Bible says about how to view God and how to view the world.
• Help your children build faith by teaching them what the Bible says about how to view themselves.
• Help your children build faith by teaching them what the Bible says about how to view others.

Timothy came from a legacy of faith handed down from the generations before him.

“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure it is in you as well.” 2 Timothy 1:5

We have an opportunity to invest in the next generation by leaving a legacy of faith for our children.

God used other people besides his family to disciple Timothy.

We all have an opportunity to invest in the next generation through discipleship and mentoring.

We have the opportunity to invest in the next generation by serving in FG Kids or FG Students.

Investing in the next generation is God’s idea but it is our responsibility.

*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.

Consider using some of the Core Value discussion questions from the values of Loving Others and Understanding Scripture.

• What do we learn from the life of Timothy about investing in the next generation?
• What key truths does Scripture teach us about how to view God and how to view the world?
• What does Scripture teach us about how we view ourselves? Where do you struggle to believe this?
• How did Jesus model how to view others? How does that change the way you view others?
• How has it been difficult for you to pass these truths on to the next generation?
• In order to steward well the Biblical truth you have received, who has the Lord given you to share this truth with?
• If God is calling all of us to invest in the next generation, what does it look like for you to invest?

Pray for the next generation and for our investment in their hearts and minds.