Merge Lesson 1
Raising the Next Generation of
Spiritual Leaders
Oct. 24
Think About It …
• What are some ways we define “success” for
our children as they are growing up?
• Today we will look at greatness or success in
the context of the Kingdom … service,
humility, generosity, etc.
We look at the question of who will be
responsible to raise this kind of spiritual leaders.
Listen for parental responsibility
spelled out.
Genesis 18:18-19 (NIV) Abraham will surely
become a great and powerful nation, and all
nations on earth will be blessed through him.
[19] For I have chosen him, so that he will direct
his children and his household after him to keep
the way of the Lord by doing what is right and
just, so that the Lord will bring about for
Abraham what he has promised him."
Abraham
• According to these verses, for what purpose
did God choose Abraham?
• Now, listen for a lesson that Abraham’s son
learned.
Listen for a lesson that Abraham’s son
learned.
Genesis 22:12-18 (NIV) "Do not lay a hand on
the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him.
Now I know that you fear God, because you
have not withheld from me your son, your only
son." [13] Abraham looked up and there in a
thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He
went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a
burnt offering instead of his son.
Listen for a lesson that Abraham’s son
learned.
[14] So Abraham called that place The Lord Will
Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the
mountain of the Lord it will be provided." [15]
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from
heaven a second time [16] and said, "I swear by
myself, declares the Lord, that because you have
done this and have not withheld your son, your
only son,
Listen for a lesson that Abraham’s son
learned.
[17] I will surely bless you and make your
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as the sand on the seashore. Your
descendants will take possession of the cities of
their enemies, [18] and through your offspring
all nations on earth will be blessed, because you
have obeyed me."
Abraham
• Abraham had obeyed God by being ready to
sacrifice the son God had promised him. How
did God supply a substitute sacrifice?
• This was a test of Abraham’s faith … not a test
so God would know about Abraham, rather a
test for Abraham to know. What lessons did
Abraham learn through this experience?
Abraham
• What lessons do you think Isaac learned?
• How does God sometimes test our faith?
• What do both we and our children learn
through these situations?
Listen for how God’s truths are to be
transferred.
Psalm 78:1-7 (NIV) A maskil of Asaph. O my
people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of
my mouth. [2] I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-- [3]
what we have heard and known, what our
fathers have told us. [4] We will not hide them
from their children; we will tell the next
generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
Listen for how God’s truths are to be
transferred.
his power, and the wonders he has done. [5] He
decreed statutes for Jacob and established the
law in Israel, which he commanded our
forefathers to teach their children, [6] so the
next generation would know them, even the
children yet to be born, and they in turn would
tell their children. [7] Then they would put their
trust in God and would not forget his deeds but
would keep his commands.
Asaph, a Psalmist
• How were people to learn about God?
• What kinds of things were to be taught?
• What would be the results of learning these
things?
• What kinds of things did you learn about God
from your parents and grandparents?
Listen for the type of ministry Elijah
and John the Baptist would have.
Malachi 4:4-6 (NIV) "Remember the law of my
servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him
at Horeb for all Israel. [5] "See, I will send you
the prophet Elijah before that great and
dreadful day of the Lord comes. [6] He will turn
the hearts of the fathers to their children, and
the hearts of the children to their
Listen for the type of ministry Elijah
and John the Baptist would have.
fathers; or else I will come and strike the land
with a curse.” … Speaking of John the Baptist,
Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord, in
the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts
of the fathers to their children and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to
make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Elijah and John the Baptist
• So what would be the nature of the ministry
of these men?
• What do you think it means to turn the hearts
of the fathers to their children?
• What are some ways parents and
grandchildren can turn disobedient children
(grandchildren) to the “wisdom of the
righteous”?
Elijah and John the Baptist
• Why do you think God gave this task to
parents (and grandparents)? Why not school,
government? Why not church?
• Why do you think parents don’t accept the
mandate from the Bible that they teach them
about the Lord?
Elijah and John the Baptist
• What steps can you take to become the leader
God means you to be?
• Why is it helpful to include grandparents
(even substitute “grandparents”) in some of
these roles?
Application
• This week put these concepts into practice at
home – lead spiritually.
– Inside the Welcome Guide this morning you will
find a “Faith Talk” that you can use with your
family.
– Set aside sometime this week to sit down with
your family and lead them through this discussion.
Application
• This morning your students are being taught
the same lesson that you just heard
– They are going to expect you to lead them in this
way
– As your child’s Spiritual Leader to begin to
intentionally influence them for the Lord.
Application
• Ask God what steps can you take to become
the leader God means you to be.
– Embrace the Challenge– Willingly accept this
responsibility
– Learn the Truth – Develop a biblical world
view…you can’t “transfer” what you don’t own
– Take Up the Task – Don’t accept “I can’t”,
remember “You must”
– Pray for Power – We are not alone! God Himself
empowers you through the Holy Spirit
Merge Lesson 1
Raising the Next Generation of
Spiritual Leaders
Oct. 24