Romans 12:1-2
“And do not be conformed
to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing
of your mind…”
A Needed Renewal
Something Christians can and must do
Constant challenge to accept worldly values
Continue with series designed to help us
“Renew Our Minds” as text instructs
Renewing our minds must be intentional, with
forethought – since world is constantly filling
our minds with secular, material, worldly,
carnal material.
Let us “Renew our Minds”
A Renewed Mind Needs Discipline
• “To give instruction; to guide; to lead”
 Teaching is discipline: Bible is basic need
Ps. 78:1-8; 119:105
 Failure is obvious: rebellion, back-talk;
disrespect; lazy, indulged (go to mall)
 Parents must be in control to teach
 Start early; “too late” comes too soon
Eph 6:1-4 We have lost a generation!
 Past mistakes may still be corrected
“Renewed Minds” Must Influence
Next Generation
Don’t assume children know what I know
 Godly principles must be taught
 Deut 6:4-9; 11:18-19

“Hear,
O Israel”
“..teach them
diligently to thy
children”
Moses’ Charge To Israel
• Jewish “Shema” (“Hear”)
• Daily Reminder: Morning & Evening
Service
• Asserts Total Commitment to One
Jehovah
• Additional Intent: Dedication of Israel &
children - Passing the knowledge to
future generations Eph. 6:1-4
• Not ritualism, but real piety Mt 23:5
Have We Done This – Diligently?
• Name all the books of the Bible
• Name the apostles
• Quote John 3:16
• Give scripture for the plan of salvation
• Locate Bible books without index
• Tell Bible stories of Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Joseph, David, Rahab, Sarah,
Ruth, Mary & Joseph
•Find important Bible truths
Passing The Torch
• Glory of Olympic Games –
Torch as a Symbol
• Important Not To Drop or Fail To Pass It
• Flame To Be Lit For Future Generations
• Importance of Teaching Future
Generations 2 Tim. 1:5
• Preparation for Timothy’s service –
Grandmother, Mother, Timothy
Our Actions Influence Generations Yet Unborn
We Fail To Appreciate Teaching Children
Christian
1
Has Children
3
Marries
2
Total in family
5
Faithful
2
G-Children
9
Unfaithful
0
Total in family
14
Great G-Children 27
Total in family
41
41 People: Your Descendants - Faithful or Unfaithful
Whose Children Are These?
• Liberal Thought “It Takes A Village”
• Absentee Parent “Schools Are Responsible”
• Absentee Christian “Let Church Do It”
• Lois & Eunice “My son, Timothy”
• Classes At Home, read, study, instruct
• Next Generation teachers, elders, preachers
• A Prepared Vessel, Ready for God…Paul
• Must not wait until the need arises – too late –
Make preparation ahead for the later need
If Paul Came To This Congregation
Tonight….
• Would there be a Timothy waiting?
• Have to start 3 generations back!
• Would there be a next generation?
• What are “we” doing about it?
 Homes like Lois & Eunice
 Do we have the vision to see the need?
 Do we have will power to plan, carry out?
•Count Your Generations: Faithful/Unfaithful
Can’t Go Back & Change Past
• Must Begin Here - Now – Today
 Understand the Need
 Use God’s Wisdom Dt 6; Eph 6
 “Bring Up A Child..” Prov. 22:6
 Your Faith Will Save No One Else
 Children Must Realize Their Own Faith
-“Genuine faith” in Timothy
• Implications of Faith Jn 8:24; Heb. 11:6
Where Do We Begin in Renewal?
The “older generation” has had many
opportunities to learn this process
 Are we preparing the next generation to be
able to “renew their minds?”
 Our appeal today is to the younger
generation to accept the blessing in having a
renewed mind.
 What are some things involved in preparing
another generation?

Renewed Young People Need a Renewed Home
• Children become what they see & hear
 I saw tomorrow look at me
Through little children’s eyes
And thought how carefully we would
teach
If we were really wise
 Are parents too busy to teach?
 Too busy to give proper discipline?
 Too impressed with material goods?
Never Forget the Goal
Preparing the church for tomorrow
 Preparing the young for maturity
 We need more Bible teachers
 We need faithful members in the pew
 We need preachers, elders, deacons
 Are we failing to pass the torch?
 Are we losing our children to the world?
 Before it is too late, let us “renew our
minds” and “Be transformed”
