By Tom Shanklin

“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” Psalms 145:4, KJV.

One of the greatest responsibilities we have is to reach the next generations for the Lord.

If we do not give our faith away to the next generation, it will die with us. At one point in Israel’s history, it is written, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10, KJV.

I have seen the failure of the church in England to reach the next generation, and as a result hundreds of churches have closed, as the older generation died off. The average age of churchgoers in the Church of England now is 61 years old. We are seeing the same pattern in many churches in America. We need make it our earnest business to reach the next generation, and to let them know the great and mighty things which the Lord has done.

We need all the generations. Each age group is essential. Each has something to contribute. Some of the younger folks in the church don’t value the older ones, which is a great mistake. The older ones have much wisdom to add to the mix of fellowship in our local churches.

On the other side of it, some of the older folks don’t recognize the value the younger generation. The thinking of the 20, 30 and 40-somethings is just a little different, and some of the older folks can’t make a connection. The children and teens, too, may be undervalued and all too often segregated, so that the older folks can have a “more meaningful” worship experience.

Notice Jesus’ attitude toward involving the younger generation, “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:13, 14, NKJV.

Some churches have endeavored to reach the younger generations by being “cool” or “relevant” having a certain style of music, etc., but God is looking for a multi-generational family. The Apostle Paul said, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14, 15, KJV. God is interested in the “whole family”—young, old, and in between.

Sometimes, the Church makes the mistake of valuing the young people, and subtly devaluing the old. By involving all the generations in the life of the Church, we really have an opportunity to provide much-needed relationships between the people of different ages..

We have developed too much segmentation to the age groups in the church. We have children’s church, youth group, young moms, seniors, young adults, etc. These all have their place, but honestly, we need more opportunities for the generations to connect and fellowship together. Some churches have wisely started inter-generational Bible studies, Sunday School classes, and have given the young people opportunity to contribute to the classes.

I read recently that 70 percent of the people raised in church leave the church in their 20s and never come back. Could it be that they were connected only to the youth group and when they became too old for the youth group, they no longer had a connection to the church?

We need to pray and ask the Lord for strategies to reach and keep the younger generations. The Lord gave me three thoughts—reach them, give them the Gospel, and teach them.

1. REACH THEM. Don’t allow the younger generations to be separate from the body. Reach them. Look for creative ways to connect the generations. Have more inter-generational classes, small groups and events. Endeavor to foster healthy one-on-one fellowship and mentoring between the generations.

Endeavor to have the various generations involved in ministry, such as praise and worship, ushering, greeting. prayer team, and other areas of service in the church.

2. GIVE THEM THE GOSPEL. The young people in our churches need to have the Gospel proclaimed to them and need to have an opportunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. One of the saddest times for me is when I am about to preach the Gospel in a church service, and all the young people are dismissed just before my message. Why would you take the most receptive church members out of the service just as the Gospel is about to be proclaimed?

Make use of the evangelistic gifts in the Church, too. Have someone gifted in evangelism speak to the children in Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Youth Group or Children’s Church, and give an invitation to receive Christ.

3. TEACH THEM. Jesus said to go into all the world and teach all nations. That includes children and teens. Thank God for fun events, ministry outings, pizza parties … but someone also needs to open their Bible and teach the young people to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Train your children and youth workers how to present the Gospel and give them guidance for teaching the Word, making disciples, and raising up new leaders.

Some have watered down the message in an effort to make Christianity more palatable to the younger generations. But this tactic is ineffective for making disciples and reaching the next generation. God is a holy and powerful God, and He always will be. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It’s only the true Word of God which will produce new births in the Church and cause people to grow up in Christ. We will lose those who are not built on the solid rock of God’s Word.

Of course, the primary responsibility for discipling young people is upon the parents. The church can help by encouraging parents to raise up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

I believe that we need a release of creativity in our churches and ministries on how to reach the next generations and to work together with them. What strategies do you have?