At my church this past Sunday, we opened the book of Judges and were reminded of a sobering reality: “There arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10). The Israelites had witnessed God’s mighty acts—yet somehow failed to pass the wonder of His faithfulness on to their children. And the culture spiraled.
That warning echoes across time, and it lands squarely in our laps today. The call to raise children who know and love the Lord isn’t one we can outsource. It’s a God-given responsibility—one entrusted not primarily to pastors or Sunday school teachers, but to you, their parents.
So how do we respond?
1. Take intentional steps at home.
This summer, why not commit to family discipleship with a resource that speaks directly to your children? Our middle school ministry is recommending 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity—a fantastic conversation-starter for older kids and teens. For younger ages, there are countless simple devotionals or Bible storybooks that can open the door to meaningful dialogue. If you need help finding the right fit, we’d love to help.
2. Serve alongside us.
The church is here to support your family, but we also need you. Our children’s and student ministries are growing—and that’s a good thing! But we need faithful volunteers to come alongside and help lead the next generation. Could this be your season to step in? When you serve, you’re not just covering a classroom—you’re shaping a life.
If you’re already attending the 9:00 service, consider switching to the 10:30 to make space for new families. Or better yet, try the “Sit One, Serve One” rhythm—serve during the first service, and attend worship during the second. (And yes, your kids are welcome to enjoy both hours in children’s ministry!)
3. Don’t let this generation pass without knowing.
Our prayer is that there will not be a generation in our church who grows up unaware of the goodness of God. But that only happens if all of us—together—commit to showing them.
Let’s not repeat the pattern of Judges. Let’s raise up a generation who knows the Lord, who trusts in His Word, and who follows Him wholeheartedly.
“Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.” (Joel 1:3).