How can we effectively "tell to the next generation" God's works today? The Call Stated Clearly “Things we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us” (Psalm 78:3). The psalmist reminds us that every generation receives a sacred deposit of truth. We are stewards, not owners, and our task is simple: pass it on—accurately, passionately, and without dilution. Start with Personal Conviction • We can only relay what we ourselves “have heard and known.” • Immerse heart and mind in God’s works recorded in Scripture—creation (Genesis 1–2), the Exodus (Exodus 14), the resurrection (Matthew 28). These are real events, not fables. • Marvel first, then speak. Genuine wonder is contagious. Keep Scripture Central • God’s Word is living and complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Quote it freely; its own power convinces. • Tell the stories as God told them—literal, historical, and authoritative. • Pair narratives with doctrine: for example, link Noah’s flood (Genesis 7) with 2 Peter 3:5-7 to show God’s consistent dealings with sin and salvation. Speak the Whole Narrative • Highlight God’s character—His holiness, justice, mercy, and steadfast love. • Show the scarlet thread of redemption from Genesis to Revelation (Luke 24:27). • Celebrate God’s works in church history and in personal testimonies, yet always anchor back to the biblical record. Use Every Available Platform • Around the table (Deuteronomy 6:7) • Bedtime and morning routines • Church gatherings, youth groups, Bible clubs • Digital spaces—podcasts, short videos, social media posts saturated with Scripture • Service projects where the gospel is explained as the motive Model What You Tell • Live lives that confirm the message (Philippians 2:15). • Repent quickly, forgive freely, worship openly—let the next generation see applied truth. • Invite younger believers into real-life moments of prayer, study, and decision-making. Create Rhythms of Remembrance • Annual celebrations: Passover pointed Israel back; the Lord’s Supper points us to the cross (1 Corinthians 11:26). • Story nights: retell biblical accounts and family testimonies of answered prayer. • Scripture memory challenges and songs—music fastens truth to the heart. Guard Against Forgetfulness Psalm 78 shows that forgetting breeds rebellion (vv. 10-11). Fight amnesia by: • Regular reading plans • Visual reminders—Scripture art, screen savers, verse cards • Shared accountability within families and congregations Empower the Next Generation to Retell • Encourage children and students to teach peers—Sunday school skits, youth-led devotionals. • Provide solid resources: age-appropriate Bibles, apologetics materials, biographies of faithful believers. • Celebrate when they recount God’s works in their own words; fan that spark into flame. The Result God Desires “We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has done” (Psalm 78:4). When we faithfully tell, future sons and daughters grow up rooted, ready to stand firm and keep the chain unbroken until Christ returns. |
    |