Teaching the Next Generation how to fight
If you are anything like me, the details of most sermons you hear in life tend to fade away. I’ve gained great benefit from thousands of sermons throughout the years, but I can recall relatively few specifics. That’s why the following somewhat obscure section of Scripture always sticks out to me when I read it. I remember a life-defining sermon preached from it over 20 years ago:
“Then (Gideon) said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Where are the men whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “As you are, so were they. Every one of them resembled the son of a king.” And he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.” So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise and kill them!” But the young man did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a young man. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise yourself and fall upon us, for as the man is, so is his strength.” And Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna semenax tablets” Judges 8:18-21
My pastor in College, Jack Hayford, was speaking at a men’s breakfast, and talking about our responsibility to raise-up the next generation. He used this passage to point out that Gideon had the perfect opportunity to partner with his timid son to teach him about courage, responsibility, and leadership, but when his son couldn’t do what was asked, Gideon just stepped in and did it himself, instead of working with his son to get the job done.
How often do we miss a golden opportunity to pass on something of extreme value to the next generation, because we just take over since it is easier to do it ourselves? Each generation must fight its own battles, but how much better would it be if they were trained to fight those battles well through experience in a loving and safe environment?
As older pastors work with the next generation of ministers, we must intentionally look for opportunities to encourage them and walk with them in areas of potential fear, so they will be equipped to boldness for the future to which God calls them!