It's All About Relationships

Here is a good word by Allyson Evans at Swerve regarding leading the next generation:

My daughter was explaining to me how she MUST be on the cheer squad because this particular team is going to win the State Championship again next year. Now, this is the same squad that consistently has girl drama and weekly battles between the team members. I assured her that ten years from now when she looks back on her life to reference the things that shaped her into a wonderful adult role model, she would not include being on a State Championship squad… or attending a particular school or having a particular experience. Instead, her list would include the relationships she has with her family, her interactions with friends, teachers, coaches, mentors and most importantly, her relationship with Jesus. It’s not what we’ve experienced that determines who we are, it’s the relationships we’ve cultivated.

As we lead the next generation, it is crucial that, as the church, we help connect young people in relationships that are meaningful and move them down the path in their spiritual development. We must show parents the importance of their role as spiritual leaders to their children and encourage them to deepen those relationships. We should provide tools and resources for families, so they are equipped to lead Christ centered homes. Parents will begin to see for themselves that they can leverage their influence to help their children choose a strong circle of friends, a wise mentor and a bold accountability partner. The kids who come from these homes will be sure of who God is, certain of who they are in Christ, and convinced they can impact the world.

If the church and family truly operate with that sort of focus on the emerging generation, what will our world look like in ten years?

So what are some of the ways you are leading the next generation?