Teaching the Next Generation: The Life We Model Every Single Day
From Vacation Bible School to Brother Andrew's expectant prayer — what does your everyday life teach about faith? Episode Spotlight: Well Worn Pages Book Club Episode 3: Praying It Through.
Hey friends! Summer is moving along and this week I (Lori) have been immersed in all things VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church Pecan Baptist. If you’ve ever been involved with VBS you know it is immensely rewarding, a bit exhausting, but always so worth it! Getting to see those young faces light up as they celebrate the love of Jesus—there’s nothing like it.
It also reminds me how important it is to pray for and train up our next generation of Christian leaders. If we are not intentional to disciple and pour into younger generations (whether as a parent, grandparent, mentor or through everyday interactions) how will they learn to balance and discern the ideas they see taught as “truth” out in the world?
Whether intentional or not, we are teaching the next generation. Our lives are on display. People see the way we live— every single day. Our words, actions, and behaviors teach by example.
I am thankful that growing up, my own children had (and still have) many strong Christian examples in their lives.
They saw what it looks like to make decisions based on God’s truths.
They saw what it looks like to receive His forgiveness and grace when we stumble and fail.
And they saw what it looks like to learn from those failures and keep going—to continue to persevere in following Him.
But none of this is possible apart from God. What my life teaches directly reflects my own relationship with the Lord. I must remain in God’s presence, spending time with Him in prayer and studying His Word, for my life—my words, actions, and behaviors—to reflect His truths.
That is the same for us all. If we want our lives to teach God’s truths, we must prayerfully abide in Him. He is our strength and our guide—our ultimate Teacher. As we think about how we are teaching the generations following us, do so prayerfully. Pray not only for them, but also for the ones they are following—including ourselves!
How are you pouring into the next generation?
What does your everyday life teach about what you believe?
How can you pray today for our next generation of Christians?
Episode Spotlight: Praying It Through (Episode 3 - God’s Smuggler)
Is prayer your first response — or your last resort?
I’ll be honest with you: prayer has sometimes been my last resort.
I don’t intend for it to be, but I often find myself with every option exhausted before I finally get quiet and talk with God.
Brother Andrew lived differently. Prayer wasn’t his contingency. It was his first language.
In Episode 3 of Well Worn Pages, Christy and I talk about what a life of expectant prayer actually looks like — the kind where you pray specifically, constantly, and actually trust God to work.
Who do you know who desires a more active, expectant prayer life? Who do you know who needs prayer as their lifeline instead of an afterthought?
Send them this episode.
🎧 Listen (or relisten) to Episode 3: Praying it Through on Substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or search Well Worn Pages Book Club wherever you listen.
Who do you know who needs some encouragement today? Forward them this email and encourage them to listen to the podcast using the links below or search Well Worn Pages Book Club wherever they get their podcasts.
With you on the journey,
Christy & Lori
Well Worn Pages Book Club
wellwornpages.substack.com