Breaking the Generational Cycle of Rebellion

Text: Psalm 78
Theme: Teaching our children can help them not be like their ancestors
Key verses: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders…He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them–even the children not yet born–and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors–stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God (v. 4-7).
What God said to me: Dwayne, this is the answer. This is the simple formula for helping to break the downward spiral of rebellion and ignorance that so many families and people pass on from generation to generation. Someone has to decide to intentionally set their hope anew on me, and then invest their life into passing their faith and hope along to their children and people who are younger than them. I commanded your ancestors to teach my laws to their children. Some did; many did not. I have commanded you to teach your children and grandchildren. No generation of parents and spiritual adults gets off the hook. You will be held accountable for how much you tried to truly teach what you know and believe to your sons and to those in your circle of influence. Right now, I have dropped some challenging situations in your path–a family down the street who is caught of downward poverty and co-dependency. I am counting on you to help teach their children how to break that cycle. Discipleship is difficult. Committing your life to pour into others can get messy at times. But this is what is needed. This is what I expect and will empower you to do.
What I said to God: Father, thank You for speaking so clearly to me from the words of Asaph today. His life and example continue to challenge me. His determination to mentor his children and impact future generations is a quality often missing among worship leaders today. Please forgive me when I want to take the easy way out–to just sing to them on Sunday and then forget about them until the next time I’m on stage. This is so far from what You have commanded of us. Please help us be disciple-makers, to teach our children and our spiritual children at whatever personal cost is necessary.