Trail Markers for the Younger Generation

I was out with some friends in a really remote region of the High Sierra backcountry. It was an amazing place in several respects—the wildlife, the beauty, the solitude, the fishing…

Yet, if you didn’t know where it was, you’d never be able to find that gorgeous place. You have to ride a horse and hike for days just to get to where you depart from the trail. Your only guide after that would be occasional trail markers left by other hikers or a ranger. Without the trail markers, you would never arrive at the destination.

It was an extremely arduous journey, but well worth it once we arrived.

I know some of the younger people hear us talk about the importance of being generationally minded, and they think, “It’s too hard! We don’t want to connect with older people. We just want to hang out with those our own age.”

Yes, the journey will be hard, but the payoff will be well worth it.

So I want to share three trail markers for the younger generations that will help in this journey toward our desired destination of a multigenerational church, which God says is the most effective vehicle for reaching a lost and dying world.

HONOR

Exodus 20:12 says,

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”

This verse certainly refers to natural children with their parents, but it also applies to the spirit with which younger believers should address and interact with their elders.

When an older person encourages, instructs, counsels, or corrects you, their words should carry weight.

ACT

John writes in 2 John 1:4 and 3 John 1:4,

I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. … I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Not that they “listen to truth,” but “walk in truth.” Walking denotes action—when truth has been imbibed, digested, and turned into a lifestyle.

So rejoice our hearts, young people. Let us see you on your knees doing those unchanging, foundational things that brought the Church to where she is now.

BE AWARE

Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:12,

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

The word for “example” here literally means to strike with force, leaving an imprint or mark.

Be aware that your life, even in your youth, is leaving an imprint on the lives and souls of those around you. 

CONCLUSION

Remember, we have been called to do life and ministry alongside one another. The journey will not always be easy, but we can make it if we follow the trail markers together.