The Bible provides us instructions about how to prepare the next generation and why this is critical. Without the younger generation knowing, seeing and feeling God’s faithfulness and instruction, there will be but a glimmer of light in the darkness. The younger next generation will usher in the Kingdom of God, and it is our responsibility to prepare and equip them for their calling.
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) says…
- “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NKJV) says…
- “‘Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren…'”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says…
- “‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
“‘And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.'”
The Key to Preparing the Next Generation
As born-again believers, we know we are to teach our children about the character and ways of the Lord. However, how much of today’s culture influences what and how we teach them?
Sadly, there are some influences we simply can’t remove. Fortunately, the Lord gave us celebrations of His Feasts so that we can observe them with our children and family to awaken and cleanse our souls and refocus our attention. As a result, we can receive the revelation and instruction on moving forward in every season — not only for ourselves but also for our children!
The problem is that many of us don’t know how to break down this concept for the next generation, planting seeds that, when watered throughout their lifetimes, will produce an abundant crop for His Kingdom.
The key to preparing the next generation is to TEACH them. Teach them about the Lord’s…
- Timing
- Instruction
- Covenant
- Faithful love
Yeshua’s Example of Preparation
Yeshua gathered 12 men and spent 3 years teaching and walking with them. He was patient and prayerful. At the end, He instructed them to go and “make disciples of the nations.”
This lifestyle, the process of walking with them, is how they were prepared for the Great Commission. And this is how we as parents and grandparents of the faith must think when it comes to preparing the next generation.
The Divinely Appointed Times | Moeds
We must live and align with the Lord. You’ve heard it said, “Actions speak louder than words.” If we want them to be disciples who are Kingdom-minded and Kingdom-prepared, let’s start speaking truth into them, celebrating how the Lord celebrated — observing His Feasts and pray how the Lord prayed!
Life today is busy. There are challenges around every corner vying for our time, thoughts, resources and activities.
But there are blessings, both for parents and children, when we choose to slow down and sit down with each other. The Word tells us that when we observe the divinely appointed times, or moeds, of the Feast, blessings are released.
As a culture, we make it a point to celebrate birthdays and holidays throughout the year, but what would the next generation gain from stepping into God’s Word and watching it come alive through the Feasts of the Lord?
- They would KNOW the graciousness of their Father.
- They would SEE the sacrificial death of their Messiah.
- They would FEEL the empowering fire of the Holy Spirit.
They would begin to experience how the Lord of Creation is moving in and through them, His Church, and the nation of Israel to revive and restore what seems to be lost. They would experience hope and authority through Yeshua.
Leviticus 23:1-2, 23-24, 26-27, 33-34 says this…
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: “The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord.”‘”
The Feasts of the Lord and the Next Generation
The Feasts of the Lord are celebrations to help us, and the next generation, understand and see the Lord’s acts of creation, mercy, redemption and forgiveness.
They are opportunities not only for us to come to the Lord’s table but to teach our children of His ways, which in turn fosters discipleship, preparing them for the Kingdom call.
We need to prepare the next generation to come into alignment with the Lord. If we’ve learned anything in the past couple of years, it’s how quickly this world can change.
What’s the next big change? Are our children prepared to war in the spirit and prevail?
Curt Landry, founder of Curt Landry Ministries, and his wife, Christie, travel extensively, preaching and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. Together, their passion is to empower families to live and leave Kingdom legacies and understand their own personal heritage.
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Charisma Staff 
Joseph Mattera