Youth & Family Ministry

One Generation to Another

The theme of the Youth and Family ministry, here at Valley Christian, is centered around having a “faith that will outlive us.” Each generation must be taught who God is, and what He has done for mankind. 

At the core of this theme resides the conviction to pass the glorious riches of the gospel not only to the next generation, but to the generations to come. We must prepare our children and future generations to believe and receive the great promise of the gospel that is for them, and prepare them to respond to God's call.

Acts 2:38-39 
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT) 
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

Opposition is Expected

God desires for our children to know the truth. However, Satan desires to blind their minds and keep them in ignorance. We accept this challenge and choose to engage in spiritual warfare as we fight for the minds of our younger generations.

2 Corinthians 4:4 
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Intentionality is Needed

Satan will not ask parents permission to influence their children, nor does he hold to any moral code that forces him to wait til they turn 18. We can imagine that Satan desires to influence the younger generations as soon as he can. We must respond to this opposition with diligent intentionality in instilling the younger generation with God's truth.

Psalm 78:4-6 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come

Confronting the Lies

#1 It's the job of professionals - parents tend to feel that their lack of knowledge and/or prior mistakes disqualify them from being primary spiritual influencers of their children. However, if they know enough of the Gospel to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then they know enough to begin influencing their children to believe Jesus, too (Acts 4:13).


#2 It's the job of parents alone - disciples without children tend to feel a lack of obligation to prepare the younger generations to receive the gospel. Although the parents are primarily responsible for their children, the community of faith must also engage in equipping the younger generation.