Passing the baton

In a relay race there is a critical point where the baton is passed from one runner to the next as the race progresses. If the baton is dropped there is no way to recover it and still win the race. The second runner must "get up to speed" so the baton can be passed without losing time. Multi-generational faithfulness operates on much the same principal. In order to pass the baton of faithfulness to the next generation we must insure that they "get up to speed" One way this is accomplished is through family discipleship. In order to prepare his disciples to carry on after he would no longer physically be with them, Jesus did not send them off to be educated in the philosophies of the day but rather they spent all their time with him, watching, learning, and building intimate relationship with him. Through this "discipleship" they were learning first hand how to become "fishers of men". It must be noted even this excellent training was, by itself, inadequate, for without the infilling of the Holy Spirit they would be operating in their own limited strength and wisdom. In Luke 24:29, the disciples were told by Jesus to "tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" Our primary job as parents then, becomes first to develop and maintain an intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ being continually filled with power from on high by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only then can we instill in our children through our own intimate relationship with them, this same passion to live out God's truths in their personal lives. While we must realize that ultimately our children must develop an intimate personal relationship of their own with Jesus Christ and that this is a work of the Holy Spirit and the mercy and grace of God in their lives, we are not relieved of the responsibility to "bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord". Some specifics as to how this may be accomplished will be addressed in future posts. For now let us take seriously the task of "passing the baton" successfully to our children. Through obiedience to God's word and by his grace, strength and wisdom in operation through us, we can see our children, grandchildren, and generations to come living lives of fruitfulness, faithfulness and fidelity to the truths of God's word. Don't drop the baton!- Jeff



These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. Deut. 6:6-9



Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13



Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1