As Christians, one of our most important callings is to pass our faith on to the next generation. Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
At 2|42 Community Church, prioritizing kids is a core part of living out our vision to be for our community and for the world. We believe the church has a vital role to play in coming alongside parents to raise children who know and love Jesus.
The weight of responsibility for those of us who are parents, raising our kids to follow Christ can feel like an overwhelming responsibility at times. We realize that their relationship with God and even their eternal destiny is greatly impacted by how we teach and model the Christian life. It’s a weighty calling.
Especially in today’s world, with rising rates of anxiety and depression among young people, parents need support. We were never meant to disciple our children in isolation. We need the proverbial “village” around us.
In Biblical times, extended family and the close-knit community provided that village. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even household servants had an influence in a child’s spiritual upbringing.
Today, with families living further apart and a more fragmented society, the church needs to step in and be that village. Parents are still the primary spiritual influence, but they need the church to partner with and support them.
How 2|42 comes alongside parents at 2|42, we prioritize kids by providing age-appropriate ministries where they can learn about God in engaging ways, build friendships with Christian peers, and connect with adult mentors and role models.
From nursery and preschool to elementary, middle school, and high school ministries, we create fun and intentional environments for kids to grow in their faith at every stage. Our staff and a whole team of committed volunteers make this possible.
There are a variety of ways to get involved and be part of this “village” at 2|42, even if you don’t feel called to work directly with kids each week. You could:
- Provide a welcoming environment by serving on the hospitality or check-in team
- Help ensure kids’ safety by being part of the security team
- Use your organizational skills to assist staff in prepping materials during the week
- Pray regularly for the kids and students in our church
The importance of intergenerational relationships while structured kids and youth ministry programs are important, another key factor in keeping young people connected to faith is intergenerational relationships.
When researchers study what helps high school graduates stick with their faith, one of the top factors is having a meaningful connection with an adult Christian in addition to their parents. There’s power in the example and encouragement of that “cloud of witnesses.”
We all have people like that from our own upbringing – the “Uncle Ralphs” who modeled an authentic faith and made us feel valued. Now it’s our turn to be that person for the younger generation.
You may think you need some special ability to relate to today’s youth, but you don’t. You just need to be available, and real. Kids can spot a fake from a mile away, so there’s no need to put on an act of having it all together.
The most important things we can do are simply live out our faith authentically, and when we see kids doing something right, say something encouraging to them. Those words of affirmation from adults other than their parents can make such an impact.
As a church, we want to be intentional about fostering intergenerational community. That’s why we do things like having students serve alongside adults, and providing opportunities for old and young to worship and learn together. These relationships are life-giving in both directions.
The call to go and make disciples ultimately, prioritizing kids and investing in the next generation is part of fulfilling the Great Commission. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded his followers to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) That starts right here with the children in our church, community, and families.
As 2|42 seeks to live out our vision in the coming years, this is one of our four key priorities – not just having strong programs, but calling every member to play a role in discipling the next generation. It’s a sacred responsibility and a great opportunity.
So whether you are a parent, a college student, a grandparent, or a single adult, there is a place for you to prioritize kids and students at our church. It could be by serving, through intentionally building relationships, or faithfully praying and supporting these ministries.
The investments we make now in the children at 2|42 can impact them for a lifetime and shape the future of the church. As Psalm 78 says, we want to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord so they would put their trust in God and keep his commands.
What a privilege we have to be part of this – to give the next generation the strong spiritual foundation they need to thrive as Christ-followers in an increasingly challenging world. May they one day look back and recall our authentic example and encouraging words as part of their story.
Let’s embrace the call to start children off in the way they should go, trusting God to work in and through us. Let’s be the village, the cloud of witnesses, raising up a new generation of disciples. Their lives, and the world, will never be the same.
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You can learn more about our beliefs and visit our video library to explore more topics like this one. You can also check out our events page to find out what fun new things we’re doing this season.
