Empowering the Next Generation

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Building something takes time, skill, and intentionality. This is especially true of creating a home environment and building into the next generation. All of us came from environments that shaped and molded us. And each of us has the opportunity to mold and shape those who will carry the baton after us.

• What is something you are proud of that you’ve built, designed, or created from scratch?

• Ryan talked about how to build a great home environment. What is something that stood out to you from his message?

Discuss Together

Read Joshua 24:14-15.

• What unique challenges did this generation face as they “put away the gods” that their fathers had served in order to serve the Lord?

• Family traditions and habits are powerful. Was there a tradition from your childhood home that you still carry with you today?

• Have you tried establishing your own family traditions? What are some opportunities for traditions you could start that might be outside normal holiday ones (e.g., last day of school and last day of summer)?

• What does it practically look like for a household to be built around serving the Lord? Is this a value for your household?

• If nothing changed about your current home or parenting, what do you think your child’s primary memories would be?

Now, read Proverbs 24:3-4, Hebrews 3:4, and Matthew 7:24-27.

• Proverbs talks about building with wisdom and knowledge. What is one way this series has inspired you to gain more wisdom and knowledge about a specific skill or area of parenting?

• Ryan shared how building a culture of seeking godly wisdom in our homes involves stillness, hearing God’s Word, and practicing God’s Word. Of those three things, which area do you think you need to focus on? Why?

• Many of us feel exhausted as we try to raise and empower the next generation. Do you feel that way today? What do you think causes us to feel overwhelmed when it comes to parents and kids?

• Can you think of a time where you felt really overwhelmed in your home life and then God showed up in a big way? Share with the group.

• If you were to describe the goal of parenting in one sentence, what would it be?