Sharpening the Next Generation of Believers

By Joslyn Barratt

Have you ever had an experience in your life that, when you look back, you realize how formative it was? Have you had a moment in time you will forever be grateful for?

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

This is how I would describe the Next Gen 10:2 Gathering in Lake Elsinore, California. It formed me and challenged me to become a greater disciple for Christ. I was around like-minded people, both students and leaders, who desire to see the gospel advance. These people, who I now consider friends and mentors, challenged me in my thinking and pushed me to take greater action in my faith.

I am currently reading through a book called “Discipology” by Peyton Jones, who was a speaker at Next Gen 10:2. This book goes over the art and science of making disciples the way Jesus did. It talks about mobilizing believers, and how multiplication of the church will follow. The Next Gen 10:2 organizers accomplished three things:

1. They mobilized us.

The speakers and leaders didn’t just talk about how we need to be disciples, but gave us a format to walk it out, pushing us and encouraging us to walk away from the cliff the world so desperately runs toward.

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 “These people, who I now consider friends and mentors, challenged me in my thinking and pushed me to take greater action in my faith.”

2. They called us higher.

They called us higher in our responsibilities and duties as believers to go and make disciples and equipped us with the tools we need to mobilize others.

3. They created an environment in which a community of iron could be built.

I was surrounded by strangers who quickly became friends — people who have the desire and drive to see the church thrive. But most of all, I met Courtney Roberts, someone who I am eternally grateful to call a friend and whose friendship I hope will last a lifetime.

Serving and Reaching

That brings us to part two of this article. How can local churches serve and reach young adults in this day and age?

As a young adult, I personally desire to be in a body that hungers and thirsts for the Lord and His truth. If I were to truly give my opinion, I would say numbers don’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

I have noticed that in the beginning of building a youth or young adult group, the church is so reliant on Christ to multiply, and when He does, I think we unintentionally start to alter how we do things, from the sermons that are preached to how many songs we sing, in order to keep the butts in seats. It seems like we tend to move from the mission of Christ to managing expectations.

A smaller environment is often where people thrive, and as the church gets bigger, we need to learn how to become smaller.

As a young adult, I desire to be poured into, spoken into, and challenged. I desire mentors to invite me and show me how to keep Christ close in this transition of life. We need people to call the best out of us, call us higher, and show us how to stay steadfast in the Word of God.

A Community of Iron

Community matters, but not just any community — a Proverbs 27:17 community. A community where both the baby believer and mature believer can thrive. A community where we sharpen one another, challenge one another, encourage one another, and ultimately point one another back to Christ.

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 “As a young adult, I desire to be poured into, spoken into, and challenged. I desire mentors to invite me and show me how to keep Christ close in this transition of life.”

Church doesn’t have to have all the lights, the new songs, and a sermon that always tells me how much God loves me. It needs submitted leaders who are led by the Holy Spirit. It needs avenues of growth for every believer, regardless of where they are in their walk. And it needs a community of iron.

“We do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.” – G.K. Chesterton
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