A Solid Faith Foundation for the Next Generation

By Lora Avery

Are you watching what’s happening around us and wondering what the future holds for the next generation and for the church? Our culture has wandered far from its original faith roots.

According to the Pew Research Center’s surveys conducted in 2023–2024, only 63% of adults identify as Christian versus 78% in 2007. Among parents who are currently raising kids, 26% say they attend religious services weekly. Another 9% attend once or twice a month.

As the adults who raise kids move further away from biblical beliefs and influences, a large number of children have only limited exposure to the truths in God’s Word. In a world of increasing confusion and chaos, kids need a simple and solid faith foundation, which will give them an unshakeable anchor to steady them throughout their lives.

Jesus gave us two keystone commandments in Matthew 22:36–40. He told us loving God and loving people is what it’s all about. Everything else in life and faith springs from this. However, according to the Barna 2023 American Worldview Inventory report, only 36% of adults believe “the universal purpose of life for all people is to wholeheartedly know, love, and serve God.”

How do we, as Christ-followers, fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus gave us to disciple children and leave a godly legacy of faith — particularly in an era when this has become increasingly countercultural?

1) Don’t panic over the disheartening statistics or the people you know who have turned away from Christ.

People leaving Jesus isn’t unusual, and it isn’t new. After all, every one of Jesus’ Twelve Disciples left Him on the night He was arrested. “Then everyone deserted him and fled” (Mark 14:50). These were highly committed followers. They previously left everything for Him and traveled with Him for three years. One came back rather quickly — John was at the foot of the cross with Jesus’ mother. Only one never came back.

It’s not uncommon for us human beings to get lost along the way. We lose our focus. Things don’t turn out like we expected. We try a different road only to discover that road doesn’t lead to the place we wanted to go. We experience regret. But Jesus died to redeem that regret, providing His forgiveness and His power to work all things out for good.

The key isn’t to make sure people never wander or even run away from Christ. The key is to make sure they have a clear and obvious path back to truth when they’re ready to embrace it.

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 “People leaving Jesus isn’t unusual, and it isn’t new.”

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2) Pray, understanding this is spiritual warfare.

Jesus gave us this example. He knew His Disciples would all turn away from Him when He was betrayed. He also knew this was a temporary situation for most of them.

Simon Peter and Jesus had a discussion about this as Peter insisted he would never deny his Messiah. Jesus gave Peter a glimpse into the spiritual realm, the battle being fought, and the ultimate victory. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32, emphasis added).

The Disciples’ faith appeared to break at a critical juncture. The reality was their faith was being tested by fire and refined by those flames. Their faith became unbreakable.

Jesus knew the power of prayer to join God in the work He was doing to transform failure into victory.

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 “Jesus knew the power of prayer to join God in the work He was doing to transform failure into victory.”

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3) Be a catalyst for faith by being an example. Show what Jesus does in the lives of His followers. Live the two greatest commandments.

We often think of God’s call as a role He asks us to fill.

God has called me to write and speak. He has given me a passion for sharing His love through my books, online posts, talks, board game, and prayer. My new book, “The Biggest WHY,” is born out of a deep desire to disciple kids into a strong faith foundation. It helps them understand and embrace the concept that our life purpose is all about loving God and people.

But this is only part of the story of God’s call in my life. There’s a bigger, more pervasive call, which goes beyond performing occupational tasks. God is calling me to share His love in the opportunities a moment provides to interrupt my plans for the day and meet a need. Being a planner by nature, this doesn’t follow my normal inclinations. I easily miss these opportunities if I’m not paying attention to the nudges of the Holy Spirit. That frazzled mom at the store with a crying baby needs someone to play peekaboo to turn the tears into laughter. A friend walking through some really heavy stuff needs a listening ear. The person that ambulance is speeding through town to help needs prayer.

Only through the strength, grace, and leading of the Holy Spirit can we become all God created us to be. Love does drive what we do, but more than that, it drives how and why we do everything we do. And that love is sourced from God Himself. 1 John 4:19 states, “We love because He first loved us.”

Sometimes we are called to step into a God-sized assignment, leaning on His power and wisdom to enable us. However, we are always called to “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1–2).

4) Proclaim Jesus’ words about what’s most important: loving God and loving people.

The beginning of 1 Corinthians 13 lets us know anything we do for God that doesn’t flow from love is pointless. Love for God and people is what it’s all about.

Even though I grew up in the church, I missed the simple overarching message of the foundation of our faith. I thought it was easier to follow a checklist of good things to do and bad things not to do. I had placed my faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, and I had a relationship with God. But living the Christian life seemed quite complicated as my focus was rule-driven rather than love-driven. During my adult years, I discovered I had it backward: The goal isn’t to follow rules so I can prove I love God. The goal is to love God above all else so I want to do what pleases Him and share that love with others.

By the time my grandkids came along, I recognized their need for a no-fooling-this-is-what-it’s-all-about kind of summary. As they grow up in a culture that has lost its bearings, they need a solid and succinct anchor for their lives. I started habitually embedding this question and answer into their minds:

Q: “What’s life all about?”

A: “Loving God and loving people!”

This gives them an enduring memory the Holy Spirit can bring to mind at any and every moment it is needed. It serves as a springboard for delving deeper into more detail regarding what loving God and people means in everyday life. It serves as an “Ebenezer stone” (1 Samuel 7:12) of remembrance to help them get their bearings if they’ve strayed.

Understanding that our sole purpose in life is loving God and loving people is the north star that guides us to the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Light + Life + Love

Light shines brightest in the darkness. Love is most necessary when there is hatred or indifference all around. God designed us to make a difference in the world by sharing His love.

What is God calling you to do to build a legacy of faith for the next generation? How is He calling you to live out all of the “minor details” of life with love?

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 “God designed us to make a difference in the world by sharing His love.”

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Let’s pray for our children within the church and outside the church. Let’s pray for each other as we strive to fulfill God’s call moment-by-moment. May we seize each opportunity He provides to show His love and build His kingdom. May we abide in Christ to receive His love and allow that love to overflow!

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