“So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19, CSB).
3. The Church Can Impact the World
Many young people are cause-oriented. They want their lives to matter and want to make the world around them a better place. One of Generation Z’s core values is being a part of a cause bigger than themselves. So, help a generation understand that when the church is unified and mobilized, hell cannot prevail against it. There’s no cause bigger than the cause of Christ and His church.
When it comes to responding to disasters, sex trafficking, injustice, orphan care, and other needs, the church is the greatest responder. Do we always get it right? No. Are we sometimes late to the party? Yes. However, when the church (fueled by the Holy Spirit) rallies around a cause, nothing can stop it. And the world takes notice.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, CSB).
4. The Church Can Maximize Their Lives
The Great Commandment and Great Commission call every follower of Jesus to do three things: love God, love people, and make disciples. It’s a nonnegotiable that we disciple a generation to have the same prayer and attitude as John the Baptist – “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Spiritually mature followers of Jesus realize that real Christianity has more to do with others than ourselves. We are called to love God; we are called to love people; and we are called to make disciples.
To do this, every Christian (including young people) is given spiritual gifts through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are used to strengthen others in the body of Christ. “For I want very much to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12).
Ironically, the more you serve, love, and pour your life into others, the more joy, hope, and peace you tend to have. The church isn’t an organization created to fulfill your preferences; the church is a people created to know the Lord and serve others. It maximizes the effectiveness and legacy of your life, and no one should ever walk away from that high calling.
As leaders, we must disciple the next generation in these truths, so they will rise up and teach the generation after them. After all, this is exactly why the New Testament church has continued to exist for 2,000 years.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
