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My Grandad was a medic with the New Zealand armed forces in WWII. He became a Christian shortly before the war began and, although he refused to take up arms, chose to serve as an unarmed medic. There are several stories of his courage in the face of enemy fire as he sought to rescue comrades, stories that earned him many medals. These medals and stories are our family heirlooms. They were passed down to my dad, and then from him to my brothers and me.

Yet despite how much I value and boast in these heirlooms, there is another heirloom I have and can pass on which is much more valuable and praiseworthy: the gospel.

In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy that the gospel is the “promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (1:1), who “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light” (1:10) as the promised “risen” king (2:8) who offers “salvation” and “eternal glory” (2:10), and whose message cannot be bound (2:9).

And this message—this precious family heirloom—is passed from generation to generation. Timothy heard it from his mother, who was taught by her mother (1:5). Paul himself stands in a long ancestral line (1:3) and passed it on to Timothy in the presence of many witnesses (2:2). And now Timothy must continue to pass it on (2:2).

“Intergenerational” has become a recent buzzword for our church, but I hope you can see it is anything but a buzzword—it is at the very heart of the gospel and gospel ministry.

To continue reforming our church in line with the Gospel’s own logic, our congregations, kids and youth teams continue to refine what they do.

There are many encouragements for which we ought to praise God and his work through his people. For example,

  • All ages discussing the bible together in some of our congregations, and especially the joy some leaders have experienced of sitting with families and being part of parents passing on this heirloom to their children.
  • Our Kids Church and City Youth teams opening Daniel each week with the younger members of St John’s to teach them that God’s kingdom is the most powerful and only lasting kingdom.
  • Our Kids Church leaders being able to join morning tea after Kids Church to meet, connect and pray with the parents of the children we lead. It’s been a particular and refreshing encouragement for some to watch families grow in love for Jesus together.
  • Leaders from both English and Chinese congregations serving at Kids Church. In particular, eight faithful and humble leaders from our Chinese congregations (including seven parents!) are being trained to give kids talks, despite initially lacking confidence and teaching in a second language.
  • Our youth continuing to engage deeply and insightfully with the scriptures and inviting friends along.
  • Give thanks for the way our precious family heirloom is being passed on throughout our church!

What about you? Here are some reflective questions and next steps we can all take:

  • Ask yourself: How valuable is the gospel message to me? Do I treat it as a precious heirloom? Is it what I most want to pass on to others, especially the members of my family? If not, what stands in its place? And who is someone to whom I can prayerfully and diligently pass on the gospel?
  • Pray to God: that he would raise up more people to pass on this precious family heirloom to the next generation in our church, whether as Kids Church leaders, City Youth leaders, other trusted adults, and even courageous kids within their families.

Callan Pritchard
Associate Minister

 

Pray that we would pass on the Gospel

Give thanks for the gospel, the precious family heirloom that promises life in Christ Jesus, salvation and eternal glory through the risen King. Ask God for hearts that treasure the gospel above all else, and for faithfulness across St John’s in passing it on from generation to generation. Ask God to raise up more people to pass on this precious family heirloom to the next generation, through families, Kids Church, City Youth, trusted adults and courageous children.