God’s Multi-Generational Model

Joshua 4:4
“Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:”

God’s model for everything that He started is to be a multi-generational institution. When God created the home, He commanded them to procreate so that the family could continue for generations. When God started the church, His desire for the church is to produce fruit that remains so that the influence of the church would continue for endless generations to come. A multi-generational model is the only hope for the future of any family, church, or institution.

The multi-generation model is found in the verse above. The verse above says, “Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared…” In other words, Joshua had to realize that he needed to train the next generation what Moses taught him. In doing so, he perpetuated what God was doing through Israel.

If your church is going to continue for generations, it must have a multi-generational vision to perpetuate the Gospel for generations to come. The Sunday school is the best way to institute a multi-generational model in your church. The verse above shows several things that it takes for a church to have this multi-generational model. Let me share the multi-generational model that Joshua followed.

First, Joshua realized he couldn’t do it all by himself. Joshua trained twelve other men to do the work because he couldn’t do it all himself. If you try to do everything yourself, you are going to fail to create a multi-generational model. You multiply your influence by taking the time to train others.

Second, Joshua had divisions. Where did Joshua get this mindset? He learned it from Moses’ example of dividing men under him to help counsel and lead Israel. The Sunday school must be divided so that it can reach more people. Every class in the church must be willing to be divided when it gets too large because you multiply by dividing.

Third, Joshua prepared the men. You should always be training someone to do what you are doing. When you stop training others is when your work begins to die. A multi-generational vision will not be accomplished without training others to do what you are doing.

Fourth, the men had to be willing to be prepared. It is hard to train others if the people who are being taught won’t listen. My friend, you must have a teachable heart and spirit if the multi-generational model is going to be accomplished.

Fifth, the men trusted and followed Joshua’s leadership. If you have a leader who believes and practices this multi-generational model, you need to trust that they know what they are doing. If you fight your leader when they try to divide your class, you are hindering the multi-generational model from working. You have to trust and follow your pastor as he divides the Sunday school because the church will only multiply as it is divided.

Sixth, the men’s work became a multi-generational work. Because these men followed Joshua’s multi-generational model, their work goes on to this day. Your life work can influence others beyond your life if you employ the multi-generational model of training others to do what you are doing. The influence of your life and the hope of future generations is if you and your church will practice God’s multi-generational model of training the next generation.