Series Name: Goal!
Message Title: Start with the Goal in Mind
Short Summary: In a culture obsessed with academic, athletic, and social success, we often lose sight of what matters most, passing our faith to the next generation. This message challenges us to examine whether our greatest joy truly comes from seeing our children walk in the truth, or if we've been distracted by the world's definition of success. Drawing from Psalm 78, we're reminded that faith is only one generation away from extinction, and we must intentionally pass it down with the goal that our children—and their children—would follow Jesus.
Icebreaker Question
If you could have a "family meeting" like Pastor Rodney did, where your kids or family members gave you completely honest feedback about one thing you do, what do you think they would say? (And be honest—would you really want to hear it?)
Review of the Previous Week's "I Will" Statement
Previous Week's Commitment: "I will create a guardrail to honor God's design for sex."
Reflection Questions:
- Last week, Pastor Carter challenged us to create a guardrail to honor God's design for sex. Without sharing details that would be inappropriate, how did you do with implementing that guardrail this week? What made it easy or difficult?
- For those who are parents or influence young people: Did last week's message change how you think about having conversations with the next generation about God's design for sexuality? What's one thing you learned that you want to pass on to them?
(Leader Note: This is a sensitive topic. Keep the conversation focused on the principle of creating guardrails and honoring God's design rather than specific details. Affirm those who took steps forward and encourage those who struggled.)
Discussion Questions
Question 1: Examining Our True Goals
Pastor Rodney mentioned that while we say we want happiness, character, and relationships for our kids, our behavior often reveals we're actually chasing success—academic, athletic, social, and professional. When you honestly examine your own life, what does your behavior reveal about your true goals for the next generation? What would need to change for your greatest joy to be that they "walk in the truth" (3 John 1:4)?
Context: The message exposed the gap between what we say we want and what we actually pursue. The culture has trained us to measure success by worldly standards, and even as Christians, we can fall into this trap.
Application Guidance: This question invites vulnerability about where we've allowed the world's values to shape our parenting or influence. Encourage participants to share specific examples—a schedule that prioritizes sports over spiritual formation, conversations that focus on grades rather than character, or celebrations that honor achievements but overlook faith milestones.
Question 2: The Hidden Faith
Psalm 78:4 warns against hiding God's truth from the next generation. In what subtle ways might we be "hiding" our faith from our children, grandchildren, or the young people in our lives—not by refusing to share it, but by making it secondary to other priorities or by not living it authentically in front of them?
Context: The nation of Israel didn't outright reject God, but they hid Him by prioritizing other things and not passing down their faith intentionally. We can do the same when faith becomes compartmentalized rather than integrated into daily life.
Application Guidance: This question helps participants identify blind spots. Perhaps they pray privately but never let their kids see them pray. Maybe they attend church but don't talk about God during the week. Encourage honest reflection about what message our lives are actually sending.
Question 3: Success vs. Faithfulness
Pastor Rodney shared how his son's football success brought him joy, but he had to wrestle with whether that joy was greater than seeing his son follow Jesus. He admitted that when our kids succeed, it's often really about our own success. Describe a time when you felt more pride or joy in someone's worldly achievement than in their spiritual growth. What does that reveal about your heart?
Context: The world celebrates and affirms us when our kids succeed by its standards, but spiritual growth often goes unnoticed. This creates a powerful temptation to chase what brings us recognition.
Application Guidance: This is a vulnerable question that requires honesty. Create space for participants to admit their struggles without shame. Help them see that recognizing this tendency is the first step toward reordering their priorities. Discuss practical ways to celebrate spiritual milestones with the same enthusiasm we give to worldly achievements.
Question 4: Faith That Outlives Us
The message emphasized that we must pass on a faith that outlives us—generation to generation to generation (Joel 1:3). When you think about the young people in your life, are you intentionally teaching them a faith they can pass on, or are you just hoping they'll "catch" it somehow? What would it look like to be more intentional?
Context: Psalm 78:5-7 describes a deliberate, intentional process of teaching God's commands so that each generation would tell the next. Faith doesn't transfer automatically; it requires purposeful investment.
Application Guidance: This question moves from reflection to action. Encourage participants to think practically: Are they praying with their kids? Sharing their own faith stories? Teaching them to study Scripture? Modeling repentance and dependence on God? Help them identify one specific way they could be more intentional this week.
Question 5: Surrendering Control
Pastor Rodney acknowledged that despite our best efforts, we ultimately have no control over whether the next generation chooses to follow Jesus—but God is all-powerful and never gives up pursuing them. How does this truth both comfort and challenge you? Where do you need to surrender control and trust God more fully with the spiritual lives of those you love?
Context: The message ended with the reminder that parenting and spiritual influence are not formulas with guaranteed outcomes. We do our part, but the work is ultimately between them and God.
Application Guidance: This question addresses the anxiety many feel about their children's or loved ones' faith. Some may need to hear that they can rest in God's sovereignty. Others may need to be challenged that "trusting God" isn't an excuse for passivity—we still do everything we can while trusting Him with the results. Encourage participants to share specific fears or concerns they need to release to God.
This Week's "I Will" Statement
I will pray, by name, for the next generation.
Challenge: Every day this week, pray specifically for a child, grandchild, or young person in your life by name. Pray that their hearts would be focused on God, that they would walk in truth, and that God would pursue them powerfully.
Prayer Prompts
Prompt 1: "Let's start by sharing any prayer requests you have—anything you're walking through this week that you'd like the group to pray for."
Prompt 2: "Who is one young person in your life that you're burdened for spiritually? Let's pray by name for the next generation right now, asking God to pursue their hearts and draw them close to Him."
Prompt 3: "Where have you allowed the world's definition of success to shape your goals instead of God's? Let's pray for God to reorder our priorities and give us His heart for the next generation—that our greatest joy would truly be seeing them walk in the truth."
Rewatch the Message
Want to revisit this message or share it with someone else?
Watch it here: