Love in Action Shapes the Next Generation

Well Faith with Chris Teien

What kind of faith are we passing to the next generation? Pastor Chris Teien shares from Psalm 71:17-18, calling us to love, teach, guide, and model faith for children, youth, and young adults. Our love in action shapes their understanding of God and prepares them to stand firm in a world that often opposes biblical truth.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/16632938

This message outlines seven biblical ways to invest in the next generation. From loving God first to exemplifying Christian living, each step provides practical encouragement for parents, grandparents, mentors, and church members who want to pass on a lasting faith.

Key Themes & Scripture References:

1. Love God First – A deep relationship with God is the foundation (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
2. Teach God’s Word Daily – Faith should be woven into everyday life (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
3. Encourage Their Unique Design – Help them see their worth in Christ (Psalm 139:13-14).
4. Guide with Wisdom & Discipline – Biblical training shapes character (Proverbs 22:6).
5. Pray Over Their Lives – Lift them up in faith (Philippians 1:9-11).
6. Conduct Yourself in a Worthy Manner – Live out faith with integrity (Philippians 1:27-30).
7. Exemplify Christian Living – Be a model worth following (1 Corinthians 1:11, Titus 2:7-8).

Personal Reflections & Stories:

• Chris’s grandparents encouraged his faith through Bible memorization.
• Raising children in faith included Christian media, homeschooling, and daily conversations.
• The power of mentors—stories of adults shaping kids’ spiritual journeys.
• The importance of prayer—his step-grandmother prayed for him daily.

Notable Quotes:

• "Faith isn’t just taught—it’s caught."
• "Love in action means being intentional about passing faith forward."
• "Your life is a sermon—what are your kids learning from you?"

Application & Takeaways:

1. Live a genuine faith—make your love for God real and visible.
2. Be intentional about teaching scripture through daily conversations.
3. Affirm each child’s God-given identity and help them discover their calling.
4. Discipline with wisdom and grace, pointing them toward biblical truth.
5. Pray for them regularly, asking God to guide their faith journey.
6. Model integrity and faithfulness, showing them what Christian living looks like.

Scripture References Mentioned:

• Psalm 71:17-18 – Passing faith to the next generation.
• Deuteronomy 6:4-7 – Teaching and modeling faith daily.
• Psalm 139:13-14 – Encouraging their unique design.
• Proverbs 22:6 – Guiding with wisdom and discipline.
• Philippians 1:9-11 – Praying over their lives.
• Philippians 1:27-30 – Living a life worthy of the gospel.
• 1 Corinthians 1:11, Titus 2:7-8 – Setting an example of Christian living.

Keywords & Tags:

Faith, Discipleship, Parenting, Biblical Worldview, Christian Family, Teaching Kids About God, Proverbs 22, Deuteronomy 6, Philippians 1

Subscribe to Well Faith with Chris Teien where you get your podcasts or go to wellfaith.buzzsprout.com Easily search these messages on our well.faith website. Find inspiring posts, faith building resources, and encouragement for a better life at ChrisTeien.com Join us 10:15am Sundays in person at 93 Midway Dr, Virginia, MN 55792 or online at rockwell.church #rockwellchurch218

Note: New messages shared Sundays. Encouraging replay messages from Pastor Chris’s previous ministry (2021 and earlier), marked with an asterisk (*), shared Wednesdays.