創世記 18:19 我揀選他，為要叫他命令他的子孫和後代家屬遵行耶和華的道，秉公行義，使耶和華所應許亞伯拉罕的話都實現了。
Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
上帝揀選了亞伯拉罕，並祝福他：將成為“萬國之父”（17：5），並賜給他的後代地土為業。但是這個應許，附有條件和誡命-“為要叫他命令他的子孫和後代家屬遵行耶和華的道，秉公行義。” 在聖經中，從舊約到新約，我們都看到上帝的心和誡命是父母教導他們的孩子“遵行耶和華的道”，因為下一代是我們領受上帝應許的關鍵-“使耶和華所應許亞伯拉罕的話都實現了。” 兒童和年輕人的屬靈生活，不是主日學老師和青年牧師的責任，而是父母的責任更是全教會的關注。下一代對我們攸關重大是因為他們是所有人領受上帝對亞伯拉罕應許的關鍵。 除非教會改變我們現行的運作方式，否則我們將繼續失去下一代。
God chose Abraham and gave him this blessing: that he would be “the father of a multitude of nations” (17:5) and that there would be a land for his offspring. But with this promise came a condition and a commandment – “that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.” Throughout the Scriptures, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we see that God’s heart and commandment is for parents to teach their children to “keep the way of the Lord”, because the next generation is the key to receiving God’s promise – “so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” The spiritual life of children and of young people are not the responsibility of Sunday School teachers and youth pastors but of parents, and this should be the main focus of the church. The Next Generation matters because they are the key for all to receive what God has promised to Abraham. Unless our churches change the way we operate, we will continue losing our next generation.
