Generational Teaching
The Bible describes handing the faith from one generation to the next. We call this “generational teaching.” It is also known as “spiritual multiplication.”
IN THE TORAH
The notion of generational teaching is seen in Deuteronomy chapter 6:
Deuteronomy 6:2. that you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.
This verse mentions three distinct generations:
- you
- your son
- your son’s son
So in this verse, the teaching of the faith spans three generations.
IN THE LIFE OF SOLOMON
Solomon received the teaching of the faith from his own parents David and Bathsheba.
Proverbs 4:1. Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
In the life of Solomon, the teaching of the faith spans three generations:
- David and Bathsheba
- Solomon
- Solomon’s sons
IN THE LIFE OF PAUL
Generational teaching is also seen in the life of Paul.
2 Timothy 2:2. The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
In this verse, discipleship training spans four generations:
- Paul
- Timothy
- faithful people
- others
Timothy was trained in Christian discipleship by Paul. Timothy, in turn, is to train faithful people in Christian discipleship.
Those faithful individuals, in turn, will invest themselves in training still other people in the ways of Christian discipleship.
This idea is often referred to as spiritual multiplication. It means that by investing deeply in a very few individuals, your efforts will be multiplied as they go out and do likewise.
APPLICATION
Are you involved in the generational teaching of the faith?
Will you multiply your faith into the lives of other people?
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.