CHERYL QUIGG

The Psalms often speak about the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Psalm 1 says that the person who follows God’s ways is blessed, while those who reject His guidance face destruction. Psalm 112 describes what a righteous person looks like, saying he or she is someone who fears the Lord, delights in His commands, and lives with generosity, mercy, and justice. Yet Scripture also reminds us that no one is naturally righteous. Romans 3:10 says, “There is none righteous, not even one.”

This creates a problem. If no one is righteous, how can anyone live as Psalm 112 describes? The answer is found in Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life that we could not, and He took upon Himself the punishment we deserved. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, our sins can be forgiven, and His righteousness is given to those who trust in Him. When we put our faith in Christ, we receive new life through the Holy Spirit, who helps us to live in obedience to God. Romans 5 explains that just as Adam’s sin brought death to all, Christ’s obedience brings righteousness and life to all who believe.

To live as God’s people is not simply about behaving well or attending church; it is about being transformed by Christ’s Spirit. The church exists to worship God, serve others, and bring His message to the world. Psalm 78 reminds us of the importance of teaching God’s truth to future generations. The psalmist calls the people to remember God’s mighty works and to tell their children, so they do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Faith is not passed down by accident; it must be taught intentionally.

The call to reach the next generation is not only for parents or youth leaders but for the entire church. Every believer has a part to play in guiding young people toward faith in Jesus. The next generation is not “the church of tomorrow”; they are part of the church today. Their voices, service, and faith matter now.

The Israelites often failed because they forgot what God had done for them. They grumbled, doubted, and rebelled. Their forgetfulness led to faithlessness. Psalm 78 shows how they tested God and offered only surface-level repentance. They would confess when punished but quickly returned to sin. Their biggest failure, however, was neglecting to teach their children about the Lord. When one generation remains silent about God’s truth, the next grows up without faith.

As Christians, we must not repeat this pattern. The teaching of Scripture should be central in our homes and churches. Worship and study should be grounded in God’s Word, not in personal preference. Families should remember and share stories of God’s faithfulness, both from Scripture and from their own lives. This strengthens faith and helps children understand that God is active and real.

For a church to reach the next generation effectively, it must be united. The New Testament teaches that unity is not sameness but harmony among diverse people with different gifts. When believers are divided. This ma by by opinion, tradition, or personal comfort and it weakens our witness. Paul urged the church in Ephesians 4 to make every effort to maintain unity through peace, reminding believers that there is one Lord, one faith, and one God. Unity helps the church focus on its true mission: making disciples and proclaiming Christ.

Sometimes churches lose sight of this mission by focusing on preferences instead of principles. Scripture must guide our every decision, not habit or comfort. When the church unites under God’s Word and His purpose, it can reach generations with lasting impact.

Reaching the next generation requires the whole church. Some may teach, some may mentor, others may pray or give, but everyone has a role. Even small acts like praying for a child, baking cookies for youth gatherings, or supporting a ministry, can help share Christ’s love. The goal is not simply to make good people but to lead them to salvation in Jesus.

The message of Psalm 78 is still relevant: remember what God has done, teach it faithfully, and pass it on. Faith does not continue automatically; it grows through intentional effort. The church must take this command seriously. If we fail to share the gospel, we risk raising a generation that does not know the Lord.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you [c]always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19–20