They’re Watching: Leading the Next Generation by Example
1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
We live in a world that constantly tells us what’s important. A world that demands our attention and time—from screens and sports to home projects, careers, and even good things like Christian podcasts or inspirational content online.
But in all of that, how often do we stop to ask: What are we showing our kids matters most?
We chase the latest tech, the new car in the driveway, or a fancy new tool that might help “just in case.” We hustle to check off to-do lists, get ahead at work, or stay current with what’s happening in the world. But at the end of the day, what are we really modeling for our children?
Because whether we realize it or not, they’re watching.
Our lives preach sermons every day—whether we say a word or not. The way we spend our time, how we speak to others, how we handle disappointment, how we treat people who can’t do anything for us… it all speaks loudly to the kids who are growing up around us.
And many times, our loudest message is that faith is optional or that a relationship with Jesus is something to “fit in” if there’s time.
But what if we flipped the script?
What if we lived like our spiritual life was the foundation everything else rested on—because it is? What if we were intentional about putting Jesus at the center of our schedule, not just our Sunday?
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 reminds us that age doesn’t limit the ability to lead. In fact, God calls young people to be examples—not in the future, but right now. But here’s the catch: kids can’t become what they don’t see. If we want them to lead well, we need to lead them by example.
The next generation is here—and they’re watching how to follow Jesus.
And I’ll be the first to admit: I haven’t always gotten this right. Not even close. There are days when I spend more time in front of a screen than I do in prayer. Weeks where the only reason I touch my Bible is to move it off the counter. Moments when I speak out of frustration instead of grace. Times when I’ve prioritized everything but spiritual leadership in my home.
This isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about looking in the mirror. I’m not writing from a place of having it all together. I’m writing as someone who’s learning, often the hard way, what it means to lead well. And I know that I can’t call my children or the kids in our church to something I’m not actively pursuing myself.
If our Bibles stay closed, not only do we notice the growing dust on them—but these kids notice it too.
If church is something we only attend when it’s convenient, they notice.
If our faith is compartmentalized—Sunday-only or surface-level—they notice.
They need more from us.
They need to see what real love looks like.
They need to see how faith holds up under pressure.
They need to hear prayers that aren’t rehearsed but real.
They need to watch us forgive people who’ve hurt us.
They need to know purity isn’t just about rules, but about living fully and freely for God in the good times and the bad ones.
That’s the kind of life Paul was urging Timothy to live—and it’s the kind of life we’re called to live in front of our kids.
We often say, “Kids are the future of the church.” That’s true—but they are also part of the church right now. And their ability to grow into strong, rooted believers begins with the seeds we plant today.
If we don’t lead them to Jesus, the world will lead them somewhere else.
If we don’t teach them to love truth, culture will teach them to question everything.
This generation is not too young. They’re not incapable. In fact, they’re often more open to the things of God than we give them credit for. But they need us—parents, leaders, and mentors—to be bold enough to live what we say we believe.
Let’s stop underestimating what God can do in their lives. Let’s stop overestimating how much time we have to get it right.
Let’s start showing them what it really means to walk with Jesus—so they’ll know how to do the same.
Because one day, they won’t just follow our example…
They’ll become it.
For His Glory,
Mike Meyer
We live in a world that constantly tells us what’s important. A world that demands our attention and time—from screens and sports to home projects, careers, and even good things like Christian podcasts or inspirational content online.
But in all of that, how often do we stop to ask: What are we showing our kids matters most?
We chase the latest tech, the new car in the driveway, or a fancy new tool that might help “just in case.” We hustle to check off to-do lists, get ahead at work, or stay current with what’s happening in the world. But at the end of the day, what are we really modeling for our children?
Because whether we realize it or not, they’re watching.
Our lives preach sermons every day—whether we say a word or not. The way we spend our time, how we speak to others, how we handle disappointment, how we treat people who can’t do anything for us… it all speaks loudly to the kids who are growing up around us.
And many times, our loudest message is that faith is optional or that a relationship with Jesus is something to “fit in” if there’s time.
But what if we flipped the script?
What if we lived like our spiritual life was the foundation everything else rested on—because it is? What if we were intentional about putting Jesus at the center of our schedule, not just our Sunday?
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 reminds us that age doesn’t limit the ability to lead. In fact, God calls young people to be examples—not in the future, but right now. But here’s the catch: kids can’t become what they don’t see. If we want them to lead well, we need to lead them by example.
The next generation is here—and they’re watching how to follow Jesus.
And I’ll be the first to admit: I haven’t always gotten this right. Not even close. There are days when I spend more time in front of a screen than I do in prayer. Weeks where the only reason I touch my Bible is to move it off the counter. Moments when I speak out of frustration instead of grace. Times when I’ve prioritized everything but spiritual leadership in my home.
This isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about looking in the mirror. I’m not writing from a place of having it all together. I’m writing as someone who’s learning, often the hard way, what it means to lead well. And I know that I can’t call my children or the kids in our church to something I’m not actively pursuing myself.
If our Bibles stay closed, not only do we notice the growing dust on them—but these kids notice it too.
If church is something we only attend when it’s convenient, they notice.
If our faith is compartmentalized—Sunday-only or surface-level—they notice.
They need more from us.
They need to see what real love looks like.
They need to see how faith holds up under pressure.
They need to hear prayers that aren’t rehearsed but real.
They need to watch us forgive people who’ve hurt us.
They need to know purity isn’t just about rules, but about living fully and freely for God in the good times and the bad ones.
That’s the kind of life Paul was urging Timothy to live—and it’s the kind of life we’re called to live in front of our kids.
We often say, “Kids are the future of the church.” That’s true—but they are also part of the church right now. And their ability to grow into strong, rooted believers begins with the seeds we plant today.
If we don’t lead them to Jesus, the world will lead them somewhere else.
If we don’t teach them to love truth, culture will teach them to question everything.
This generation is not too young. They’re not incapable. In fact, they’re often more open to the things of God than we give them credit for. But they need us—parents, leaders, and mentors—to be bold enough to live what we say we believe.
Let’s stop underestimating what God can do in their lives. Let’s stop overestimating how much time we have to get it right.
Let’s start showing them what it really means to walk with Jesus—so they’ll know how to do the same.
Because one day, they won’t just follow our example…
They’ll become it.
For His Glory,
Mike Meyer
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