Throughout the Bible we see that God is not just interested in those of us who are around today, but also about those who will come after us—the future generations.
One important role as a Christ-following influencer is to ensure the generation behind us is prepared and developed to follow Christ and to help others do the same. In other words, we are to be thinking of “baton passing”! In the business world, it’s called “succession planning.”
Looking back to the Old Testament, Moses must have had “baton passing” on his mind when he brought Joshua with him up Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments:
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God (Exodus 24:12,13 NIV, emphasis added).
As you may remember, Joshua became the Israelite’s leader after Moses.
In Psalm 71:17,18, David talked about preparing the next generation too:
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come (NIV).
When Jesus came, He prayed not only for His disciples, but for those who would come behind them (that includes you and me!):
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message … (John 17:20 NIV, emphasis added).
Paul continues the theme and instructs Timothy:
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:1,2 NIV, emphasis added).
Are you preparing to pass the baton? It’s how we join God in His generational purposes.
Who in your life could take the torch from you when you’re gone? What can you do to prepare them for that day?