Overview:
From Genesis to Revelation, the command to reproduce from one generation to the next is a thread that runs through Scripture. Generational thinking is rooted in the promises of God. God’s plan for reaching the nations launches with His promises to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 and carries on to fruition in Revelation 5:9 and 7:9 with the nations before the throne.
The very first command ever given to people in Genesis 1:28 was to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…” The goal was for God’s glory to fill the earth. God’s desire for his people has not changed since then. Jesus echoed this first command when he told his followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28.19).
The command is not just to produce the next generation, but to teach them to become a people who are wholly committed to God. Initially this command was focused on physical generations that would live in wholehearted devotion to God; but with the coming of Jesus Christ, it became a command to reproduce spiritual generations as well. Using these reflections and prayer prompts, you will catch a vision for how raising up spiritual generations leads to blessing, fulfilment and a great promise that God has in store for all believers as they participate in God’s plan.
Dawson Trotman founded The Navigators with a vision for spiritual generations. In his message, “Born to Reproduce”, Dawson says, “A person is born again when he receives Jesus Christ… It is God’s plan that these new babes in Christ grow. All provision is made for their growth into maturity, and then they are to multiply – not only the rich or the educated, but all alike. Every person who is born into God’s family is to multiply.”
Our Navigators Calling carries on this vision for spiritual generations, “The calling of the Navigators is to advance the gospel of Jesus and His kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of labourers living and discipling among the lost.” Our goal to advance the gospel into the nations – we do so through spiritual generations of labourers.
We invite you to read these passages that focus on this great Biblical theme of reproducing spiritual generations through a dual lens:
- How can I utilise this vision for spiritual generations in my personal ministry?
- How can I share this vision to inspire and encourage the next generation?
Verses to Reflect On:
God’s Promise to Abraham and His Descendents
Genesis 17:1-7
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’ Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.'”
- Reflection: God’s promise to Abraham reveals His heart for spiritual generations—a legacy of faith that multiplies. How can you walk faithfully before God and trust Him to fulfil His promises through you?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for a deep trust in God’s promises, and for faith to invest in others who will carry the gospel to future generations.
Genesis 22:17-18 (see also Galatians 3-4)
“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
- Reflection: God’s promise to Abraham underscores His intention to bless all nations through spiritual generations of faith. How is God calling you to obedience that might result in blessing others and advancing His kingdom?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for a heart of obedience to God’s leading and for your life and ministry to contribute to His work of blessing all nations through the gospel.
Physical and Spiritual Generations Through Families
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
- Reflection: Passing faith on to the next generation starts with loving God wholeheartedly and sharing His Word daily. What practical steps can you take to model this love and obedience to others?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for God’s help to prioritize His Word in your life and conversations, and for wisdom in sharing this with the next generation.
Psalm 78:4-7
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done… so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.”
- Reflection: God’s works are meant to be remembered and shared with the next generation. Who can you intentionally encourage by recounting God’s faithfulness?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for a heart overflowing with gratitude for God’s faithfulness and for boldness to share those stories to inspire faith in others.
Psalm 145:4-7
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”
- Reflection: Sharing God’s works brings praise to Him and inspires future generations. How can you make God’s majesty known to those around you?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for a deep awareness of God’s works in your life and for opportunities to share His greatness with others.
Isaiah 59:21
“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. ‘My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever.’”
- Reflection: God’s Spirit empowers the continuation of His Word through generations. How are you depending on the Spirit to keep His Word alive in your life and ministry?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for the Spirit’s presence to guide your words and sustain His work across generations through your life and ministry to others.
Christ’s Investment In A Few (Training The Disciples)
Matthew 28:18-20 (see also Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
- Reflection: Jesus commissions us to invest in spiritual generations by making disciples of all nations. Who is God calling you to invest your life in, and how can you equip them to disciple others?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for clarity in identifying those to disciple and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in teaching them to follow Jesus.
John 17:18-20
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”
- Reflection: Jesus’ prayer for future believers shows His vision for spiritual generations multiplying through His disciples’ lives and message. How can you embrace being sent into the world to share His message and inspire others to do the same?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for faithfulness in your mission to make disciples and for God to work through your life to reach those who will believe in Him.
John 15:8, 16
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”
- Reflection: Bearing lasting fruit is central to Jesus’ mission for His disciples. How are you investing in fruit that remains for eternity?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for a focus on eternal impact in your life and ministry to others, and for God to produce lasting fruit through your life.
The Training of the Next Generation
2 Timothy 2:1-2
“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.”
- Reflection: Paul’s charge to Timothy highlights the intentionality needed to pass on the faith. Who can you entrust with the gospel message to multiply discipleship?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for strength in God’s grace and wisdom to invest in faithful individuals who will disciple others.
Colossians 1:28-29
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
- Reflection: Paul’s commitment to presenting others mature in Christ demonstrates the heart of spiritual generations. How can you labour with Christ’s energy to help others grow in maturity?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for strength and wisdom to disciple others toward full maturity in Christ.
3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
- Reflection: Seeing spiritual children walk faithfully in the truth brings deep joy. How can you celebrate and encourage others as they walk in faith?
- Prayer Prompt: Pray for joy in seeing others grow in Christ and for the wisdom to encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith.
Questions For Reflection
The first overseas Navigator missionary, Roy Robertson, shares this perspective, “Without such dynamic vision, meeting one ordinary person under mundane circumstances at an inconvenient time can seem like a small and troublesome chore… Yet in that one person lays the seed of many generations – the key to reaching the world.”
- Is the idea of spiritual generations a new thought for you? Explain.
- How has God’s promise of spiritual generations in these passages deepened your understanding of His desire to bless all nations?
- Think of your own story. Which individuals in your past invested in your spiritual life to help you mature to where you are today? Who is currently investing in you? How can you honour their influence by passing it on to others?
- Who has God brought into your life that you are currently investing in? Who is the next link in your generational chain?
- Based on what you saw in the examples of Jesus Christ and Paul, how can you begin or improve your involvement in raising up spiritual generations?
- Are there areas where God is calling you to step out in faith or obedience to multiply His work through your life?
- How can you align your daily choices and efforts with Jesus’ vision for reaching future generations through your witness?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises and the vision of spiritual generations that You’ve revealed in Your Word. Help me to live with a heart of obedience, faith, and boldness, trusting You to use my life to bless others and advance Your kingdom. Empower me by Your Spirit to invest in others who will carry Your message forward. May Your glory and truth continue to reach every nation, generation, and heart through Jesus Christ. Amen.
[24] Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him. – John 12:24–26 (ESV)