George Barna, who has directed this tracking research since the early 1990s, pointed out, “There are a several troubling patterns to take notice. First, although most Americans consider themselves to be Christian and say they know the content of the Bible, less than one out of ten Americans demonstrate such knowledge through their actions. Second, the generational pattern suggests that parents are not focused on guiding their children to have a biblical worldview. One of the challenges for parents, though, is that you cannot give what you do not have, and most parents do not possess such a perspective on life. That raises a third challenge, which relates to the job that Christian churches, schools and parachurch ministries are doing in Christian education. Finally, even though a central element of being a Christian is to embrace basic biblical principles and incorporate them into one’s worldview, there has been no change in the percentage of adults or even born again adults in the past 13 years regarding the possession of a biblical worldview.”
Moses mentored and discipled a younger man, Joshua. Moses also served with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the 70 elders. Similarly, emphasizing the mentoring and discipling of younger adults along with team ministry will go a long way in enhancing God’s testimony in a dark world. Mentors do the following with young people:
Teach the Bible and Pray the Blood of Christ
God told Moses to have Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders worship Him at a distance with Moses alone coming near to the Lord. When Moses recounted all the Lord’s words and ordinances, the people answered they would do all of them. He wrote down all Lord’s words and built an altar with 12 pillars for the 12 tribes. The young men offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. After Moses read the book of covenant to the people, they said “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!” Moses sprinkled the blood on the people as a covenant the Lord made (Ex. 24:1-8). Teach young people the Bible and pray the blood of Christ so they can understand and do God’s word.
Mentors Prioritize God’s Glory
The leaders saw the God of Israel and under His feet appeared pavement of sapphire as clear as sky. He was not angry at the nobles. They beheld God and ate and drank (Ex. 24:9-11). Leaders prioritize the experience of God’s glory.
Spend Time with God
The Lord told Moses that He would give him stone tablets for their instruction on the mountain. Moses came with Joshua his servant while Aaron and Hur were available for any legal matter. God called Moses from the midst of the cloud on the seventh day as glory dwelt on the mountain top like a consuming fire and was there 40 days and 40 nights (Ex. 24:12-18). Mentors who spend time with God help young people make God’s word foundational for their lives.
Generous of Their Time, Talent and Treasure
The Lord told Moses to raise a contribution of gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair, rams’ skins dyed red, oil for lighting, spices for anointing oil and for fragrant incense, onyx stones for ephod and breastpiece from every man whose heart moved him. Let them construct a tabernacle for God to dwell among them according to His pattern (Ex. 25:1-9). Those who are generous of their time, talent and treasure enhance God’s testimony in the world.
Equip Disciples to Represent Christ Beautifully to the World
They shall construct an ark of acacia wood 2 ½ cubits long, 1 ½ cubits wide and 1 ½ cubits high overlaid with pure gold inside and out. Make poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Put the testimony that God gives you into the ark. Make mercy seat and two cherubim of gold facing the mercy seat. God will speak of all His commandments above the mercy seat and between the two cherubim that are upon the ark of testimony (Ex. 25:10-22). Disciples’ lives represent a beautiful testimony of Christ to the world.
Release Disciples to Pray and Share God’s Word in the Marketplace
Make the table and poles from acacia wood overlaid with gold. The rings are to be close to the rim as holders for the poles to carry the table. Make dishes, pans, jars and bowls to pour libations of pure gold. Set the bread of the Presence on the table before Him at all times (Ex. 25:23-30). Disciples pray and share God’s word in the marketplace.
Invest in Mentoring Ministry to Allow the Church to Become Light in a Dark World
Make lampstand of pure gold with six branches from its sides. Make seven lamps to shed light on the space in front of it according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain (Ex. 25:31-40). A inter-generational and mentoring ministry allows the church to become light of Christ in a dark world.
The following strategies will allow the church to become the light of Christ in a dark world and enhance God’s testimony:
1. Teach young people the Bible and pray the blood of Christ so they can understand and do God’s word
2. Prioritize God’s glory by spending time with Him and being generous of time, talent and treasure
3. Equip disciples to represent Christ beautifully to the world
4. Release disciples to pray and share God’s word in the marketplace
5. Invest in an inter-generational and mentoring ministry to enhance God’s testimony in the world
