Tell the Coming Generation

What does it actually look like to raise children in the faith? In this message, Pastor Jacob Eastman opens the ancient Jewish declaration known as the Shema — Deuteronomy 6:4-9 — and draws from it a deeply practical and theologically grounded vision for Christian parenting. The Shema has shaped Jewish family life for thousands of years, and Jesus himself quotes it as the greatest commandment. But it is more than a religious formula. It is a call for every Christian household to become a place where children grow up rooted in the Word of God, shaped by genuine faith, and equipped to live well in the world God made. Using Luke 2:52 as a framework — "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" — this message explores what it looks like to help our children grow in each of those four dimensions: wisdom, stature, and favor with both God and man.

This is not a parenting lecture full of ten-step programs and guaranteed outcomes. It is an honest, pastoral conversation about the heart behind Christian parenting. You will hear why rooting your instruction and discipline in scripture changes both the parent and the child. You will consider what it means to prepare — not just enjoy — the child God has placed in your care, and why praying for the adult your child is becoming matters as much as managing the child they are today. You will be challenged to examine what your home's daily rhythms actually communicate about priorities, and you will be encouraged by the truth that the same God who shaped Jesus in the home of Joseph and Mary is present and faithful in yours. Whether you are a seasoned parent, a new one, a grandparent, or someone who simply loves the next generation, this message has something for you.

If this message resonated with you and you have questions about faith, family, or what it means to follow Jesus, we would love to connect. Visit us in person at Fellowship Baptist Church in Barboursville, WV — our pastors and deacons are available after every service and would be glad to speak with you. You can also reach out through the Fellowship Baptist Church app. We invite you to explore the companion five-day devotional series available alongside this message, designed to carry the themes of wisdom, stature, and favor from Sunday all the way through your week at home.