One Desire Fast is HMCC’s annual fast so we can start off the year hearing from God, both individually and as a church. This year’s theme is Locked In.
What if your greatest legacy is not what you build for yourself, but who you build into? Our fast has been about what God is building in us for the days to come. What if the perseverance you’re developing now is training for a faithfulness that echoes into future generations?
Our generation can change other generations. This is the simple principle found in 2 Timothy 2:2: “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.” This is discipleship in four generations: Paul to Timothy, to reliable people, to others. Look back to Day 9 – Gather for Discipleship on what we have learned and learn more from John Piper’s inductive study (How the Gospel Is Preserved for All Generations) on this verse.
This is the beauty of a multi-generational church. We are called to learn from and speak truth to one another across every stage of life (Titus 2:1-8). Whether we are high school students navigating the pressures of identity and belonging, university students wrestling with doubt and purpose, young professionals facing the grind of ambition and compromise, newly married couple or parents learning sacrifice and stewardship, mid-career leaders balancing influence and integrity – God has sovereignly placed us together. The unique perspectives, struggles, and wisdom of each season are a gift to the whole body (1 Corinthians 12:12-17). A young believer’s fresh passion can reignite and inspire people who have been walking with the Lord for a long time. An older believer’s steadfast faithfulness can anchor a young one’s doubts. Together, we reflect the full picture of God’s faithfulness across time.
How do we do this effectively, especially with a generation that seems skeptical or distant? The secret isn’t a secret. We highly recommend the Crossway article and podcast titled “The Secret to Reaching the Next Generation,” where pastor and author Kevin DeYoung outlines a timeless, Christ-centered approach. It’s not about mastering the latest trends, but about embodying the unchanging truth with conviction and love.
Here is the simple, powerful framework from the podcast:
- Grab them with Passion: Let them see that this faith matters to you. Your genuine zeal is more compelling than any perfect presentation.
- Hold them with Holiness: In a confused world, a life of genuine integrity and love stands out. Let your consistent character create a safe and compelling space.
- Challenge them with Truth: Don’t dilute the gospel. Speak the truth in love, even the hard parts. People crave authenticity.
- Amaze them with God: Ultimately, we don’t point them to a better lifestyle, but to a glorious, sovereign, and loving God. Lift their eyes to His majesty.
This is the work our fast prepares us for. The hunger we feel reminds us that what people are truly starving for isn’t relevance, but the substance of grace and truth. You are being strengthened to become a crucial link in God’s unbroken chain, reaching from the past and extending into a future you may never see.
Reflection and Application
- Look at the “four-generation” principle in 2 Timothy 2:2. In what specific ways can your generation be a bridge generation (receiving faithfully from those who taught you and intentionally investing in those who are younger)? Where do you see a gap that God might be calling you and your peers to fill?
- Kevin DeYoung’s framework focuses on passion, holiness, truth, and pointing to God. In your context, what do you believe the next generation is most skeptical of and most hungry for? How can your life or your takeaways from this fast credibly address both their skepticism and their hunger?
Prayer Requests – Latitude
- To grow in our commitment to and love for community and discipleship.
- To truly be light-emitting disciples in our schools and families so that we can reach the city.
- For God to raise up more Latitude Helpers, especially male helpers.
Click here for full devotional link and other pre-fasting materials!