The Community's Responsibility: What Foundation Are We Building for the Next Generation?

Raising and educating the next generation is not the responsibility of parents and classroom educators alone. Every community has a part in shaping what children are taught, what they accept as truth, and what they come to believe about the world around them.

Children are surrounded by influences. Neighborhoods, community programs, libraries, churches, entertainment, educational institutions, organizations, and the adults they encounter all contribute to the foundation being established in their lives.

But we must confront a truth that many would rather avoid: there is a spiritual battle taking place over the minds and hearts of the next generation.

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. - Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)

Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:1–3 (NIV) that those who live in disobedience to God walk according to the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air. This is not simply a matter of people having different opinions or educational philosophies.

There is a spiritual influence behind the world's rejection of God's authority.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

Second Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) explains that the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.

Therefore, we must stop treating the rejection of biblical truth as though it is merely an innocent difference of perspective. When people reject God's Word and embrace worldly wisdom, we must recognize the spiritual deception Scripture warns us about.

Apart from the work of God opening blinded eyes and bringing people to repentance, humanity does not possess an independent ability to see, embrace, and submit to spiritual truth apart from Him. 

We are not called to follow our own understanding. We are called to submit to the authority of God.

But there is another matter we cannot overlook: those who claim to serve, protect, teach, and advocate for children must be examined by the fruit of their actions.

False Teachers and Their Destruction

 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. - 2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)

Second Peter 2:1–3 (NIV) warns about false teachers who introduce destructive teachings and exploit others through fabricated stories.

Rebuking Those Who Fail to Do Good

 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. - Titus 1:10–11(NIV)

Titus 1:10–11(NIV) also addresses those who teach what they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain.

This means that a position in education, childcare, ministry, or community leadership does not automatically make someone trustworthy. A title, degree, organization, reputation, or claim of serving children does not excuse teachings and practices that contradict God's Word.

We must be willing to ask: Are people genuinely serving the children and families entrusted to them, or are they using those responsibilities, relationships, and positions for their own interests?

True and False Prophets

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15–20 (NIV) to watch out for false prophets and recognize them by their fruit. Their claims are not the standard by which we judge them. Their fruit is.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Jesus also illustrated the importance of foundations in Matthew 7:24–27 (NIV).

The wise builder hears His words and puts them into practice. The foolish builder hears but does not put them into practice. When the storms come, only the house established on the rock stands.

This warning applies to every environment in which children are being raised and educated.

Public schools, private schools, childcare centers, preschools, homeschool communities, churches, and community organizations are not exempt from examination. No institution should be beyond the scrutiny of God's Word.

I am committed to being obedient to the Father's will, not to gaining approval from people or protecting institutions that promote worldly wisdom over biblical truth. I will confront teachings that contradict God's Word, expose false foundations, and point others toward the foundation established by Jesus Christ.

This is not a call to attack people or destroy buildings. It is a call to stop accepting deception, stop excusing disobedience, and stop allowing familiar and respected institutions to operate without examining what they are teaching.

And this examination must begin with us.

We cannot demand that others demonstrate biblical love while refusing to practice it ourselves. We cannot speak against dishonesty while acting dishonestly, demand humility while operating in pride, or teach forgiveness while refusing to forgive.

We must examine our own hearts, motives, actions, and the fruit we produce.

The next generation does not need adults who simply know how to teach, organize, lead, or influence. They need adults who are willing to submit to God's Word and put it into practice.

 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.”- Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

The Great Commission does not call us to make disciples of worldly wisdom. Jesus commands us to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV).

Community, we cannot claim to care about the next generation while knowingly contributing to foundations that lead them away from the truth.

Let us stop measuring the value of our institutions by their reputations, credentials, programs, and accomplishments. Let us examine what they teach, whose wisdom they follow, what fruit they produce, and whether their practices honor God.

The foundation has already been established by Jesus Christ.

The question is whether we will hear His words and put them into practice.

Reflection: Am I genuinely serving the next generation according to God's truth, or am I participating in the very worldly influences that are leading them away from Him?