Change Takes More Than Your Lifetime (And You'll Probably Not Live to See It)

Every farmer understands a hard truth: when you plant a fruit or nut tree, you likely won’t be the one to enjoy its harvest. Trees take years—even decades—to mature and produce a meaningful yield. The same principle applies to real, lasting change in culture and society. If we want to see the world return to a biblical foundation, we must disciple and mentor teenagers today, even though we may never personally witness the full impact of our work.

The Cultural Shift Away from a Christian Foundation

I’m not claiming to have lived in the ‘good ole’ days’ but even since I was in school in the 1990s, our culture has rapidly shifted away even more from a Christian worldview. Public discourse, media, and education have increasingly distanced themselves from biblical values, replacing them with secular ideologies that prioritize self over God. Things that would never be seriously mentioned in public are now openly celebrated.  Morality, once largely informed by Scripture, has become subjective, with truth being redefined according to personal feelings rather than divine authority. Concepts like absolute truth, biblical marriage, gender roles, and the sanctity of life have been marginalized, while relativism and progressive morality have taken center stage.

This shift is evident in the way younger generations engage with faith. Even when I was a child, coaches and schools never scheduled events on Wednesday evening, and never on Sundays, because there were too great a percentage of families that prioritized church.  Currently, church attendance among teens and young adults has significantly declined, and many who were raised in ‘Christian’ homes struggle to reconcile their faith with the messages they receive from culture. Social media, entertainment, and education systems often promote ideologies contrary to Scripture, making it more challenging for young believers to stand firm in their faith. Without intentional discipleship and biblical mentorship, we risk losing another generation to cultural conformity rather than Kingdom-minded transformation.

Why Discipleship Has Never Been More Urgent

One of the greatest failures of recent generations, before me but mine included, has been the neglect of intentional discipleship. As fewer young people have been trained to see the world through a biblical worldview, society has drifted further from God’s design. Many Christians have settled into a passive faith, assuming that churches, youth groups, or Christian schools will take care of raising up the next generation. The ‘faith is a personal, private matter and I do not want to force it one anybody’ mindset has completely transformed into a ‘faith is something I hold loosely and dare not talk about it to anyone, much less train people to follow it.’  But the call to disciple is a personal, biblical mandate (Matthew 28:19-20).

When we fail to disciple young people effectively, we leave them vulnerable to being shaped by secular culture rather than the truth of Scripture. The result? Generations that know less and less about God, His Word, and their responsibility to carry His truth forward.

The Biblical Mandate to Train the Next Generation

Scripture is filled with commands to invest in the next generation:

• Psalm 78:4-6 – "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done... so that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children."

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children."

• 2 Timothy 2:2 – "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Each of these passages reminds us that faithfulness to God is generational. It must be passed down through intentional teaching and mentorship. If we don’t train teens today to become the disciplers of tomorrow, we risk watching biblical truth fade from culture entirely.

Training Teenagers to Be Leaders and Influencers

The world is actively discipling young people—through social media, entertainment, schools, and peers. If we don’t equip them with a strong biblical worldview, they will adopt whatever ideology is most aggressively presented to them. Above teaching them to understand Scripture and follow God’s standards, we need to teach them to be leaders!  We need to train them to be effective influencers.  It’s not a cliché:  Teenagers are not just the future; they are influencers now. Consider biblical examples of young people making an impact:

• David was anointed as king while still a teenager (1 Samuel 16).

• Daniel was taken captive as a young man but stood firm in his faith, influencing a pagan empire (Daniel 1-6).

• Timothy was a young pastor leading the early church, with Paul reminding him, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example" (1 Timothy 4:12).

These stories show us that teenagers are not merely future leaders; they are active participants in God’s kingdom now, and they are potential world-influencing, culture-shifting leaders. They need training, encouragement, and discipleship to grow into bold, biblically-grounded influencers.

Discipleship Is a Generational Investment

A farmer plants a tree not for himself, but for his children and grandchildren. In the same way, the discipleship of today’s teenagers is a long-term investment in the future. The work we do may feel slow and unnoticeable, but seeds take time to sprout, roots take time to strengthen, and fruit takes time to grow.

We may see small victories—teens growing in their faith, taking on leadership roles, and sharing the Gospel with their peers—but widespread cultural change takes generations. If we want to see a society that honors God, we must be faithful in planting now, trusting that the harvest will come later.

The Call to Christian Adults and Mentors

Parents, youth pastors, teachers, and mentors all share the responsibility of training up the next generation. Christian parenting is discipleship. It’s not just about raising good kids; it’s about raising godly leaders who will continue the work long after we’re gone.

So, what can you do today?

Live Hopeful

In a world filled with division, fear, and uncertainty, it’s easy to become discouraged. But as Christians, our hope isn’t rooted in the shifting tides of culture—it’s anchored in Christ. Living hopeful means choosing to see the bigger picture, trusting that God is at work even when things seem bleak. Teens need to see adults who refuse to get lost in cynicism or despair. Be a source of encouragement, speak life into tough situations, and remind young people that God’s kingdom is advancing, even if the news headlines say otherwise.

Model a Strong Biblical Worldview

Teens are constantly bombarded with conflicting worldviews—from social media influencers to Hollywood, to their classrooms. If we want them to develop a biblical worldview, they need to see one in action. This means aligning our daily choices, conversations, and priorities with Scripture. Do you handle conflict biblically? Do you demonstrate integrity in your work? Are you quick to extend grace and forgiveness? Faith isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we live. And teens are watching more than they are listening.

Engage in Intentional Conversations

Faith isn’t something that should only come up on Sundays. We need to weave it into daily life. Ask teens about their thoughts on cultural issues, media, or even what they’re struggling with in their faith. Create a safe space for honest questions, and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t have all the answers. Point them to Scripture, discuss what it looks like to follow Christ in today’s world, and encourage them to think critically about what they believe and why. A well-timed, meaningful conversation can shape their faith more than a hundred sermons ever could.

Train Them with Vital Leadership Skills

Biblical leadership isn’t about titles or positions—it’s about influence. And influence is built on skills like decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and discipline. These aren’t automatically developed; they must be intentionally taught. Equip teens to handle conflict, take responsibility for their actions, and lead with humility. Help them develop the courage to stand up for truth, the wisdom to navigate tough situations, and the discernment to recognize good leadership from bad. If we don’t train them, the world will.

Encourage Leadership Opportunities

The best way to prepare young people for leadership is to let them lead now. Give them responsibilities at home, church, or in their schools. Let them organize events, lead Bible studies, or take charge of service projects. Will they make mistakes? Absolutely. But that’s part of the learning process. Guide them, support them, and give them the freedom to grow. When teens realize they are capable of leading now—not just “someday”—they begin to take ownership of their faith and impact those around them.

Pray for Generational Impact

We may never see the full impact of our efforts, but God is working through every seed we plant. Pray for the young people you are investing in. Ask God to raise up strong leaders from this generation who will carry the gospel forward. Pray for wisdom in how you disciple, for opportunities to mentor, and for the courage to stay faithful even when change seems slow. Generational change doesn’t happen overnight, but every prayer, conversation, and investment adds up. Trust that God will use your faithfulness in ways you may never see.

By living this out daily, you’re not just influencing the next generation—you’re shaping the future of the Church.

The Kingdom Vision: A Forest of Faithful Disciples

Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom of God in agricultural terms—mustard seeds growing into towering trees, seeds landing on different soils, and fields ripe for harvest. Our role is to be faithful sowers, pouring into young people who will one day disciple others.

You may never see the full results of your labor. But one day, generations from now, a thriving, faithful church may stand because of the seeds you planted. Be faithful in the work today, knowing that God is the one who brings the harvest in His perfect timing.

If you’re in the Midlands area of South Carolina and have a high school student, I want to help you on your path to raise up quality leaders.  I started an organization called Teen Lead 360, where that is exactly our mission.  Check out our website at www.teenlead360.com to find out more. 

Seeds of Leadership: The Man Who Discipled a World-Changer

Logan sat in the back pew of the small church, fidgeting with the pages of his Bible. His mother, weary from long hours at the diner, had done her best to raise him right. She brought him to church every Sunday, prayed over him at night, and tried to instill in him a faith that would last. But Logan felt like an outsider—just another kid from a broken home, destined to drift through life without direction.

Then there was Mr. Jacobs.

Mr. Jacobs was a middle-aged man with a firm handshake and a warm smile. He had seen the loneliness in Logan’s eyes and decided to do something about it. He invited Logan to lunch after church one Sunday, and that simple meal turned into a weekly tradition. Over burgers and fries, Mr. Jacobs talked to Logan about life, faith, and leadership. He didn’t just tell Logan to be a good person—he showed him what it meant to be a leader.

“Logan,” he once said, “leadership isn’t about power. It’s about influence. If you live with integrity, people will follow.”

Logan took those words to heart. Under Mr. Jacobs’ guidance, he started taking small leadership roles in the youth group. He led Bible studies, organized service projects, and encouraged his peers to take their faith seriously. By the time he left for college, Logan had a fire inside him—a fire that refused to die.

At college, he joined a Christian club and quickly became its president. He didn’t just plan meetings—he cast vision. He discipled younger students, started prayer groups, and even organized campus-wide worship nights. Logan wasn’t just another college student; he was a leader in the making.

When he entered the workforce, Logan carried those same leadership principles into his job. He treated his coworkers with kindness, stood up for what was right, and never compromised his faith. Over time, he became a respected figure in his industry. More importantly, he led Bible studies during lunch breaks and had deep spiritual conversations with his colleagues. People listened to Logan because they saw something different in him—something real.

Logan got married and had three kids. He raised them the way Mr. Jacobs had raised him—in faith, integrity, and leadership. He discipled them, teaching them the same lessons he had learned. They grew into strong believers who impacted their own circles of influence.

But Logan wasn’t done.

Burdened by the moral decline he saw in his country, Logan ran for office. He started small—local government, then state leadership. Eventually, he won a seat in Congress. And there, in the halls of power, Logan did what he had always done—he led. He fought for policies that honored God, championed religious freedom, and spoke boldly about his faith. His influence spread far beyond anything he had ever imagined.

Thousands of lives were changed because of the way Logan lived. His faithfulness, integrity, and leadership rippled through generations. But it all started with one man who took the time to mentor a lonely boy in the back pew of a small church.

Mr. Jacobs never sought recognition, and he never saw the full impact of his investment. But he had planted a seed, and that seed had grown into something far greater than he could have imagined.

Real change takes time. But sometimes, it only takes one person to start it.