A Bridge to the Future
October 19, 2025
What kind of legacy will we leave behind? In Luke 18:15–17, Jesus turns the world’s values upside down by welcoming children and declaring that the Kingdom belongs to them. A Bridge to the Future reminds us that the church is always one generation away from becoming a museum. Our calling is to see the next generation, invest in them today, and learn from their childlike faith. Legacy is not just what we leave behind—it’s who we raise up to follow Jesus. Love builds a bridge to the future when we pray for, serve with, and entrust leadership to those who will carry the gospel beyond us.
Passage
Luke 18:15–17
Principle
Love Leaves a ##Legacy##
Practice
- Pray for the ##families## of Aspire Church
- Give to the ##Bridge## ##Initiative##
- Serve in the ##Next## ##Gen## ministry or with ##One## ##More## ##Child##
Small Group Questions
HANGOUT
Who is someone (outside your family) who shaped your faith or values in a lasting way? What did they do that made such an impact? If you could leave one gift or influence for the people who come after you—whether family, friends, or community—what would it be?
HEAR
Read Psalm 78:1–8
- Why does the psalmist emphasize listening to and remembering the “parables” and “mysteries” from the past? What happens when a generation forgets the works of God?
- How do verses 5–7 connect God’s commands with the responsibility of parents and leaders?
- What does this teach us about passing faith to the next generation?
- Verse 8 warns against becoming like “their ancestors.” How can we learn from past generations without being bound by their mistakes?
Read Luke 18:15–17
- How does Jesus’ welcome of children illustrate the same principle as Psalm 78?
- What does it mean to “receive the kingdom like a child”? How does this challenge our instincts about strength, control, or legacy?
- In what ways is loving and prioritizing the next generation a direct reflection of the gospel?
Read Deuteronomy 6:4–9
- How does this passage expand our understanding of what it means to “tell the next generation” about God’s works?
- What role does the home play in passing on faith? How can the church come alongside families without replacing them?
- What practical habits might help you “impress” God’s Word on your children, grandchildren, or younger believers?
HUDDLE
Where do you see opportunities to “pass it on” in your life right now—whether to your children, grandchildren, or the younger generation in your church? What specific step will you take this week to invest in someone younger in faith? Pray together that God would make Aspire a church where love leaves a legacy.
Daily Reading
As you read, ask: What does this teach me about leaving a legacy of faith? How does this passage connect to the sermon “A Bridge to the Future” and Psalm 78?
- Day 1: Psalm 78:1–8
- Day 2: Deuteronomy 6:1–9
- Day 3: Joshua 4:1–9, 19–24
- Day 4: Judges 2:6–12
- Day 5: Luke 18:15–17
- Day 6: 2 Timothy 1:3–7; 3:14–17
- Day 7: Revelation 7:9–12
Passage to Memorize: Luke 18:16
Think Deeper
- Why do you think Jesus said the Kingdom of God belongs to children? What does that reveal about the kind of faith God values?
- Who invested in your faith when you were young, and how can you do the same for someone in the next generation?
- What might it look like for you to “share responsibility” with younger believers instead of simply “telling stories” about faith?
Suggested Resources
- Surprised by Hope, by N.T. Wright
- The Living Church, by John Stott
- Center Church, by Tim Keller
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB