We talk of living by faith and keeping our faith. How do we pass it on?

Each of us can learn how to do it. The Bible shows us the process clearly in the lives and ministries of (1) Jesus, as he passed the baton to his disciples, and (2) the apostle Paul, as he passed the baton to companions like Timothy and Titus.

We pass the baton of faith much like people pass a physical baton in a relay race:

Each, we embrace into the race.
We run before and set the pace.
They run beside to match our stride
And take what we release with grace.
We watch with love. They run ahead.
We pray for them until were...no longer able to.

Embrace for the race. Set the pace. Release with grace. We must do all three. There are no shortcuts. If we try to skip one or we flounder or misstep with any of the three, we drop the baton. Let's discuss them one at a time.

I. Embrace for the race. This first step is so simple it is often forgotten. But it is crucial. We do it one-on-one, face-to-face, and we must do it with each person we want to pass the baton to. What does it mean?

Jesus did it by looking people in the eyes and saying simply, "Come, follow me." That formula is hard to beat, but it works only if you are going somewhere.

Paul recruited many coworkers. We know how he treated them by the way he spoke to Timothy. He called him "my true son" and "you, man of God." He spiritually embraced and adopted Timothy, and made it clear how he saw Timothy and his calling to serve.

Younger lives around you are hungry for you to embrace and challenge them just that way. Are you assuming they will somehow follow you without being asked? Or know that you care without being told? Are you just hoping someone else will run with them?

The Avanti Italia program based here is not the only or the best way to call young adults to ministry, but it is one way to call people to serve in ways they might never have considered otherwise. "God can use you!" is a message everyone needs to hear.

Perhaps our youth leave the church because no one cares enough to embrace them.

This week, tell the young people in your life that you see them as your spiritual children and that you believe in them. Say, "I am so glad we are running together in this Christian race. Your faith encourages me. I know God will do great things with you and I want to help you any way I can. Please tell me what you need and follow me as I follow Christ."

Then watch their faces light up.

Gary and Jennifer Williams
Florence Bible School
Italy