“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). The perfecting of our faith is both taught and caught. As we mature in Christ, there are truths that we learn and others that we embody or practice.
As a Black girl, I grew up attending small churches in South Carolina with my family. At several of them, young and old would sing in the choir or proclaim the good news from the pulpit.
As a child, we didn’t just recite Easter Sunday speeches; we also served as ushers. Literally, they gave us badges, and we wore uniforms as we welcomed the saints of God. When we weren’t serving, we attended Sunday school, or vacation Bible school in the summer, or sang in the children’s choir. I didn’t know a lot of Scripture then and wasn’t sure if I were saved, but I was close to God. I knew my church and our people.
I knew what was perceived as reverent behavior: sitting quietly in the pews and not being disruptive in the Lord’s house. I knew what felt normal: looking down the pew or across the aisle and seeing my grandparents, a grand aunt, my mother, a cousin or a friend who was just as true as our blood. I knew what was unacceptable or undisciplined: eating, talking or chewing gum during the service.
Some may read these sentences and think that I’m talking about religion, fundamentalism or vain tradition, or how children are forced to participate in a lot of church “activity.” However, I never felt forced to do any of it. It all felt like love and safety to me. It was who we were—simple people who went to church and worshiped, who served our community, who had standards and who offered God our best whatever that looked like. I didn’t realize it then, but I was being discipled. I was being taught and trained in the ways that God’s people become a spiritual family who honor and worship the Lord. I was learning spiritual rhythms within community, which created a lived theology that formed and changed the trajectory of my life.
The older I get, the more I realize the importance of not despising these humble beginnings. As I witness the loss of so many elders, I appreciate the impact of their service and faithful witness of the gospel throughout my life. As a parent and nonprofit leader who is committed to mentoring and discipling the next generation, I witness the results when young people lack the intergenerational relationships and spiritual rhythms that formed my childhood.
And I am reminded of the warnings and admonishments of Israel who forgot the Lord’s command to “teach their children, so the next generation would … tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands” (Ps. 78:5–7). We teach our children through our words and our actions. Consistently and intentionally practicing spiritual rhythms within community and across generations matters (Deut. 6:1–2, 31:9–13). The faithfulness of those actions can have an impact for generations long after we are gone (Exod. 20:5–6).
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Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is the visionary founder of Leadership LINKS, Inc. and the author of A Sojourner’s Truth and Mentor for Life.