Over the past year, we’ve written and talked about discipleship several times as a men’s ministry. Those conversations have centered on being shaped as men of faith - growing in discipline, obedience, humility, and devotion to Christ. This week, I wanted to build on that foundation and focus on another critical aspect of discipleship: intentionally pouring into the younger lives the Lord has entrusted to us.
Recently, our small group had the privilege of dedicating baby Daniel Farkas. During that time of prayer, something his grandfather said deeply impacted me. As he prayed, he referenced the prophet Daniel from Scripture - pointing out that even at a young age, Daniel was already a man of strong conviction and resolve. That statement has given me pause. Daniel arrived at that moment in Babylon spiritually mature. Scripture doesn’t give us the full backstory, but it’s hard to imagine that kind of conviction appearing without influence. There had to be someone - or several people - who invested in his life early on. People the Lord used to shape, mold, instruct, and model faithfulness long before Daniel ever faced the pressures of exile in a corrupt and pagan country.
I’ve been mulling over that idea since the dedication and thinking more deeply about discipleship, especially as it relates to pouring into young lives beyond just my own children. To be direct, discipleship has been difficult for me. Life is busy. Responsibilities pile up. Distractions are endless. Time and having margin in the schedule feels scarce. And yet, isn’t it interesting how often the most important things in life can typically be some of the hardest to prioritize?
When I read the stories of some of the men and women in Scripture - I’ve often focused on the finished product: the bold faith, the obedience, the courage. What I haven’t always stopped to consider is the unseen investment behind the scenes. The years of teaching, correction, encouragement, prayer, and real life examples that likely shaped these individuals long before we get to the point in their lives that we read about in the Bible. I often see the “sharpened iron” in Scripture, but rarely stop to think about the steady “grinding” of the other lives the Lord used to make it so. Those unknown individuals who were part of the grinding work were deeply fruitful. And yet, in my own life, I sometimes struggle to maintain the perspective that the Lord is faithful, and that the quiet grinding work we do unto Him is never wasted.
Scripture is clear that Jesus highly values young lives. He commands His disciples not to hinder children from coming to Him, declaring that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Luke 18:16). When the disciples argue about greatness, Jesus places a child before them and uses that moment to teach humility, dependence, fighting against the natural man’s pride and desire for exclusivity, and the seriousness of leading young ones well (Matthew 18:1–6). Elsewhere, Scripture reminds us of the long-term impact of early instruction: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he grows older he will not abandon it” (Proverbs 22:6).
I encourage you to be intentional. Invest the time our young ones need to see faith lived out in our walk with Christ, not simply talked about. God has entrusted each of us with influence - leadership that carries responsibility - and He calls us to steward it faithfully.
Questions for Reflection and Challenge This Week
- Who were the men or people God used to disciple you early in your faith, and how did their investment shape who you are today?
- In this current season of life, who has God entrusted to you - children, teens, or younger men - who may be watching your faith more closely than you realize?
- What practical barriers (time, fear, busyness, uncertainty) tend to keep you from engaging in intentional discipleship, and which of those need to be surrendered to the Lord? Or asking the Lord to step in and help make it possible to pour into the lives that you see He’s entrusted to you?
- What would it look like for you to take one small, intentional step this month toward pouring into a younger life - through presence, prayer, and/or invitation?
When future generations look back, what kind of spiritual legacy do you hope your faith and obedience helped shape in them?
May we be men who not only grow in our own walk with Christ, but who faithfully invest in the lives God places in our care - trusting Him to use our obedience in ways we may never fully see this side of heaven.
Written By: Lee Miles
