Generational Impact

Generational Impact

There was a moment years ago that stuck with me.

A mentor of mine pointed across the room and said, “That person over there is my grandchild in Christ.”

I’ll be honest—I didn’t get it at first. So I asked him to explain.

He smiled and walked me through it. It was simple, but profound. He had poured into someone. That person had poured into someone else. And now, there stood the third generation—his “grandchild” in the faith.

Immediately, 2 Timothy 2:2 came to life in a new way:

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

This isn’t just about learning—it’s about multiplication. It’s about generations.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago.

I’m always grateful when someone says, “Let’s get a picture.” I don’t do it enough, but this time I’m so glad we did. Because what we captured was something rare and meaningful.

In one photo stood four generations:

•	Dave — my leader in high school, my father in Christ

•	Me

•	Chris — someone I led in high school, my son in Christ

•	Jeff — someone Chris is leading, my grandson in Christ

Four generations. One moment. One picture.

It wasn’t planned. We just happened to all be in the same place at the same time. But it was a snapshot of what discipleship is supposed to look like.

And it got me thinking…

Who is pouring into you?
Who are you pouring into?
And who are they pouring into?

Because the mission was never meant to stop with us.

I once heard about a man at Washington State University who discipled students every year. But at the end of the year, he had a unique “test.”

He would ask each of his disciples to bring three people they were discipling.

Then he would sit down with those three and ask them questions—not to evaluate them, but to evaluate whether his disciple was truly passing on what mattered.

Questions like:

•	What Scriptures have you learned or memorized because of your mentor?

•	Do you attend church with them?

•	Are there books you’re reading because they recommended them?

•	What challenges have they given you?

•	How often do you meet for intentional study—and how often do you just do life together?

It’s a sobering thought.

What would people say about you if they were asked those questions?

Even writing this, I feel challenged.

Because this kind of intentional investment doesn’t happen by accident. It takes time. It takes consistency. It takes choosing people over convenience.

But here’s the encouraging part:

This generation is hungry for it.

They don’t just need it—they want it.

They are looking for someone to guide them, invest in them, walk with them, and challenge them.

So maybe the real question isn’t if we should disciple…

It’s whether we’ll choose to.

Because one day, you might find yourself standing in a room, pointing across it, and saying:

“That person over there… is my grandchild in Christ.”

And there is nothing more powerful than that.