This month on NewHopeDigital.com we’ll be focusing on discipling tomorrow’s leaders, the youth of today. We return to the word discipling, echoing June’s theme related to disciple making at home and abroad. We want to disciple young people to grow into the men and women God wants them to be, so they will disciple others who disciple others who disciple others. A vibrant, infectious, obedient, joyful, domino-like cascade of people worshipping the Father in spirit and truth.

This is the key to spiritual renewal and kingdom expansion in our country and around the world. It’s the critical concept driving the explosive growth of the church today among certain peoples in China, India, and other regions. Because disciples can be lovingly nurtured, taught, and mentored in all kinds of contexts (a church building, yes, but also in homes, caves, prisons, factories, and slums) with no financial resources required, the movement is unstoppable. The way God planned it.

All that’s necessary is one willing and faithful believer, another person to disciple, God’s power released through prayer, and His Word (whether that’s in print; on tape, CD, or MP3; or hidden in the heart and retold.)

This is our critical commission and the ingredients necessary to begin. Pretty simple. Pretty daunting. So, if all that’s necessary for reaching the next generation is believers, the Bible, and prayer (my assumption is that they will group together into New Testament churches), then why blog, tweet, podcast, write, speak, and publish?

It is true that the requirements for fanning the flame of faith in the next generation are wonderfully simple. We should deeply consider this truth and focus on what is most critical. Returning to Christ’s methods for kingdom growth will surely require some changes in our current church culture.

But that does not mean all Christian publishing should cease. Far from it. The way I see it, we have a responsibility to heap more and more fuel on the fires of faith so the flames will rise higher and higher, reaching more and more people.

On what basis do I say this? First, in the US context, we enjoy the free exercise of religion, as well as freedom of speech and of the press. (Happy July 4th!) We must steward these freedoms for the advancement of the gospel. They are not ours to squander on our own comforts. Making wise and strategic use of our resources, we should publish as much God-honoring material as possible in as many ways/formats as possible to reach as many generations as possible.

Second, I trust our authors are called to teach and write and speak. I trust they have received these callings from God. They can be used by Him to encourage, bless, sharpen, comfort, and convict readers and listeners. They can spur us on to good works in Christ. They can help us see and savor Jesus. They dare not neglect their calling.

Therefore, we will continue to publish gospel-centered, missions-driven material. I hope you will be strengthened by this month’s content. Some highlights are: