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Don't Break The Chain
June 17, 2026 · 25 min
Make sure you entrust what you’ve learned to the next generation. But how? What does it look like to step into the lives of younger men today? Don't break the chain! Pass it on.
Series Disconnected Connectors June 17, 2026 · 25 min · Disconnected Connectors
Make sure you entrust what you’ve learned to the next generation. But how? What does it look like to step into the lives of younger men today? Don't break the chain! Pass it on. ...more Show the full description Show less Make sure you entrust what you’ve learned to the next generation. But how? What does it look like to step into the lives of younger men today? Don't break the chain! Pass it on.
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In this video 0:00 The Power of Connection and Mentorship20:10 Breaking Through Spiritual Plateaus
1:48 you to be or less? Choose wisely. Remember, lions run with lions. They don't run with hyenas. I love what George Washington said about friendship. He said, be
2:00 courteous to all, but intimate with a few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. Choose your friends
2:12 wisely. And we saw in our last session that a lot of men are reaching a place in their life when they know it's time for them to start equipping intentionally pouring into the next generation to pass on
2:24 what they've learned. What they've learned by weathering the storms of life, to to share some of the beauty they've seen from the mountain tops, to really start to pass on, to keep our faith going to
2:36 the next generation, to become a mentor or a guide. We're all intending to keep our faith moving forward. We don't wanna be the weak link in the chain. Do Do you guys remember
2:48 playing knockout or lightning? You know, you shoot free throws in a line and you try to make it before the guy in front of you does. But inevitably, at some point in the game, somebody starts making shots. And then the
3:00 next guy does and the next guy does and you string together 3 or 4 and and 1 of the kids will always call out, don't break the chain. What they're saying is make the bucket. Don't miss. We're
3:11 all making it. Keep it going. When it comes to the kingdom of God, brothers, the truth in scripture, calling out the purposes of King Jesus on earth. Here's my
3:23 encouragement. Don't break the chain. Keep it going. And we do this by investing in the next generation. And so for those of you who are saying, okay.
3:36 Okay. I'm in. I don't wanna break the chain. How do I do it? Where do I start? Well, like with everything, scripture is always the best place to start. Because there's actually quite a few examples of
3:48 this important kind of mentor style relationship, generational discipleship in the scripture. Where we see older men of faith, men more experienced calling younger men up, equipping them, sharing their lives with
4:00 them. And maybe the most famous of these relationships in scripture was a relationship between Paul and Timothy. I mean Paul. You know, the guy, the hero of the faith, the
4:11 ex Christian killer, now evangelist who who penned under the influence of the Holy Spirit the majority of the New Testament. The man charged by King Jesus to take the gospel of truth to the
4:23 Gentiles. But Paul understood this big mission God had entrusted him with. It was too big for him. It was gonna last too long for him. It was gonna extend beyond his time on earth. It
4:35 was way too big for the timeline of 1 man's life. So Paul started investing in others namely, Timothy. Paul didn't wanna break the chain. Because Paul understood
4:47 something that every man has to grasp. That every man we're gonna talk about today grasped and put into practice and that's this. Leadership, influence, even life itself,
4:59 they're all temporary assignments. They're temporary. They've got expiration dates. And while we know that only a fool actually thinks he's gonna live forever, the way that
5:11 we watch some men live just for this life, just for this earth, just for themselves, practically, they're living as foolish men who believe that their intentions are going to
5:23 go on forever. They need to start equipping the next generation showing that they recognize. I'm not gonna be here forever. I'm not gonna be able to do this forever intentionally investing in the
5:35 life of another. Taking in wisdom and then putting it into practice. And that's an important truth because wisdom doesn't mean anything if we don't act on it. All the
5:46 revelation in scripture is meant for application. God shows us something and then we're supposed to do something. So as we see the truth that we're supposed to invest in the next generation, let's be men that respond.
5:58 See, Paul had this intentional relationship with Timothy. And it followed a model I think that we can imitate. Paul equipped Timothy for the work. Paul then empowered Timothy to
6:10 go do the work. And while he did it, Paul encouraged him throughout the work. He encouraged him to continue. He equipped him. He empowered him. And then he encouraged him. He equipped Timothy. Right? And
6:22 this required FaceTime. I don't mean the video calling app on your iPhone. I mean life on life. Time in front of another dude. Paul invited Timothy to just come
6:34 along and be with him. He brought Timothy in. We can't equip people that we're not with. We can't lead guys that we don't spend time with. This is maybe the most inconvenient
6:46 reality about generational discipleship. It's long. It takes time. It's messy. It's slow. I spent a season of my life privileged, to work in international
6:58 Christian ministry with a ministry called Surah Fuhio or His Refuge. And the founder and I would travel together. Right? He had founded the ministry. This ministry did incredible things. They
7:10 rescued children out of unbelievably terrible situations. They spread the gospel. They fed people in these feeding centers. They equipped single women and widows and spoke to them of their worth and their value in
7:21 Christ, and it was transformational. But when I would travel with Scott, we would go to South America and we would visit our staff and he would introduce me to people. He would bring me in to meet new ministry partners,
7:32 and we'd pray together, we'd share meals together, some really good meals together. And all the while he was sharing wisdom and experience in life. I praise God for Scott Camandl and the season I got to spend
7:44 just being with him. You know, 20 years ago I was still a young businessman. I met a guy named Kenny Luck, the founder of Everyman Ministries. Kenny invited me
7:55 in. He invited me to come with him to a men's conference he was giving in North Carolina. Just brought me along. For a couple of days, we just we just talked. He would share what he was gonna teach. He would share what
8:05 God was doing. He just kinda brought me along. He kept doing this until the point when 1 day I would join him full time. It was just like Acts 16 3. It was the beginning of of a modern day Pauline
8:17 Timothy relationship. Paul had had seen that Timothy was a man of God. It says, so Paul wanted him, Timothy, to join him, to join him on their journey. That's Acts 16 3. You You wanna become a meaningful part of a
8:29 young man's life? Bring him along. Join him where he's at. Meet up with him. Start really simply. Start equipping him by teaching him how to read the
8:41 word of God. Get some good coffee together. Buy him some food. Young men love to eat. Pick a book of the bible and just walk through it. Don't go fast. Help him to see how the scripture will
8:53 reveal itself to him. Don't rush. Follow the discovery bible study model that Novo, an incredible international equipping ministry, helping to start and equip gospel movements all over the world
9:05 uses. 3 simple questions after you read the scripture. What does this passage say about God? What does this passage teach me about about me? And then what is god leading me to do about it? Teach them how to do this. Paul
9:16 equipped Timothy in a similar way. But then Paul's also empowered Timothy. You can't you can't raise someone up to do work and then never give them the opportunity to do the work. You gotta hand the keys
9:28 off and then don't ask for them back. Encourage him with stretch assignments. Maybe have him teach you guys parts of the scripture. Step out of the spotlight and let him step in.
9:40 And as soon as you see him take a step towards the goal, mimic Timothy's, relationship with Paul where Timothy received encouragement. Be an encourager. Pour encourage on
9:51 lavishly. Our world is so full of critique. We always wanna look at the gaps between where people are and where they should be that we never pause to look at how far they've come. When the man that you're walking with
10:01 takes a step towards the things of God, encourage that. When he shows up, encourage it. When he's read the word, encourage that. When he tells you about a conversation he's had with another guy about Jesus, encourage
10:12 him. Pour the spiritual gasoline of encouragement lavishly all over his life and watch the Lord set him on fire. I mean, maybe the perfect model of an equipping relationship
10:24 of a generational discipleship relationship of impact was between Jesus and the 12. For years, Jesus simply shared his life with the disciples. The relationship
10:37 preceded the change in their life or the charge that they would receive to take the gospel to the rest of the world. And the same is true in us. The relationships that we'll have have to be developed first.
10:49 Whenever we have rules and we start to tell them what they should do before we have a relationship, they'll just rebel. They'll just stiff arm the truths that you're giving them. They won't be able to receive it because
10:58 there's no relationship. Remember, what Jesus models for us is meant for us. And so he had this way of being with the disciples. Guys, there's that truth again. We're not
11:10 gonna live forever. And so it's time to start to impart those, to those the the things that we've been given. We gotta act intentionally, wisely.
11:22 But remember, it always starts relationally. An encouragement that I love from the life of Jesus that we see. Jesus encouraging us as we disciple is this, lead the
11:34 next generation so that they can walk wiser than you did. So they know more. Reveal the potholes in the landmines. Teach the next generation so that they know more than you did. Help them to get a head start
11:46 and then encourage them to go further than you did. Look what Jesus said to his disciples. This is King Jesus. He said, I tell you the truth in John 14 12. Anyone who believes in me will do the same
11:58 works I've done and even greater works because I'm going to be with the father. He was sending his holy spirit to empower them to take them further, but what he was saying was the mission has to keep going.
12:11 Unfortunately, today, so many leaders pause here. Maybe it's insecurity. Maybe it's a fear that they're gonna be overshadowed by the next generation but too many leaders today
12:23 are weary of helping the next generation be better. I don't know. I don't know. Like I said, I don't know if it's insecurity but they just don't empower Or they empower but then they take the power back. They kinda break
12:34 that chain of progress when they don't equip like they should. When they're more afraid that they're gonna be passed up or passed by but brothers, that's our goal. In this eternal, relay race of
12:46 of the kingdom of Jesus progressing forward, we want the next generation to be way better than we are, to go way further than we ever could dream. That's our charge. To help them
12:58 know Jesus better, pursue him wholeheartedly, to be more equipped for life in Christ than we were. That's how we preserve it. That's how we don't break the chain. Jesus knew it was the disciples and
13:10 not him that were gonna take the gospel to the known world. So he spent 3 years equipping 12 men and we've now had 20 centuries of transformation because Jesus passed on what he
13:22 had. Because Jesus equipped his men to equip the next generation. And Jesus only did that because he knew exactly who he was. Insecurity didn't even play
13:33 into it. Only the men who know who they are can get low and serve the next generation like they must. Insecure leaders withhold empowerment. Insecure leaders
13:45 care more about being the smartest guy in the room than passing on what they've learned to the next generation. When insecure leaders feel the spotlight fading, they try to cling to it instead of voluntarily stepping out
13:57 of it. But the man who understands his true charge, the man who's fully understood his true identity, he's free to get as low as he has to to lift the next generation up. Look at what it
14:09 says about King Jesus on the night he was betrayed. This is John chapter 13. Jesus knew that the father had given him authority over everything. He knew that he had come from God and that he would return
14:21 to God so he got up from the table. He took off his robe. He wrapped a towel around his waist. He poured water into a basin and he began to wash the
14:33 disciples feet. This is King Jesus. The highest of high descending to the lowest and low to the feet of his disciples. And it was only because he was completely secure in his identity and his
14:45 calling. He knew who he was. He knew his calling on this earth. He knew where he was going. And for that reason, he could wash feet. Only a man who knows his true identity in Christ. Only
14:57 a man so filled up with Jesus's love will he be secure enough to get low and lift the next generation up. Only a man who's humble like this can help the next generation
15:09 as we should. We'll be patient enough to sit and read the word with the man. We'll entrust responsibility to him. Only a man confident that the kingdom of God and its advancement is all that
15:21 matters will serve people like he's supposed to. But before you can serve him, you have to show up, guys. So many men get paralyzed in the I don't know who I would help train. I don't know
15:32 what it would look like when I get there that it keeps them from even connecting. Guys, maybe the most important truth, it's better to be present than perfect. Just show up. Sean Vargas is 1 of my very best
15:44 friends. He is often found modeling this very behavior. Sean knows God's word inside and out. He lives it out too, which is actually more impressive. Sean has been asked to teach
15:56 services at church. He's spoken at men's conferences. He was even a bible professor for a season. Sean knows his stuff. But the greatest impact God is having in his life and through his life these days,
16:08 it takes place at diners, takes place at beaches, and in coffee shops. Sean is always meeting with, equipping, and encouraging
16:20 younger men. And it always looks different. Sean is a spiritual father to so many. He's open about his faults. He tells the boys about the landmines that he stepped on, the places that he's blown it,
16:32 and the wisdom that he's gained from the Lord along the way. He's so patient. He's so consistent. He just keeps showing up. And the relationships are so unique. These kids are not
16:44 showing up for the answers to bible trivia. They're not looking for quick answers to fix their problems. See, it's different than being a teacher because Sean has become their guide.
16:56 It's like Brett Klamer, he's the CEO of Man in the Mirror. He said this, like a teacher, a guide is prepared. Like a mentor, he's experienced. And like a coach, he prepares you for the journey. Check this out. But
17:08 what's unique about a guide is that he then goes with you. A spiritual father is not distant merely pointing out the best path and then leaving you to navigate it. No.
17:20 He's there with you. This is what Sean does. Sean walks with these men side by side. He doesn't stand back and recite New Testament versions to these guys in Greek. He takes them
17:32 surfing. He eats breakfast burritos with them. He prays with them. He prays for them. He cries with them. He laughs with them. He checks in with them All throughout the week, he takes some shopping when it's time for
17:43 them to go off to college to buy stuff for their dorm room. The impact is undeniable. It's what we all must do. Show
17:55 up. Step in. Don't break the chain. Remember, what happens if we do? If we don't step in? If we just leave the next generation to figure it out on their own? We saw
18:07 that actually play out in scripture. 1 of the greatest leaders in all of scripture was Moses. Spoke with God face to face as a friend, was in charge of the entire nation of Israel. And then at some point, he
18:18 was humble enough to recognize, man, what I'm doing here is not good. Praise God, he had a a great father-in-law like I do who spoke wisdom into his life and said, you need to diversify here. And he said, okay. Part of
18:29 his efforts was he started intentionally investing in the life of Joshua. He brought him along with him. He entrusted him with strategic military outreaches. He brought him with him up to the mountain to receive the 10
18:40 commandments. Those those special communions in the tent of meeting. Moses brought Joshua in, taught him, equipped him, encouraged him. And it was time for Moses to go, Joshua stepped in. And the
18:52 people were blessed. He did not break the chain but How about Joshua? Who did he mentor? Right? When his time was growing thin, when it was getting to the end of his life,
19:04 who did he pour into? Scripture has no record of him pouring into anyone. Not equipping or encouraging. We don't see him giving himself away for the next generation. You know what the word says? Says it
19:16 took exactly 1 generation for the people of God to forget the Lord and the things he had done. Joshua, son of Nun, the servant of the Lord died at age a hundred and 10. That whole generation was also gathered to
19:28 their ancestors. After them, another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel. Simply put, brothers Joshua broke the chain. And in 1
19:39 generation, the movement was over. How could they have forgotten everything that God did? They may have begun with 1 man who was either too busy, too concerned, too
19:51 insecure, or too unaware to pass it on. But what does the next generation need to know exactly? When we get together, what are some of the things that we need to make sure we pass
20:03 on? Don't miss our final session in disconnected connectors. We'll we'll unpack just that.
Breaking Through Spiritual Plateaus
20:13 Greetings, men. Kenny Luck, founder of Everyman Ministries. You know, after 30 years of helping men in the mental health, pastoral, and coaching context, the 1 working assumption I've operated on is
20:24 this. Men, they're they're like icebergs. You only see the tip. Under the waterline of the image that they are projecting and the lives that they are living are massive spiritual, emotional, and relational
20:36 battles they recognize, but they're just not talking about. And it creates a dissonance. It creates spiritual plateaus. It creates unresolved tensions
20:48 within that start to eat away at their faith, eat away at their hope. It opens them up to spiritual attack and lies to the point where so many, if they were honest, would say, I believe in God and I believe his
20:59 promises are true, just not for me right now. Have you ever felt that or thought that? Well, here's the thing. So many men I counsel and coach say the same thing. I'm attending church. I'm reading my
21:11 bible. I'm going to men's group. I'm praying. But I'm not sensing or experiencing God the way I see it promised in the bible. You know, that abundant life that Jesus speaks of. I'm I'm not
21:23 breaking through, and I know there's more. I just don't know how to get there, and it's confusing me. It's affecting my relationships with God and other people. Now if you've ever felt the same way, if you've ever had
21:35 any of those thoughts, welcome to the club. As men, we go through different seasons of personal, professional, and, yes, spiritual life. And listen, that
21:47 calls for new Christ formation, new faith steps, new discoveries, and new thinking. You see, there's no big mystery here. The big wheels of life, of
21:58 relationships, Christ formation, and of fulfillment turn on the hidden axles of what the Bible calls your inner man. So when the Bible says, watch over your heart with all
22:10 diligence for from it flow the springs of life. It's not calling for new outer spiritual behavior management. It's calling for a new you. You say, how do you know, Kenny?
22:22 Because god called me personally into a new season of Christ formation after 25 years as a pastor and counselor. And you know what I needed? I needed a community of
22:34 brave brothers, of professional men who were spirit filled, and I needed a solid process and godly coaching to walk me into a powerful sacrifice, a place
22:46 of complete tenacity in my purpose, a place of growing authentic generosity, and a place of meaningful insight into myself first
22:58 and for other people. That's my promise land. What's yours? If you're like me and you want a new place of growth, if you want the dissonance to go away, if you want an inner breakthrough in Christ, if you want to
23:10 discover what is it that is holding you back spiritually versus continuing to say some narrative to yourself and other people, just lean in right now. There is a next
23:22 adventure in God and in life waiting for you. But the old thinking, the old victories you cling to, the old patterns of living, just the old thought processes
23:34 are not going to cut it in this next adventure God has for you. The promised land that he has for you. And that's why I'm inviting you into the every man promised land living experience,
23:46 where Christ formation advances in new ways, where the language of the heart is spoken, and where the enemy, he takes it on the chin and strongholds are broken.
23:58 You want your next adventure in Christ to begin? And fight the good fight like I did. Believe. God is at work. Register. Get into an every man promised land group. Our team of
24:09 trained coaches are eager to meet you and to start getting you prepared for the greater works of Jesus in and through you for this next season and adventure of life.
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