"1“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey." Deuteronomy 6:1-3.
In the passage above, Moses was speaking to the children of Israel who were about to enter the Promised Land. Forty years earlier their fathers witnessed God's power in Egypt. Now a new generation arose, and they are about to enter Canaan. These were the generations born during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness and those who were too small as at the time of the exodus. None of them knew God personally. Since a relationship with the Lord is not biologically transferred but must be believed and developed by every individual. Hence, He instructed Moses to teach them His ways. Moses was tasked to help the new generations understand who they were, where they came from, and what God has in store for them. He was to teach them to fear God, love Him, and obey His commandments with all their hearts. Moreover, God was concerned about future generations. He wanted them to succeed. The Almighty doesn’t want them to be a rebellious generation, but to display a heart loyal to Him. He wants His blessing to flow from one generation to another. So He assigned Moses to teach them. The older generation must teach the younger. Today we hold the baton.
So are you teaching your child(ren) the ways of the Lord? God wants us to reach out to the next generation. We should be concerned, not just about what happens in our time but also about the next generation, too. We must reach out to them! We have a responsibility to teach them about God. Each generation must bear witness before the next generation concerning God. We must strive to continually feed them sound biblical doctrine. The coming generations need us to show (not just tell) them how to honour, fear and love God. We are to be the example that points them to Christ.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” Proverbs 13:22.
An inheritance is not limited to money or materials things. You can bequeath to your children possessions, investment in real estate, and stocks in big organizations. But the greatest investment we can make in their lives is to teach them the ways of the Lord. A godly heritage is the most priceless gift you can pass on to your children and grandchildren.
"When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5.
Pastor Timothy’s faith was the result of having been raised by two godly people who had faith. He had the advantage of growing up with a godly heritage. Lois, his grandmother, was a woman of faith. She passed it down to her daughter Eunice, who imparted it to Timothy. Apostle Paul testifies that, Lois influence Eunice who later influenced young Timothy.
What are you passing on to your children? When you’ve departed this world, what do you want to be remembered for? What kind of legacy do you want to leave your children? What will your legacy be? What will the coming generation say about you? As you ponder these thoughts, it is my prayer that you'll examine your life and choose to leave a godly legacy. Some of us were not opportune to have godly parents. But, now is the time to change the course of our family histories. Let us not cause the next generation to miss out on knowing God. They must know God’s goodness and mercy. It’s time for us to arise and share our stories of hope and redemption. The generations you tell today are the ones who will tell the generations yet to come. They will tell their children about the Savior, and His story of grace because you share it every day. We must train the next generations to have unconditional faith in God. Because you put your trust in Him. Psalm 78:7. There is much falsehood proclaimed as truth today. We need to teach them to know the truth and to grow in it.
1. Your legacy begins in your relationship with God. You can’t raise children to know God if you don't know Him.
2. Train them. Proverbs 22:6. The home is the primary place for spiritual training and growth. It is where parents model being a Christian. Ephesians 6:4. Training is your utmost duty to ensure that your children know and serve the Lord.
3. Show love. Love your spouse first. The children are watching! Praise your children. Be involved in their lives and interests. Love and encourage them. Be intentional in letting them know that they are needed, appreciated and valued.
4. Be disciplined. Proverbs 13:24. Discipline doesn’t mean being overly harsh, however. Proverbs 29:15, 17.
5. Show them the example of forgiveness. They need to witness a forgiving response from you when you are wronged.
6. Pray for your children. They have many temptations that can distract them from the things of God. Pray for them.
7. Read the Bible as a family. This special time will be an opportunity to build a strong foundation of faith in your children and introduce them to God. Let them see you reading the Bible. Be sure to give them Bibles and read to them regularly. As these children grow older they are far less likely to stray away from God’s Word instilled in them.
8. Practice what you preach. Be an example. Be a model Christian.
9. Show them to stand firm in shaky times. The life of faith is not always an easy one! There will always be times of struggle where your faith is tested just like Israel’s was in the journey to the Promise Land! Our children and the next generations will be willing to stand firm if they see us standing firm in faith amid the unpredictable life's storms.
10. Point them to Jesus. Lead your children to Christ.
11. Don't hesitate to confront negative behaviours, attitudes, and habits, in their lives.
12. Listen to your children. Proverbs 18:13.
13. Introduce them to ministry. Serve God with your family. Give them opportunities early to serve. Make them responsible. Empower them early and often. Allow them to lead prayer, music, Bible studies and other activities.
14. Tell them stories about your salvation. Every child of God has a story. It's called a testimony! Are you passing on the story of what God has done in Jesus, and through Him in your life? Remind them that in God, they’re never alone and they’re never crushed. Tell them how God has worked in your life and remind them that He wants to work in theirs, too.
YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO FAIL IN THIS RACE:
"12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.
The Christian life is like a race! In this race, there will be moments when we feel like giving up. But you must stay focused! Even if your start was a little shaky, you have to stay focused and finish well. Difficult times will come, but with our eyes on the Lord, we'll cross the finish line. Running this race takes discipline, consistency, and effort. So keep running towards the finish line. Stay on course. And if you have slowed down, it’s time to move forward. If you are weary, tired, or discouraged, it's time to be refreshed and move forward. If you need a fresh start, God's willing to give you today! Generations yet to be born are counting on you to get it right with God. The generations ahead of us are cheering you to victory. And if you want your sins forgiven, there's grace for you today. Run to the cross now! God's waiting for you! Don’t delay. This is not a time to put off getting saved. There's a space at the Foot of the Cross for you. Don’t make any excuses. Drop everything and run to the cross of Christ today. Lay hold of the Son of God who loves you and who died for you. Lay all your sins on Him today. Trust Him as your Savior. Confess Him as Your Lord. Kindly say this prayer: O LORD, I come to You. I know I am a sinner, forgive me. Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus' name. Amen! Keep the faith till the end.
“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty works.” Psalm 145:4.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, thank You for calling me into the race for the crown that will last forever, in Jesus' name.
2. O Lord, help me to faithfully prepare my children to know You and love You, in Jesus' name.
3. Father, help me to teach the truth of Your Word to my children, in Jesus' name.
4. O Lord, protect the hearts and minds of our children, in Jesus' name.
5. Father, give me the grace to speak to the younger generation of Your love, in Jesus' name.
6. Thank the Lord for answering your prayers.
