God's Word is for Passing On

We have seen several passages from the Old and New Testaments about transmitting a Godly legacy. But ultimately the whole Bible is instruction for us to pass on.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14-17

These verses show a transmission of a Godly legacy. The encouragement is to continue in what has been taught. The implication is that Scripture has been used since being just a young infant.

Then the verses emphasize the benefits of Scripture. First, God inspired the Word. And these words are exactly what is needed to be learned and to correct our lives.

Do you study God's Word?

How do you encourage others to read God's Word? This is a part of passing on a Christian heritage.

Timothy is Proof

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5

Paul is writing to Timothy, his prodigy. Obviously either Paul had met Timothy's mother and grandmother or he had heard of their faithful training to Timothy. At any rate, Paul recognized this legacy of faith that had been purposefully transmitted.

Because his grandmother and mother valued their faith, they wanted to transfer this to Timothy. This letter from Paul served as proof to their successful transmission of faith. Their Godly heritage lived on in Timothy.

When I return to the church where I grew up, I often have members come up to me and speak of my grandparents and what good people they were. My parents still attend that church, and I'm sure they are reminded of this Christian heritage that started with my grandparents.

When I see people out and about, they often ask about my parents and will proceed to speak highly of them.

Has anyone ever commented about your legacy of faith?

Who did they mention passed this legacy on to you and why?

I can't help but think of a song that expresses what I hope will happen with my Christian legacy.

I pray that all who come behind me find me faithful.

Click here to listen to the song, Find Us Faithful

Example and Integrity

God's instruction isn't just for our offspring as we saw yesterday. The next two verses in the passage from yesterday encourages us more in this Christian heritage passing.

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8

We are to set an example. Let's face it. People pay attention to what we say but they also pay closer attention to see if our words match our actions. Are we living this Christian life that we teach about?

Our teaching should show integrity. Integrity refers to being one of character and honesty, being upright and righteous. Again we can't expect someone to listen to our teaching if we aren't of good character and possess the right morals.

Notice the last part of the verses above imply that we be so full of integrity that those who oppose us would be ashamed because they can't find a bad thing to say against us.

I believe this is speaking directly to me as I'm trying to pass along this Godly legacy. I can teach all I want but its effectiveness is related to the type of person I am. Whew. That's heavy with responsibility. This passage begs to have me examine myself to make sure my integrity is intact and then to remain way above reproach for those around me.

What comes to your mind as you read these two verses?

Not Only For Our Children

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled." Titus 2:1-6

Instructing in the ways of God is not only for our children. Look at the command here in the above scripture. The older generation is to instruct the younger generation. Then the verses get into specifics.

The first statement clearly states that it is our responsibility has Christians to teach what aligns with the Word of God and His commands. Some of the areas to instruct upon are in being self-controlled, pure, and loving those around us in the right way.

In my life this teaching was gained from those faithful Sunday school and training union teachers in my church as well as vacation Bible school experiences each summer. This education continued through my youth and into adulthood with the teaching of good Bible teachers and preachers. I've enjoyed and benefited from women in my church who have shared through church classes or studies.

So I'm not just responsible for transmitting this Christian legacy to my children but also to younger women coming behind me.

In what ways are you passing on your Godly legacy to the next generation other than your children? Please share. I know people could get ideas from your comments on ways they can instruct and mentor others in the ways of God.

For Our Children

The Old Testament isn't the only place we see God encouraging the continuation of His heritage. In the New Testament book of Ephesians parents and children are given specific instruction.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4

Notice that the tradition hasn't changed. Children are still to obey to ensure a long life.It is stated here that this is the first commandment with a promise attached.

However, this obedience to parents is given with the warning to the parents to bring them up in the Lord. In other words, it is the parents' responsibility to pass on this Godly heritage. And this isn't the use of whatever culture says is the "in" thing or psychology right now.

The only way that I can bring up children in the Lord is to study His training and instructions in His Word. Then I can make sure that my instruction and correction aligns with what God teaches.

How do you specifically bring up your children in the Lord?

One Generation Away

"After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." Judges 2:10

I have shared this verse before and how it cuts me to the core. The whole generation spoken of here is the generation of Joshua. Yes, the same guy who spoke about his house serving the Lord, even if the people didn't.

This is what it looks like when a generation isn't intentional about passing on a Godly legacy.

At this time they were surely still going through the motions of going to the temple with their sacrifices. But obviously there was no teaching about what this meant and Who they were to honor.

The next verse in Judges says that they did evil in the sight of the Lord. Here begins a struggle against the outside influences that God said to stay away from. The people would turn to the gods of nations around them.

Unfortunately, I do see this today. Just because I attend church and bring my family along doesn't mean we're truly understanding and worshiping the one and only God. And there's so much in the world to distract and become those little "g" gods to us.

God knew how difficult this total devotion would be and that He had to help these people understand that leading in His ways and only worshiping Him was the only way to go. In the verses we have already studied we see God giving them and us ways to keep this Godly legacy alive. There's a reason He encouraged them and us to talk about it often and wear reminders on our bodies.

As I read and study verses like this one, I realize the responsibility lies with me. I can't control anyone else, not even those I'm trying to have influence over. However, I can determine like Joshua did to serve the Lord and Him only and be intentional about teaching those around me about why they must do the same.

When I find myself becoming lazy or flippant about this Christian heritage, I return to a verse like this and consider the consequences - always just one generation away.

What thoughts cross your mind as you read Judges 2:10? Please share.

Visual Object Lesson

In the book of Joshua, God instructs the people to build a memorial for the precise purpose of reflecting on what He had done for them. This would provide a visual object lesson for their children.

"When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 'Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight. ...to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, "What do these stones mean?" tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'" Joshua 4:1-3, 6-7

These stones would not only serve as a memorial but as a prompt for the children to inquire about. When the children asked, can't you just imagine the older generation's eyes widening and lighting up? I can just hear them say, "Now that's a story. Sit down right here and let me tell you about it."

I've seen that glint in my grandparent's eyes as well as my parents'. I've heard that excitement in their tones as they related something God had done in their lives or through them.

Now we don't tend to erect stones or monuments to milestones in our faith journey. Maybe we should because we should be prompted to tell the next generation about the things God has done in our lives.

This scripture tends to conjure a question in my mind - Do people around me see enough evidence of God to inquire about it? Am I shining His light? Am I that salt Jesus spoke of, creating a thirst for the things of God?

Please comment what comes to your mind when reading this scripture. How does it apply to us today?