Handing Down Your Faith, Part 2

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Parents, have you thought about your will (your last will and testament)? Have you tried your best to leave your estate in order for the benefit of your children? Have you made provision in the event of your inability to care for them?

If so, take the challenge to go one step further and leave them a written record of their spiritual legacy. Write down your own spiritual journey. Tell of your initial encounter with Christ. Give a spiritual background of your own family life, and explain how you were able to identify God’s hand in your life.

As if they were sitting next to you, tell your children what your expectations are for their lives (what kind of life you hope they will live, the character quality of the mate they might choose, the dangers they may encounter when dealing with unprincipled men and women, your prayers for them to be mightily used by God in their lifetime, how to cope with disappointments and grief, what convictions you hold and encourage them to hold).

Put it with your will. It will become a legacy and a witness to your offspring and to those dealing with your estate. There is no better time than the present to hand down your faith, but even after you are gone, your children can benefit from your instruction if you follow through.

What principles do you want to be sure your children receive as a heritage from you?