Five Minutes in the Bible for Men
May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:18 NLT
In today’s culture, a prudent man is recommended to have a will made up stating how he is going to disperse his wealth. Financial planners play a large role in helping people decide how they will maximize their document so their estate doesn’t get eaten up by taxes.
However, have you ever thought how you are going to pass on to the next generation your legacy of faith?
The Scriptures are very clear stating the importance of passing on to the next generation what we believe.
“Remember the days long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you” (Deuteronomy 32:7 NLT).
“I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grand-
children… and so you will know that I am the LORD” (Exodus 10:2 NLT).
“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me” (Psalm 71:18 NLT).
We as dads need to pass on a few basic truths to the next generation. Our children learn more by watching us than by hearing us. Actions are much more powerful than our words. The “now generation” needs to pass on four basic truths:
Affirm that the Lord is God.
“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone” (Deuteronomy 6:4 NLT).
Love the Lord with a whole heart.
“You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6 NLT).
Teach and train your children.
“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9 NLT).
Build a firm foundation.
“A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables” (Proverbs 24:3-4).
As we live out the Scriptures in our everyday life, our children will soon ask questions regarding our faith in God. These questions will eventually lead to them making their own decision about who God is in their lives.
“Your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’?” (Exodus 12:26 NLT).
“In the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does this all mean?’?” (Exodus 13:14 NLT).
“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’?” (Joshua 4:6 NLT).
In Psalm 78:4-6 the psalmist tells us men not to hide these truths from our children. We are to tell the next generation about our Lord — about His power — about His mighty wonders. We are commanded to teach them to our children, so that the next generation might know them. We are to pass the story down from generation to generation.
Prayer: Father God, let me grasp this responsibility to pass on my godly truths to my children who in turn can pass it on to their children. Let them see Christ in my life. Amen.
Action: Live life on purpose. Stop shooting from the hip. You’ll never hit your target if you don’t have a plan.
Copyright (c) Bob Barnes, published by Harvest House Publishers. Used with Permission.
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