After a few days of “man retreat” with my dad and brothers, I was fueled up. I had greater perspective on my issues, less stress for them, and more joy in them. Some of the greatest people in the Scripture failed on one major count – passing on spiritual heritage. Moses and Elijah passed on spiritual heritage, Jesus multiplied spiritual heritage, as did His followers, but most of the others in Scripture lost the battle at this point.
Formerly, as a kids pastor I would have parents show up at church for the first time with their 6 year old, shocked that they had no clue who Noah and the Ark was! If you haven’t had them in church their whole life, this should not be surprising to you. It should also not be surprising when they have no moral compass, and make spiritually damning decisions, because they have never been led into a real encounter with the living God.
3 Essentials to Passing on Spiritual Heritage
- Be in church (every time the doors are open). There is no substitute for this consistent ENCOUNTER with other believers and with God Himself!
- Own Your Family Devotions – pray, read the Bible, worship. Doesn’t have to be long, just consistent – For more ideas on this – watch the Family Devo Challenge Videos – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5caEavLMjZ4&list=PLMyAgnKuNIqp5r9VCXUWV2EuM7hySnqWG
- Model a growing relationship with God – your kids don’t need to know you’re perfect, but they do need to see you’re growing. They need to see you hungry for God, walk in on you praying sometimes, watch you worshipping.
This is the kind of effort it is worth a lifetime of getting back up, and getting after it again. No matter how many times you restart. Restart again! Even if your kids are grown!
2 Timothy 2:2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. (2 Tim. 2:2 NRS)
jaredstepp 