Building a Lasting Legacy Through Faithful Living

Summary

In this season, we are focusing on who we are called to be as a church and as individuals, centering on five foundational values: worshiping God first, loving people, serving humbly, giving generously, and building legacy. Building legacy is not just about what we leave behind, but about intentionally investing in something that will outlast us—something that will bless generations to come. The truth is, everyone leaves a legacy, whether by design or by default. If we are not intentional, we risk passing on our struggles and shortcomings rather than the faith and values we want to see flourish in those who follow us.

Legacy is not built in a single grand gesture, but in the small, everyday acts of faithfulness and obedience. It is forged in the unseen moments—when we choose integrity, forgive, serve, and love even when it’s hard. These daily decisions, though they may seem insignificant, are the bricks that build a shelter for the next generation. What we leave in people—the character, faith, and truth we impart—is far more valuable than what we leave for them in material terms.

Legacy is also transferred through relationship. It’s not just about teaching truth, but living it out in front of others, allowing them to catch it through our example. We are called to be both learners and teachers, pouring into others as we ourselves are poured into. This requires humility, vulnerability, and a willingness to walk alongside others, sharing both our strengths and our struggles.

Building legacy demands long-term vision and commitment. It means staying planted, developing roots, and not running at the first sign of difficulty. Consistency and longevity create a foundation that others can build upon. We must also guard against dangers that threaten our legacy: divided leadership, letting others hijack our vision, allowing the enemy to rewrite our past, taking on others’ offenses, and surrounding ourselves with those who tear down rather than build up.

Ultimately, legacy is not about making our own name great, but about making Jesus known through our lives. It is a privilege and a responsibility to build something that will outlast us, to ensure that the next generation has a firm foundation of faith to stand on. No matter our age or stage of life, we are all called to be legacy builders, investing in God’s kingdom so that those who come after us may know and praise the Lord.

---

Key Takeaways

- Legacy Is Built Through Everyday Faithfulness
The foundation of legacy is not laid in the spotlight, but in the quiet, consistent choices we make each day. Every act of integrity, forgiveness, and service—especially when no one is watching—becomes a brick in the shelter we build for others. What seems mundane to us may be the very thing that shapes the lives of those who follow. [05:40]

- Truth Is Transferred Through Relationship, Not Just Teaching
Legacy is not simply about passing on information, but about living out God’s truth in relationship with others. The next generation learns more from our example than our words; they will model what we do far more than what we say. We must be intentional about mentoring, discipling, and walking alongside others, ensuring that our spiritual DNA is passed on with care and authenticity. [09:24]

- Long-Term Vision and Commitment Are Essential for Legacy
Building something that lasts requires us to stay rooted and committed, even when it’s difficult. Consistency and longevity create a foundation that others can build upon, while constantly uprooting ourselves leads to instability and shallow roots. We must resist the urge to run at the first sign of trouble and instead develop the perseverance to see things through for the sake of those who come after us. [15:10]

- Guard Against Dangers That Derail Legacy
There are real threats to legacy: divided leadership, letting others hijack our vision, allowing the enemy to rewrite our past, taking on others’ offenses, and surrounding ourselves with negative influences. We must be vigilant, maintaining unity, protecting our vision, remembering where God has brought us from, guarding our hearts, and choosing to walk with those who build rather than tear down. [20:20]

- Legacy Is a Privilege and a Responsibility for Every Believer
Leaving a legacy is not reserved for parents or pastors; it is the calling of every follower of Jesus. Whether we have children or not, we all have influence—spiritual sons and daughters, friends, coworkers—who are watching and learning from us. Our greatest legacy is not our own name, but the testimony of Jesus that lives on in others because of our faithfulness. [32:15]

---

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Introduction to Our Core Values
[01:08] - The Call to Build Legacy
[02:29] - Legacy Requires Intentionality
[03:08] - Multiplication and Generational Impact
[04:23] - Passing on the Faith
[05:40] - Everyday Faithfulness Builds Legacy
[09:24] - Truth Transferred Through Relationship
[13:14] - Modeling and Mentoring the Next Generation
[15:10] - The Power of Longevity and Commitment
[19:03] - Dangers That Threaten Legacy
[22:13] - Trusting Leadership and Staying the Course
[24:44] - Guarding the Vision and Recipe
[27:15] - Remembering and Honoring Our Past
[29:43] - The Company You Keep Shapes Your Legacy
[32:15] - Legacy Is for Everyone
[33:33] - Building Legacy Through the Local Church
[36:04] - Starting Fresh and Building for the Future
[37:26] - Prayer and Invitation to Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building Legacy

---

### Bible Reading

- Joel 1:3 – “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.”
- Psalm 78:4 – “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
- Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

---

### Observation Questions

1. According to Joel 1:3, what is the responsibility given to each generation regarding the works of God?
2. In Psalm 78:4, what are we specifically told not to hide from the next generation?
3. The sermon said, “Legacy isn’t built in the spotlight... it’s built in the small ones that maybe no one else sees that may seem unimportant to you.” What are some examples the pastor gave of these “small” acts? [05:40]
4. Galatians 6:9 talks about not becoming weary in doing good. What does the passage say will happen “at the proper time” if we don’t give up?

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Legacy is not accidental, it’s got to be intentional.” Why do you think being intentional is so important when it comes to passing on faith and values? [02:29]
2. The pastor mentioned that “legacy isn’t what you leave for people, it’s more so what you leave in people.” What does this mean, and how does it challenge the way we think about inheritance? [08:46]
3. The message warns about dangers that can derail our legacy, like divided leadership or letting others hijack our vision. Why do you think unity and clarity of vision are so crucial for building a lasting legacy? [20:20]
4. The sermon says, “Legacy is caught, not taught as much as it is you being there and showing somebody and teaching it to them.” How does this idea change the way we approach mentoring or discipling others? [09:24]

---

### Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “You don’t build a legacy through one big grandio single action, you build it through the million small ones that you think don’t really matter.” What is one small, consistent act of faithfulness you can commit to this week that could impact someone else’s life? [05:40]
2. Who in your life is “catching” your example right now—whether in your family, workplace, or church? What are they likely to learn from watching you? Is there anything you want to change about the example you’re setting? [09:24]
3. The sermon challenged us to “stay planted” and not run at the first sign of difficulty. Is there an area in your life where you’re tempted to give up or move on too quickly? What would it look like to develop “roots” and persevere for the sake of legacy? [15:10]
4. The message listed dangers to legacy, like taking on someone else’s offense or surrounding yourself with negative influences. Are there any relationships or attitudes in your life right now that could be threatening the legacy you want to leave? What steps can you take to guard your heart and your vision? [29:43]
5. The pastor said, “Legacy is for everyone... Whether we have children or not, we all have influence—spiritual sons and daughters, friends, coworkers—who are watching and learning from us.” Who is one person you can intentionally invest in or encourage this week? [32:15]
6. The sermon talked about the privilege and responsibility of building something that will outlast us. What is one way you can invest in the next generation—either in your family, church, or community—so that your faith and values continue after you? [34:50]
7. The pastor said, “Maybe you feel like you’ve wasted a lot of moments and a lot of time... but let him wash them white as snow and start building legacy today.” If you feel like your past isn’t what you want to pass on, what is one step you can take to start building a new legacy now? [36:04]

---

Close in prayer, asking God to help each person become a faithful legacy builder, investing in things that will last for generations.

Devotional

Day 1: Legacy Is Intentional—Pass On Faith to the Next Generation
Legacy is not something that happens by accident; it requires intentionality and purpose. Each of us is called to actively share the goodness of God, the gospel, and our testimony with our children and those who come after us. If we are not deliberate in what we pass on, we risk letting our struggles, pain, or unresolved issues become the inheritance of the next generation. Instead, we are called to be purposeful, ensuring that what we leave behind is a legacy of faith, hope, and the knowledge of God’s love. [02:29]

Joel 1:3 (ESV)
"Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation."

Reflection: Who in your life—whether a child, friend, or mentee—needs to hear about God’s faithfulness from your own story today, and how can you intentionally share it with them?


Day 2: Legacy Is Built Through Consistent Everyday Faithfulness
True legacy is not made in grand, public moments but in the small, daily acts of faithfulness and obedience that often go unnoticed. The way you forgive, serve, pray, and show up for others—even when you don’t feel like it—lays the foundation for a legacy that will shelter and bless those who come after you. Every choice to act with integrity, to love when it’s hard, and to keep going when you’re weary is a brick in the wall of legacy, creating something lasting and eternal. [08:09]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: What is one small, faithful action you can take today—even if no one else sees it—that will help build a legacy of faith for those who follow you?


Day 3: Legacy Is Truth Transferred Through Relationship
Legacy is not just about teaching facts or doctrines; it is about living out God’s truth in relationship with others. The most powerful lessons are caught, not just taught, as we model Christlike living for those around us. By investing in relationships, mentoring, and walking alongside others, we multiply our impact and ensure that the truth of the gospel is passed on to reliable people who will continue the work for generations. [09:57]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: Who is someone you can intentionally invest in or mentor this week, sharing not just your words but your life and faith with them?


Day 4: Legacy Requires Long-Term Vision and Commitment
Building a legacy that lasts demands that we stay rooted and committed, even when it’s hard or when we’re tempted to move on. Longevity and consistency create a foundation that others can build upon, and developing deep roots in our faith, relationships, and church allows us to weather storms and bear fruit that endures. Don’t let short-term emotions or challenges uproot you; instead, let your life be a blueprint of faithfulness and strength for others to follow. [15:10]

Psalm 92:13 (ESV)
"They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to dig deeper roots and commit for the long haul, so that your legacy will be strong and lasting?


Day 5: Legacy Grows Where There Is Unity
A lasting legacy is built in an environment of unity, where everyone moves in the same direction and honors the vision God has given. Division, confusion, and letting others hijack your purpose can derail what God wants to do through you. Whether in your family, church, or workplace, it’s vital to know who is leading, to support one another, and to guard against negativity and division. When God’s people live together in unity, the foundation for a powerful, enduring legacy is set. [21:33]

Psalm 133:1 (ESV)
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

Reflection: Is there a relationship or situation where you need to pursue unity or let go of division, so that you can help build a legacy that honors God?

Quotes