Heroes of Faith: Impacting Future Generations

Today’s focus is on the profound calling God places on each of us—especially grandparents, parents, and all who have influence over the next generation—to be heroes of faith within our families. No matter our age or stage of life, as long as we have breath, God’s plan is for us to keep producing fruit, impacting our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and spiritual sons and daughters. This is not a passive assignment; it requires passion, intentionality, and a deep sense of purpose rooted in God’s Word.

Drawing from Psalm 92:14 and Deuteronomy 4 and 6, we see that God’s design is for us to pass on our faith, our stories, and our reverence for Him to those who come after us. Our influence matters deeply, and the way we live—our worship, our choices, our attitudes—teaches the next generation what it means to walk with God. The acronym HERO helps us remember how to live this out: Have a Heart for God, be an Example of faith, Rejoice in the Lord, and never stop serving Others.

Having a heart for God means staying spiritually awake and alert, knowing that little eyes are watching and little feet are following. Our example is not about perfection but about integrity—being the same person in private as we are in public, and consistently pointing our families toward Jesus. Rejoicing, even in hardship, demonstrates that our joy is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not in our circumstances. And serving others is a lifelong calling; there is no retirement from God’s kingdom work. Whether through prayer, worship, or acts of kindness, we show our families that serving Christ is a privilege and a joy.

To the younger generation, the call is to honor those who have gone before—showing respect, gratitude, and love to parents, grandparents, and elders. This is not just good manners; it’s God’s command and a way to receive His blessing.

Ultimately, all of this must be rooted in a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion and good works are not enough; we must personally respond to Christ’s invitation, trust Him for salvation, and walk with Him daily. Only then can we have an eternal impact on those we love, bringing not just memories but a legacy of faith that leads our families toward heaven.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Calling Never Expires No matter your age or season of life, God’s purpose for you continues. As long as you have breath, you are called to bear fruit and influence the generations after you. This is a sacred trust, and your story, faith, and example are vital tools in God’s hands to shape the future. [04:54]
• 2. Intentional Faith Transmission Passing on faith is not accidental; it requires vigilance and intentionality. God commands us to “watch out” and actively remember and share what He has done in our lives, ensuring that our children and grandchildren know His works and ways. The legacy of faith is built through deliberate teaching, storytelling, and living out the gospel in front of those who follow us. [05:47]
• 3. Integrity Over Perfection Being a hero to your family is not about being flawless but about being authentic and consistent. Integrity means your private life matches your public witness, and your faith is visible in everyday actions. This consistency blesses your children and grandchildren, giving them a trustworthy path to follow as they seek God themselves. [09:34]
• 4. Joy as a Testimony Choosing to rejoice, even in difficulty, is a powerful testimony to God’s sufficiency. When we model joy that is rooted in God’s character rather than our circumstances, we teach the next generation that God is bigger than any challenge. Our gratitude and joy become a living witness to God’s faithfulness and kindness. [12:23]
• 5. Lifelong Service and Eternal Impact There is no retirement from serving God; our calling to serve others continues as long as we live. Even as our abilities change, our prayers, encouragement, and acts of service remain essential. The greatest legacy is not just going to heaven ourselves, but bringing our children and grandchildren with us, leaving an eternal impact that outlasts our earthly days. [15:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:02] - Grandparenting with Purpose
• [04:41] - God’s Ongoing Plan for Every Generation
• [05:33] - The Call to Intentional Influence
• [06:55] - Living a Life of Reverence
• [07:23] - HERO: Heart for God
• [09:16] - HERO: Example of Faith
• [11:20] - HERO: Rejoice in the Lord
• [14:08] - HERO: Ongoing Service
• [15:24] - Serving Your Generation Until the End
• [16:25] - A Word to the Younger Generation
• [17:00] - Honoring Elders in Daily Life
• [18:18] - Recap: The HERO Legacy
• [18:50] - Rooted in Christ, Not Religion
• [22:16] - The Invitation to Relationship
• [23:25] - Responding to Christ’s Call
• [25:27] - Bringing Your Family to Heaven
• [25:59] - Closing Prayer and Celebration

Bible Reading

Psalm 92:14 (ESV) — > "They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,"

Deuteronomy 4:9 (ESV) — > "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—"

Proverbs 20:7 (ESV) — > "The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!"

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 92:14, what does God say about the fruitfulness of people as they grow older?
2. In Deuteronomy 4:9, what specific instructions does God give about passing on faith to the next generation?
3. What does Proverbs 20:7 say is the result for children when a parent or grandparent walks in integrity?
4. The sermon described the acronym HERO. What does each letter stand for, and how does it relate to influencing the next generation? [[07:11]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God emphasizes that His calling and purpose for us never expire, no matter our age or stage of life? [[04:54]]
2. The sermon says that passing on faith is not accidental but requires intentionality. What might it look like to be intentional about sharing your faith story with your family? [[05:47]]
3. The pastor said, “Integrity is being the same person in private as you are in public.” Why is this kind of consistency so important for those who are watching us, especially children and grandchildren? [[09:34]]
4. The message highlighted the importance of rejoicing in the Lord even during hardship. How can joy in difficult times serve as a testimony to the next generation? [[12:23]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “As long as we have breath, God’s plan is for us to keep producing fruit.” What is one way you can intentionally invest in the spiritual life of a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or young person this week? [[04:54]]
2. Think about your own story of faith. Is there a specific story or lesson God has taught you that you haven’t yet shared with your family? What’s stopping you, and how could you share it this month? [[05:47]]
3. The HERO acronym starts with “Have a Heart for God.” What is one practical step you can take to keep your heart spiritually awake and alert, knowing that “little eyes are watching and little feet are following”? [[08:47]]
4. The sermon said, “Integrity is not about perfection but about being authentic and consistent.” Is there an area of your life where your private and public self don’t match? What’s one step you can take to close that gap this week? [[09:34]]
5. Rejoicing in the Lord was described as a choice, even in tough times. Can you think of a recent hardship where you struggled to find joy? How could you model gratitude and joy for your family in a similar situation? [[12:23]]
6. The message said, “There is no retirement from God’s kingdom work.” If your abilities have changed, what is one new way you can serve others—through prayer, encouragement, or acts of kindness—this season? [[15:24]]
7. For those who are younger: The sermon called you to honor parents, grandparents, and elders. What is one specific way you can show respect or gratitude to an older person in your life this week? [[17:00]]
8. The pastor said that all of this must be rooted in a living relationship with Jesus, not just religion or good works. How would someone close to you know that your faith is real and personal? Is there a next step you need to take in your relationship with Christ? [[22:16]]