Leaving A Lasting Legacy

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Begins at Home: Making God’s Word a Daily Rhythm

The foundation of a lasting legacy of faith is built not in the church building, but in the everyday rhythms of family life. God’s design is that His truth is not just something we visit on Sundays, but something we live out and repeat in our homes, with our children, and among those we love. When faith is woven into daily conversations—at the dinner table, during car rides, at bedtime, and in the morning—it becomes more than information; it becomes conviction. The most powerful spiritual lessons are not the ones heard once a week, but those experienced and repeated in the context of family, shaping hearts for generations. [17:15]

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can bring God’s Word into a daily conversation with your family this week—at the table, in the car, or before bed?

Day 2: Integrate, Don’t Compartmentalize: Weaving Faith into Every Area

God never intended for faith to be a compartmentalized part of life, reserved for Sunday mornings or special occasions. Instead, He calls us to integrate His Word into every action, thought, and space—tying it to our hands (our actions), our foreheads (our thoughts), and our homes (our environment). True faith is not about outward displays or decorations, but about a heart fully surrendered, where God’s truth shapes every decision and interaction. When faith is demonstrated in all we do, it becomes a legacy that others can see, experience, and follow. [37:31]

Deuteronomy 6:8-9 (ESV)
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you tend to “switch off” your faith, and how can you intentionally invite God into that space today?

Day 3: Set Boundaries that Put God First

Leaving a legacy of faith requires intentional boundaries that prioritize God above all else, even when it means saying “no” to good things for the sake of the best thing. The pressures of activities, technology, and culture can easily crowd out spiritual priorities, but the boundaries you set today will shape the faith of generations to come. It may not always be popular or easy, but children will one day thank you for making God the center of your family’s life. The boundaries you establish now will echo in the lives of your children and grandchildren. [35:05]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Reflection: What is one boundary you need to set or reinforce in your family to make God the clear priority, even if it means missing out on something else?

Day 4: Live a Faith Worth Copying

The most powerful legacy you can leave is a life of authentic faith that others want to imitate. Children and loved ones may not remember every lesson or sermon, but they will remember the example you set—your faithfulness, your compassion, your devotion to Jesus. When you live a life worth copying, you invite others to follow Christ as you do, passing on a living, breathing faith that inspires and transforms. [44:33]

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Reflection: Who is watching your example of faith right now, and what is one way you can intentionally model Christ to them this week?

Day 5: Encourage and Build Up One Another in Faith

A thriving family—whether biological, church, or chosen—is marked by encouragement, accountability, and mutual growth in faith. God calls us to build each other up, motivate one another to love and good works, and share a faith that is contagious and uplifting. When we speak life, challenge each other, and celebrate spiritual victories together, we create a culture where faith flourishes and legacies are formed. [46:31]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Reflection: Who in your family or community needs encouragement in their faith today, and how can you intentionally speak life or offer support to them?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the profound calling to leave a lasting legacy of faith within our families, our church, and our chosen communities. The memories that truly shape us are not the fleeting moments or the information we hear once a week, but the lived-out, repeated experiences that become woven into the fabric of our daily lives. God’s design for faith transmission is not limited to Sunday mornings or church buildings; it is meant to be an everyday rhythm, echoing through our homes, our conversations, and our actions.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 calls us to impress God’s commands on our children, to talk about them at home, on the road, at bedtime, and when we rise. The Ten Commandments, and the whole counsel of God’s Word, are not just to be known or displayed, but to be lived and discussed continually. The first “church” God ever built was not a building, but a family. Before there were pastors or pulpits, God’s plan was for faith to be nurtured and passed on in the context of family life.

Children and those we influence will not remember sermons as much as they remember the car rides, the kitchen conversations, and the repeated patterns of faithfulness they see in us. Faith is not built by information once a week, but by daily impressions and authentic living. Parents and spiritual leaders are called to keep growing, to dig deeper spiritual wells, so that we have something fresh and real to share with the next generation.

We are challenged not to compartmentalize our faith, but to integrate it into every aspect of our lives—our actions, our thoughts, our homes. God is not interested in outward displays or religious decorations, but in hearts that are fully surrendered and lives that demonstrate His truth. Setting boundaries that put God first may mean making hard choices, but the legacy it leaves is worth every sacrifice.

Ultimately, the legacy we leave is not about our accomplishments or our personalities, but about whether our faith inspires and equips the generations after us to love and follow Jesus. May our lives be worth copying, and may our faith be the story that our children and grandchildren tell for years to come.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is Built Through Daily Impressions, Not Occasional Information The faith that endures is not the result of sporadic exposure to God’s Word, but of daily, lived-out rhythms where God’s truth is spoken, seen, and experienced in the home. Children and those we influence remember the repeated actions and conversations that shape their convictions, not just the formal teaching moments. Our greatest impact comes from the consistency of our faith in everyday life. [17:46]
2. The Family is God’s First and Most Important Church Long before there were church buildings or formal ministries, God’s blueprint was for faith to be nurtured and passed on within the family. The home is the primary classroom for spiritual formation, and parents are called to be the spiritual heroes in their children’s stories. When faith is prioritized in the family, it becomes the foundation for a legacy that outlasts us. [23:54]
3. Integrate, Don’t Compartmentalize, Your Faith God’s desire is not for us to wear our faith as an external badge, but to weave it into every area of our lives—our actions, our thoughts, our homes, and our relationships. True legacy is built when faith is not just something we do on Sundays, but who we are every day. This integration transforms our families and communities, making faith a natural and powerful influence. [37:31]
4. Set Boundaries That Put God First, Even When It’s Hard Raising children or leading others in faith requires the courage to set boundaries that prioritize God, even when it means missing out on cultural opportunities or facing resistance. These boundaries may not be appreciated in the moment, but they are deeply valued in hindsight and become the guardrails for future generations. The boundaries we set today shape the spiritual landscape for our children and grandchildren. [35:05]
5. Live a Life of Faith Worth Copying The most powerful legacy we can leave is a life of authentic, contagious faith that others want to imitate. Our actions, our encouragement, and our example speak louder than any words or teachings. When we live in such a way that our children, grandchildren, and spiritual family see Christ in us, we inspire them to pursue Him with their whole hearts. [44:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:21] - Candypalooza and Family Fun
[12:20] - Series Recap: God’s Blueprint for a Thriving Family
[14:09] - Why We Remember What We Live
[15:38] - The Power of Repetition in Legacy
[16:39] - God’s Desire: Faith as a Daily Rhythm
[18:19] - Deuteronomy 6: The Call to Impress God’s Word
[19:38] - The Ten Commandments and Their Role
[23:35] - Faith Starts in the Family
[25:51] - What Children Remember: Everyday Faithfulness
[29:43] - Parents: Keep Growing Spiritually
[32:28] - The Importance of Life Groups and Spiritual Community
[34:38] - Setting Boundaries That Prioritize God
[36:50] - Don’t Just Wear Faith—Weave It
[37:31] - Integrating Faith Into All of Life
[42:29] - Demonstrating Faith, Not Just Displaying It
[44:33] - Living a Legacy Worth Copying
[47:40] - What Will Your Legacy Be?
[48:47] - Prayer for a Lasting Legacy

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV) — > And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Observation Questions

According to Deuteronomy 6:6-9, when and where are we supposed to talk about God’s commands?
In the sermon, what examples did Pastor Jeff give of how faith is passed on in everyday life, rather than just in church services? [[25:51]]
What did the pastor say was the “first church” God ever built, and why is that significant? [[23:54]]
What are some of the ways the passage says to keep God’s commands visible and memorable in our lives and homes?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God wants His commands to be talked about “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”? What does this say about how faith is meant to be lived? [[18:19]]
The pastor said, “Faith isn’t built by information once a week. It’s built by impressions every single day.” What does this mean for how we approach spiritual growth in our families? [[17:46]]
Why is it important not to compartmentalize our faith, but to integrate it into every part of our lives? How does this affect the legacy we leave? [[37:31]]
What does it look like for faith to be “demonstrated” rather than just “displayed” in our homes? [[42:53]]

Application Questions

Think about your own family or household. What are some specific routines or moments where you could naturally talk about God or share your faith? (For example: car rides, meals, bedtime, etc.) [[25:51]]
The pastor shared that kids remember repeated actions and conversations more than sermons. What is one faith habit or tradition you want to start or strengthen in your home this month? [[27:51]]
Are there any areas in your life where faith is “compartmentalized” (only for Sundays or certain situations)? What would it look like to weave faith into those areas? [[38:15]]
Setting boundaries that put God first can be hard, especially when it means missing out on things. Is there a boundary you need to set (or reinforce) in your family to prioritize God? What’s holding you back? [[35:05]]
The pastor said, “Live a life of faith worth copying.” Who is watching your example right now—children, friends, coworkers? What is one way you can make your faith more visible and real to them this week? [[44:33]]
Parents and spiritual leaders are called to “keep growing” so they have something fresh to share. What is one step you can take to dig deeper in your own faith journey this season? [[29:43]]
If your children, grandchildren, or friends were to describe your faith years from now, what do you hope they would say? What is one change you can make now to help that become true? [[47:40]]

Sermon Clips

God, in His infinite wisdom, was not interested in creating His Word so that we could just randomly, from time to time, hear it on a Sunday morning. God doesn't want His Word just to be a Sunday morning memory to you, to me, to our children, to those that we care about in our church family, or in our chosen family. He wants it to be an everyday rhythm. [00:16:58] (23 seconds) #EverydayWordRhythm

Kids don't really remember sermons. I can barely remember the sermon after I preach it. How do you remember it? Like, we only remember these little highlights. We remember these brief little moments and we hang on to them just for a moment. That's why every week we cycle back here again. Because there's more that we can learn. Number one, and we've basically almost forgotten a lot of what we had last week. Kids don't remember sermons. They remember car rides. They remember kitchen conversations. Right? They remember things that get repeated. That's what they remember. [00:25:20] (35 seconds) #FaithInEverydayTalk

If the people you have in your life don't want to talk about God outside of church, you evidently are missing some people that you desperately need. You need to be looking for a group of people that are going to make God a regular part of your weekly discussions. You need to be looking for people that you can be in a family with of believers that are going to challenge your faith. They're going to push back on you when it comes to the way you live. You live your life according to God's word. You need people like this in your life. [00:28:49] (28 seconds) #DigDeepGrowFaith

If you're not showing up, you are leaving gold on the floor. It's like you just walked past a $100 bill on the ground and you were like, forget it, I'm not picking that up. I'm telling you right now, if you're not going, parents, with your kids to our family experience service, you're missing it. [00:30:44] (17 seconds) #ParentsAreSpiritualHeroes

At New Life, our children's ministry is designed to make mom and dad the spiritual hero of the story. It's a little different than other churches. So I know that some of you are new and you're like, I wonder what our kids' ministry is. What's our kids' ministry like here? Well, your kids are gonna love it, number one. But number two, you need to understand that everything that we do in that kids' ministry is designed to empower you, mom and dad, to be the spiritual hero of the story. [00:31:04] (23 seconds) #SundayPriorityMatters

You have to set the boundaries that puts God first and will they miss out on some things? Yes, they'll miss out on some things. But let me tell you this. Now that I'm on the opposite end with adult children that are married and 11 grandchildren, I don't regret a single one of those moments of telling my kids no. And you know what? Neither do they. They didn't like it in the moment, but they're thankful now. [00:34:32] (27 seconds) #WeaveFaithEverywhere

You do your part and let God do his part. What part can you do? You can't control them when they're adult children. Trust me, I have four of them. I know that. Oh, and by the way, if you thought that your children were expensive, wait until they become adults. Save up, my friends. Right? Save up. Save up now. You'll be thankful. It might be the one thing you hear from this message that you'll be thankful for. Right? Do your part and let God do his part. So, what do you do? What part can you do? Live in authentic faith and leave the rest to God. [00:43:48] (34 seconds) #LegacyWorthCopying

You're gonna have to take God's commandments and you're gonna have to write them on your hands, your actions, you're gonna have to write them on your forehead, they're gonna have to penetrate your thoughts, they're gonna have to be written on the doorpost of your life that you're an all-in sold-out believer for Jesus Christ. If you live that way, I'm telling you the legacy that your children will pass to their grandchildren and your grandchildren will pass to their children is that you need you need to know mimi or papa they were people of faith. [00:48:16] (34 seconds)

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