Shaping Family Legacy Through Faith and Intentionality
Summary
Family is a powerful force in shaping who we are, for better or for worse. Every one of us, no matter our background, is part of a family, and the influence of that family runs deep—impacting our values, our decisions, and even our view of God. Whether your family story is one of faithfulness or brokenness, you have the opportunity to shape what comes next. The legacy you inherit does not have to be the legacy you pass on. God invites us to be intentional about our family identity, to honestly face the past, to look for His hand in the present, and to invest in the generations yet to come.
Psalm 78 gives us a blueprint for this. It calls us to remember and tell the stories of God’s faithfulness, to be honest about the failures of those who came before us, and to teach our children and grandchildren to set their hope in God. This means not hiding the mistakes of the past, but using them as lessons for today. It means celebrating the good and godly heritage we may have, and if we don’t have that, choosing to start a new chapter of faithfulness from this day forward.
In the present, we are called to look for God’s activity in our family life. Even in hard times, we can play the “Where’s God? There’s God!” game, training ourselves and our children to see God’s hand at work in both the ordinary and the extraordinary. Our actions, our prayers, and our stories become the building blocks of our family’s identity.
Looking to the future, we are reminded that our influence extends beyond our immediate family. We are called to pass on faith, hope, and godly values to our children, grandchildren, and even those yet unborn. This is done through intentional prayer, involvement, and the creation of meaningful family traditions that point to God’s faithfulness. The story your family tells tomorrow is being written by the choices you make today. You have the privilege and responsibility to shape a legacy that honors God and blesses generations.
Key Takeaways
- The Power of Family Influence: The family you come from shapes your worldview, values, and even your faith journey. Whether your heritage is positive or painful, recognizing its impact is the first step toward intentionally shaping a new legacy. You are not bound by your past, but you are called to learn from it and decide what you will pass on. [02:16]
- Honesty About the Past Brings Freedom: Being truthful about the failures and successes of previous generations allows those lessons to become wisdom for today. If we hide or gloss over the mistakes of our ancestors, we rob ourselves and our children of the opportunity to grow and avoid repeating them. Letting the past be the past means acknowledging it honestly and choosing a better way forward. [23:04]
- God’s Presence in the Present: Actively look for and celebrate God’s work in your family’s daily life. Teaching your family to ask, “Where’s God? There’s God!” cultivates a habit of gratitude and faith, even in difficult circumstances. Your example in recognizing and retelling God’s faithfulness becomes a living testimony for your children. [30:29]
- Shaping the Future Through Intentionality: Your influence does not end with your children; it extends to grandchildren and beyond. Praying for them, being present in their lives, and establishing family traditions that point to God are ways to leverage your influence for generations. The hope and confidence you model in God become the core your family can build upon. [35:55]
- Your Family Identity is a Choice: No matter your background, you can choose today what your family will be known for. Whether you are continuing a legacy of faith or starting a new one, your intentional decisions, honesty, and faithfulness will define your family’s story for years to come. The baton is in your hand—write new chapters that honor God and inspire those who follow. [27:15]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - The Universal Impact of Family
[02:16] - How Family Shapes Our Lives
[04:08] - Inheriting Values from Parents
[06:48] - Leveraging Family for Good
[08:13] - Influence Beyond the Nuclear Family
[10:39] - The Home as a Spiritual Memorial
[13:13] - Establishing Family Identity
[16:21] - Lessons from Psalm 78
[18:20] - Honesty About Our Ancestors
[21:07] - Letting the Past Be the Past
[24:49] - Breaking Cycles and Starting New Chapters
[29:16] - Looking for God in the Present
[32:19] - Retelling God’s Faithfulness
[35:55] - Investing in Future Generations
[38:18] - Practical Takeaways for Family Legacy
[41:03] - Who Are We? Defining Family Identity
[41:56] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Shaping a God-Honoring Family Legacy
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 78:1-8 (ESV)
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 78:1-8, what are the main responsibilities God gives to parents and grandparents regarding the next generation?
2. In the sermon, what examples did Pastor Bob give of both positive and negative family legacies? ([18:20])
3. What does the psalmist say about being honest regarding the failures of previous generations? ([16:21])
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of family traditions and stories on shaping family identity? ([39:37])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the psalmist emphasize not hiding the mistakes of the past from children and grandchildren? What might be the consequences of ignoring this instruction? ([23:04])
2. The sermon talks about “Where’s God? There’s God!” moments. Why is it important for families to look for and talk about God’s activity in their everyday lives? ([30:29])
3. Pastor Bob shared that the legacy you inherit does not have to be the legacy you pass on. What does this mean for someone coming from a broken or difficult family background? ([27:15])
4. How does being intentional about family identity help shape the future for generations yet unborn? ([35:55])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your own family background. What are some positive things you’ve inherited, and what are some things you’d like to change for the next generation? How can you start making those changes? ([24:49])
2. Is there a story of God’s faithfulness in your family—big or small—that you haven’t shared with your children or grandchildren? What’s stopping you from telling it, and how could you share it this week? ([38:18])
3. Are there any mistakes or hard lessons from your family’s past that you’ve been hesitant to talk about? How might honestly sharing these stories help your family grow? ([23:04])
4. What are some practical ways you can play the “Where’s God? There’s God!” game in your home this week? How could this change the way your family sees God in everyday life? ([30:29])
5. If you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or even just part of an extended family, what is one intentional tradition or habit you could start to help point your family toward God? ([39:37])
6. Pastor Bob talked about praying for your children and grandchildren, and letting them see you pray. How could you make prayer more visible and regular in your family life? ([37:00])
7. The sermon says, “The story your family tells tomorrow is being written by the choices you make today.” What is one choice you want to make this week to help shape a God-honoring legacy? ([35:55])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you be honest about your family’s past, to see His hand in your present, and to give you wisdom and courage to shape a legacy that honors Him for generations to come.
Devotional
Day 1: The Profound Influence of Family on Identity
Every person is shaped in deep ways by their family context, whether that influence is positive, negative, or somewhere in between. The patterns, values, and even wounds from our families of origin often echo through our decisions, relationships, and sense of self. Recognizing this truth is the first step toward understanding how God can redeem and use our family stories for good, no matter what our background may be. [02:16]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (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."
Reflection: What is one value or pattern from your family of origin that you see shaping your life today—for better or worse? How might God want to use or transform that influence?
Day 2: Be Honest About the Past
Honesty about our family’s past—both the victories and the failures—allows us to learn, grow, and break unhealthy cycles. When we acknowledge mistakes and share them with the next generation, those stories become powerful lessons rather than hidden wounds. Whether your family history is filled with faithfulness or struggle, God invites you to speak truthfully so that the past can become a foundation for a new future. [23:04]
Psalm 78:1-8 (ESV): "Give ear, O my people, to my teaching... We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord... that the next generation might know them... and not forget the works of God but keep his commandments."
Reflection: Is there a part of your family’s story—good or bad—that you’ve been hesitant to talk about? How could sharing it honestly help your family or others learn and grow?
Day 3: Look for God in the Present
God is always at work in our families, even in the midst of challenges or uncertainty. By intentionally looking for and naming the ways God is showing up—big or small—we help our families recognize His faithfulness and presence. Playing the “Where’s God? There’s God!” game in daily life can turn ordinary moments into testimonies of God’s goodness, building a living story of faith for those around us. [30:29]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Where have you seen God show up in your family recently? Share one specific story with someone today, or write it down as a reminder of His faithfulness.
Day 4: Leverage the Future for Generational Impact
Our choices today shape not only our lives but also the lives of generations yet unborn. By intentionally passing on stories of God’s faithfulness, praying for our children and grandchildren, and modeling hope in God, we build a legacy that can outlast us. The call is to invest in the spiritual future of our families, teaching them to put their core hope and confidence in God above all else. [35:55]
2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV): "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
Reflection: What is one intentional step you can take this week to invest in the faith of the next generation in your family—whether through prayer, sharing a story, or starting a new tradition?
Day 5: Establish a Godly Family Identity
Every family has an identity, but God invites us to intentionally shape ours around His truth and grace. By remembering who we have been, who we are, and who we are called to be, we can create a family culture that honors God and blesses others. This identity becomes an anchor for our children and grandchildren, helping them know what it means to belong to a family that seeks after God together. [41:03]
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: If someone asked your family, “Who are you?” what would you want the answer to be? What is one way you can reinforce that God-honoring identity in your home this week?
Quotes
He was about 60 when he did, when he finally asked Christ to be his Lord and his Savior. But do you realize what slipped through the cracks in that 50 years? All those encounters and that godly answers and all those, it slipped right through the cracks. And my children and their children need to know that waiting until you're 50 or 60 to get right with God is a mistake because you have so many opportunities that somehow sifted through the cracks. So let the past be the past. But let me put it to you this way. My dad was married and divorced four times. My mom was married, divorced, remarried. And as I look at my family tree and the heritage that's coming down, and then I got married to Janet. Janet and I have just celebrated 52 years of marriage. But I can remember sitting down, mano y mano, eye to eye, her knowing my family history, and looking her in the eye and saying, that stops here. We're writing new pages in our history. [00:24:41] (89 seconds)
And our identity is not, he loves me, he loves me not. Things get tough and I'm leaving and I'm bailing. Our family history is, we're not only going to stick it out, we're not just going to survive, we're going to thrive. And we're going to have a model marriage. So when people look through the picket fence of your life and marriage and my life and marriage, they say, that's the one. That's the model. That's the one I want to have. So part of this whole thing is knowing where I come from and where I don't want to go. And you have a choice. You can choose. [00:25:30] (45 seconds)
Whatever background, you've been divorced, you're not divorced, whatever it is, leverage it. I made bad decisions here. But that stops now. And we're writing new chapters today. Oh, man, that gives me goosebumps. So, that's, let the past be the past. But here, let me give you another. Look for God in the present. Okay, let the past be past, but here's the second point. Look for God in the present. Verse 4 continues. But tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and His might and the wonders that He has done. So, we have to ask the question, what is God doing in the Johnson family now? Or in the Laman family now? Or the Edwards family now? Like, while you and I are here right now, we get to write some chapters. We get to set the standards. We get to establish the family identity. This is huge. And we can only do that when we ask, what is God doing right now? And I'm going to give you a game. And I really encourage you to play the game. [00:29:21] (73 seconds)
It will really help you in this present hour looking for God in the present. The game is called, Where's God? There's God. Where's God? There's God. Just so that I know that you're hearing me and let, say it with me. Where's God? There's God. What an amazing game to play with your family, okay? As you go through life, there are going to be all sorts of moments when you are tempted to say, Oh, where's God now? And I know that you can identify because every one of you have said that at one time or another. Where's God now? Where's God now? Do you know when it'll happen? It'll happen when Aunt Edith is diagnosed with cancer. [00:30:29] (57 seconds)
It'll happen when you lose your job for no reason that you've done but just because the economy changed and the job went away. It's at those moments that you ask the question, Where's God? And that's legitimate because you're saying, If God's in control, where is he now? In the present. And listen to this. As long as you're willing to acknowledge a there's God moment, as long as you're willing to say, Because, because, because we believe in God in our family, it's okay to ask where God is because we're always looking for God to show up. God's always showed up for the layman family. God's always showed up for your family. God's always showed up for your family. [00:31:27] (66 seconds)
When your kids are young, you have to be the caretaker of the story of how God is showing up. And you're the caretaker because they're watching you. That means when you are given an opportunity to not tell the truth, you tell the truth. When a cashier gives the wrong amount of money back and without even saying anything, you return what isn't yours, you're the caretaker of the story and your kids and your family sees it. So that's how our family acts. When your kids get older, you've got to remind them of the story over and over again. You remind them of how God shows up. [00:33:44] (42 seconds)
We need to not only train our children that they might know God's truth, but they pass them on and pass them on and pass them on. These are your grandchildren, your great -grandchildren, your great -great -grandchildren, and so on. And I used to think, if I can just get my kids to age 21 where they, you know, have stayed out of jail and, you know, all that kind of stuff, I'm done. This passage reminds me that I still have responsibility. I have responsibility to my grandkids, and it suggests that. What does it mean? It means I need to pray for one thing. I want my kids and grandkids not only to know I pray, I want them to see me pray because I want my kids and grandkids to say, I saw my dad, and he not only prayed to God, he prayed to God for me. [00:36:18] (63 seconds)
You leverage the future by teaching them where they should put their hope. The passage says to put their hope in God. Now, some of your translations that put your confidence in God. The word for hope and the word for confidence in the original language is the word kessel, K -E -S -E -L. And it basically means flank. It means loins. If you're a crossfitter, it means your core. Put the core of who you are. The God who has the power. The God who is the power. This is the one to tell you to take care of your family and your lives and your children and even the unborn children. [00:37:37] (40 seconds)
To this day, my kids, my grandkids, look back to that as being a formative time and if they were to be asked, who are you, the lamens? That's who we are. We honor God in whatever ways we can. Our bottom line is to your children know this is who we have been. This is who we were. This is who we are. And this is who we're supposed to be. [00:40:27] (41 seconds)
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