Raising Legacy: Children & the Future of Faith

Introduction

We’re continuing in our Family series called Generational Grace. Two weeks ago, we spoke directly to the husbands. The bottom line was this: when husbands lead like Christ, families flourish and God gets the glory. But when husbands fail to lead, the enemy will.Last week, we spoke to the wives. The bottom line was this: when wives live out God’s design, they don’t just bless their husbands—they bless their children, their grandchildren, and generations to come.

This week? The kids are on deck. And I can already hear some parents thinking, “Finally, the kids are the ones in the hot seat!” But here’s the twist—today is not just for the kids. This is for kids, parents, and grandparents. Because all of us are still part of the path God uses to pass down faith. Families today are often present together but disconnected.

Children are being discipled every day—not necessarily by their parents, but by YouTube, TikTok, friends at school, or whatever pops up on a screen. And parents and grandparents can drift into passivity—hoping faith will just “rub off” somewhere between church services or visits to Grandma’s house.

But Scripture shows us something different: faith is meant to be taught, modeled, and lived out in the home. That’s why today’s message is called Raising Legacy: Children & the Future of Faith.

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) says: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” If we want to see the future of faith flourish, it begins around our dinner tables, in our living rooms, and in the way we live every single day.

MAIN POINT 1: The Challenge – Passive Faith in a Distracted World

Children today face countless distractions—screens, peers, and a culture that rejects God’s authority. And sometimes, it’s the parents or grandparents who hand them the distraction and then wonder why they’re distracted.

Kids can memorize TikTok dances in minutes but can’t remember one verse of Scripture. The problem isn’t ability—it’s attention. Practical teaching: 

Don’t give your children access to tools that outweigh the strength of their character. 

Protect them from things their hearts and minds aren’t ready to carry.

Parents, you are the gatekeepers, not the door-openers. And your children are commanded to obey you, not the world.

Ephesians 6:1–3 (ESV): “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’”

Let me explain: Paul roots obedience and honor in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). “Obey” means active listening and responding; “honor” means giving weight, respect, and value. Notice it comes with a promise—God attaches blessing to obedience, both in the immediate family and in the covenant community.

Obedience changes when kids grow into adults, but honor is lifelong.

Key truth: Obedience may end when a child forms their own household, but honor never expires.

MAIN POINT 2: Biblical Vision – Families Anchored in God’s Word

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.”

Let me explain: God gave this command after the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Parents were to first love God with their own whole hearts, then pass it on. “Teach diligently” means intentional, repeated, and natural—faith woven into the daily rhythms of life. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

”To “provoke” means to frustrate or exasperate. Paul reminds parents that authority should not crush but cultivate. Discipline is training through correction and practice. Instruction is guidance through God’s Word. Both must be done with love, not harshness. Practical teaching: 

Every family has a culture. Parents, you set the temperature in your home. Is it joyful? Encouraging? Or critical and chaotic? 

Own your family’s vision like you’d own a business plan. Without vision, we perish (Prov 29:18)

Don’t forget to Transition: Parenting shifts over time. When children are young, you control. As they grow, you coach. And as they become adults, you counsel. Remember, we’re raising children to be adults, not to stay children.

Let’s be real. Some of us spend more time planning our vacation than planning how we’ll disciple our kids. We’ll research hotels and restaurants for hours, but when it comes to spiritual training, we just hope it happens. Hope is not a plan. God says, write it, teach it, talk about it when you sit, walk, lie down, and rise up. That’s the rhythm He gave us.”

MAIN POINT 3: Generational Impact – Training for a Legacy of Faith

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Explain: “Train” means to dedicate time and energy and focus. Parents are to dedicate themselves to train children to God’s way, not simply let them pick their own. The proverb is not a guarantee but a principle: early shaping leaves a lifelong mark.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.”

Let me explain: Timothy’s faith was shaped not by Paul’s preaching first, but by the faith of his grandmother and mother. Lois and Eunice weren’t apostles or pastors—they were faithful women. Their everyday obedience left a generational mark.

Practical teaching: 

Grandparents, don’t underestimate your role. Your influence echoes, sometimes louder than a parent’s voice. 

Parents, model repentance and humility—reflect, repent, and seek forgiveness when you fail. That models the Gospel...And parents and grandparents, expose your children to the church family—all ages and stages. They need to see faith lived in community, not just in their own home.

Encouragement: If your son or daughter wanders, pray. Be patient. Stay tethered to truth. Love them without compromise. Don’t give up.

Lois and Eunice weren’t famous—they were faithful. Their faith shaped Timothy, and Timothy shaped the church.

“Some of you are grandparents, and you’re thinking, ‘Well, my job is done.’ No, it’s not. You’ve got influence. Timothy’s faith came from his grandma Lois first. Don’t underestimate your role—sometimes your faith will echo in your grandkids louder than your kids.”

Application

Church Family, let’s not miss this—faith is never meant to be accidental. It’s always intentional.

Children—you are called to obey while you are under your parents’ care and to honor them for life. 

Parents—you are called to train, not just tell. 

WARNING: Don’t put your children at the center of the home instead of Jesus. Children can’t bear the weight of your worship.

Personal Challenge

This week:

- Children (of all ages): Practice honor in your words and actions, even when it’s not easy.

- Parents: Ask, Does my lifestyle model what I want my children to believe?

- Families: Do one Christ-centered activity together this week.

Gospel Connection

Why is family so hard sometimes? Why do kids resist authority, and why do parents struggle to stay consistent? It all goes back to Genesis 3—sin broke God’s perfect design. Ever since the garden, children have been tempted to rebel, and parents have been tempted to give up.

But the good news is this: Jesus came to restore what sin broke. He obeyed His Father perfectly—even to death on a cross. His obedience covers our disobedience. His grace restores our failures as parents. His Spirit empowers us to keep going when we feel like we’ve blown it. The cross covers your parenting failures, your rebellion as kids, and your regrets as grandparents. In Christ, no mistake defines you. Grace rewrites the story.

Conclusion

“Parents, listen. None of us get this right all the time. Some of you are carrying guilt over what you didn’t do. The gospel says there’s no condemnation in Christ Jesus. You can repent, start fresh, and model humility—and that may preach louder to your kids than if you’d gotten it perfect.”

“Picture this: years from now, your kids or grandkids rise up and say, ‘Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa—you showed me what faith looked like. You prayed with me, you opened God’s Word, you loved me enough to set boundaries.’ That’s legacy. That’s Generational Grace.”