If you are a parent, have you ever look ahead 20-30 years and wondered what your family will be like? Do you ever wonder how many grandkids you will have? What will they be like? What college will they go to? What type of spouse will they choose to marry? Will they go to church? Will they have a personal faith in Christ?
With one daughter ready to go off to college, I’m thinking about this more and more.
Scripture reminds us to have a vision not only for us and not only for our children, but for our grandchildren.
So that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees
and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Deuteronomy 6:2
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;
We are not only raising our children. The way we are parenting and raising our kids is most likely how they will raise our grandkids. They will hopefully learn from our mistakes and make necessary adjustments, but one thing we can’t neglect is raising them to love and “fear” God, having a healthy and holy reverence for the King of Kings.
Remember, that we pass on our faith best when we bring God into everyday living; when you sit at home, walk down the road, lay down, and when you get up (Deut. 6:7). Bring God into all aspects of life and they will be much more equipped to do the same as they raise our grandkids to know, love and fear a great God.
Here are a couple of resources we recommend pursuing if you want to establish a vision for your family for future faithful generations: Revolutionary Parenting: Raising Spiritual Champions (George Barna. Look for the workbook and DVD also.) & Family-iD: (Here is a video.)
Written by Jonathan
Rev. Jonathan Cronkhite has been serving youth and families for the last 28 years. With the heart of a pastor, he encourages and equips families to have Homes Devoted, through conferences, workshops, coaching, and writing. Married to Carrie for 25 years, they have 5 children, three of whom are young adults. Jonathan enjoys working alongside and discipling his teenage sons and their friends, renovating and flipping homes. He supports Carrie as she leads a home school co-op, and together they practice hospitality and serve in the community.
