Multigenerational Impact

What does the Bible have to say about it?

In the Bible it says in Psalm 107:2, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,” does this seems like a “of course we will” verse? I hope so, however there are many historical accounts in the Bible of the lack of “say so” (sharing of who God is, what he had done, and his gift of redemption He has for us.)

Lets take a look at Judges 2:10-12 together. Before we read lets do some back story. We start the verse talking about a generation who gathered unto their fathers, this generation they are speaking of some of the people there literally SAW with their VERY OWN EYES the miracles of God from, the Works of God in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna falling from heaven, and the walls of Jericho fall with the blowing of a trumpet to name a few. Then it says another generation arose after them, which knew not the Lord, commentaries suggest this doesn’t mean that they didn’t know God existed but instead in the midst of peace, prosperity intoxicated their hearts, they were focused on building their houses, land, flocks etc. Ok, with this in mind lets see the outcome:

Judges 2:10-12 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

¹¹ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:

¹² And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger.

What stands out to me, is the devastating effects of the lack of intentionally. Verse 10 says, “and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” When I read this I think about the importance of not assuming that my faith will be my children’s faith. I can not pass the knowledge of GOD to my children without INTENTIONAL teaching, training, and making my relationship with God visual and REAL to my children. In the course of just ONE GENERATION the chosen people turned from their faith and focused more on their comfort, their possessions, their agenda. 

A Generation rose up who knew NOTHING and were led astray by the culture around them!

To say that  multi-generational impact is not of value is an  UNDERSTATEMENT!!!

Psalm 78:5 King James Version (KJV)

⁵ For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children. ⁶ That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children. ⁷ That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.⁸ And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

What does Science have to say about it?

One of the elements we must not forget is that Science points toward God. God made Science! One of the reasons the younger generation is leaving the church is because they don’t see the connection of science to God. SOOOOO lets make sure we talk about it!

Here are a few ways we can see how significant Multi-Generational Impact is for ALL in the HOUSEHOLD!

• Healthy people living in two-generation households have longer survival than healthy people living on their own.
• Grandparents serve as role models for their grandchildren through daily interactions, while grandchildren learn to respect and connect with their elders.
• The U.S. Census Bureau says 10% of children under 18 are growing up with a grandparent in the house. This may be a good thing. A 2008 University of Oxford study among 1,500 teens in England and Wales found that those with a high level of involvement with their grandparents had fewer emotional and behavioral problems. (Source)
• Being with grandchildren lower the risk for Alzheimers (source) Also helps with working memory (source)
• Financial benefits and a increased in numbers of families living in multigenerational households. (source)

How can this personally affect my Legacy?

I once heard some friends talk about the Multi-Generational Impact they desire to have, I was taken off guard from there vision until they explained. I know you are dying to know the story but I am going to make you wait one second so I can introduce you to this amazing couple. Isaac and Angie Tolpin have an incredible ministry called Courageous Parenting, where they provide parenting mentorship programs, podcast, bogs, all with the goal of how to equip confident Christian kids in an uncertain world. (AMAZING RIGHT!)

On the Courageous Parenting Podcast Isaac, said his vision is to see and influence 100 Tolpins in his lifetime! I was totally taken back I couldn’t imagine 100 Rices running around! But the point he went on to explain is he wasn’t planning on have 100 kids personally he was planning on leaving a Legacy through his kids of God’s salvation plan for each of their lives. AMEN TO THAT!!! I want that kind of Legacy! So those that know me know I needed to visual see that that would look like, and if it was possible, I mean 100 is a lot of people!

(Yes I am that person that had to make a chart to see! Haha!)

Of course, this is not a requirement to have these many children or to have this  100 number as a indicator of fulfillment of Legacy. And hear me when I say that children are a blessing, and I pray my children learn this truth too, and that they hear from me there is not expectation to number of children in their future. BUT what I think it provides is is a BEAUTIFUL picture of potential IMPACT! This is a mindset of great commission work ahead, a mindset of discipleship and a mindset of intentionality in relationships.

The Battle is Multi-Generational we are meant to do this thing called discipleship together. Maybe you don’t have biblical generational influence in your family, I want to encourage you today that intentional mentors can be like “family.” The Bible calls us in Titus 2 to be mentoring those younger then us, this is to be an encouragement to seek out wise generational influences to mentor us, while we also receive the encouragement to mentor those who are younger than us.

 

Additional Bible verses on Generational Impact (there are TONS more too!)

1. Genesis 17.7: And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
2. Exodus 3.15: God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
3. Exodus 12.14: This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.
4. Leviticus 23.43: …that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
5. Psalm 78.5-6: He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
6. Luke 1.48: [Mary] …for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
7. Ephesians 3.20-21: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.