Telling Our Story to the Next Generation

When I saw the cover of Letitia Suk‘s new book, A Legacy of Days, it deeply resonated with me. Legacy is important, and knowing how to leave a legacy of faith is powerful. It’s all about the stories. I wanted Letitia to share because she expresses this so well.

TRUTH TALK Insight: Psalm 79:13b

Each person of faith has a spiritual legacy of God’s personalized activity in their lives.

The psalmist says,

From generation to generation we will recount your praise (Psalm 79:13b ESV).

We are all descendants of someone, and we will be someone else’s ancestor. How do we want to be remembered? And why? How can we tell our story to the next generation, especially our story of faith?

Your loved ones might know all about where you went to school, what your favorite sports team is, how you met your spouse, and other essential identity pieces, but how much do they know about how you met Jesus? Not only is this our spiritual mandate, but most of us have the opportunity in one way or another to tell our faith story to the next generation.

TELL YOUR STORIES

What if the stories of God showing up in your life were written in story form?

Some of you may undertake that project to have a record for yourself and later for your family. Don’t panic! You don’t have to write a book, unless you want to!

Whether you eventually write them or not, you can begin telling your stories to the next generation. Psalm 111:4 says, He has caused his wonders to be remembered. 

Your stories of God’s work in your life are part of that chain of remembrances. Psalm 78 offers some reasons to do the telling and what to include.

My people hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. 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. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands (Psalm 78:107 NIV).

According to this Psalm, telling your faith story to the next generation includes:

1. 1. The praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. What are the deeds God has done in your life to bring him praise? What would you tell if someone in your family asked for a story of how God showed up in your life? 

1. 1. His power. Kids especially love hearing about power, thus the popularity of superheroes. In your life, where is a story of God’s power? Someone will want to hear it.

1. 1. The wonders He has done. Tell them how you came to know Jesus. Tell them amazing things God has done for you. Familiarize them with Bible stories through books, audios, and videos. Remind the next generation of their prayers that have been answered. Our “piled up stones” for future generations are “Remember when God . . . ” stories.

When you tell your story, don’t try to interpret it. Just tell what happened—“The wonders he has done,” “The power of his awesome works,” etc. Let the Holy Spirit do the interpretation. That story may get filed in a child’s memory and pulled out much later for reflection.

EACH FAMILY HAS STORIES

You know, the ones you tell over and over again when you get together. Are there some of those stories of God’s intervention, or a special gift that can only be attributed to him, that can be included in those stories? Maybe not so far, but be on the lookout. This doesn’t have to be a recent story!

As I wrote in A Legacy of Days: 10 Fun Ways to Tell Your Story to the Next Generation:

Don’t think that because nothing extraordinary seemed to happen today, there is nothing to tell.

The stories in the Bible are millennia old and are still being told.

I recently recounted the story in 2 Kings 6 about a borrowed axe that fell in the water, and Elisha threw a stick into the water to make the axe float so it could be retrieved. Such a “small” miracle, yet it’s right in the book along with all the other stories of God’s power. That story fit perfectly into the situation playing out that day in my home.

The Bible often reminds us to remember what he has done and to tell the next generation, such as in Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV): 

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Do you have stories of God’s power? His faithfulness? His provision? Great things he has done in your family? If you are drawing somewhat of a blank, ask God to stir up those memories.

Your faith stories can be written by hand, in a letter, on your computer, or in an actual book. Choose which way you would most enjoy and stick with.

Pray for open ears and hearts of the next generation, teachable moments, and good timing.  Have you noticed how most significant interactions with our children happen spontaneously? But we can prepare in prayer.

What is the easiest way for you to pass on your faith story? Which story from your faith journey do you want your descendants to remember? If your faith stories were written, who would you like to read them?

Letitia (Tish) Suk invites individuals to create an intentional life. She loves to speak and write about shaping legacy, establishing life-giving spiritual practices, and celebrating the day-to-day adventures of everyday life. She is the author of A Legacy of Days: 10 Fun Ways to Tell Your Story to the Next Generation, Getaway with God: The Everywoman’s Guide to Personal Retreat, and 100 Need to Know Tips for Moms of Teens and Tweens. She loves to walk by Lake Michigan, browse resale shops, and make up new family traditions for fun. She and her husband, Tom, are parents of four grown children. Contact her here and here.

Graphic of generational family, courtesy of Freepik.