Passing On...Our Christian Inheritance
No instruction manual—it was left out!
Terrible two’s, terrible teens, terrible twenties… how in the world do you know what to do?
If you are a parent or grandparent, you know exactly what I’m talking about—your children.
We can’t return them. They are ours, and we must figure out how to guide them without a step-by-step manual.
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During parenting—and even grandparenting—we search for answers.
We look to books, resources, authorities, and influencers to help us navigate this journey. But the answers vary as much as the child we are trying to guide.
So what are we to do?
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From experience, I can tell you this:
By the time your children leave your home, it often feels like that’s when you finally start figuring out what you should have done.
My husband and I were determined to break the generational junk—to have it STOP with us.
We were not perfect. We made many mistakes.
But today, both of our adult sons have said, “You did a good job.”
Considering where we came from… that means everything.
And now I can say—I agree.
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So where did the answers come from?
The BIBLE.
It is the one resource that has never failed.
It’s a lifeline.
It speaks to every situation.
And it holds the answers to life’s questions—if we’re willing to look.
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As a grandparent now, I’ve found myself asking:
👉 What is my responsibility?
👉 How do I continue influencing the next generation?
So I approached it like an investigator—looking for the “why, what, and how” in Scripture.
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WHY are we to influence the next generation?
“Then you and your descendants will live a long time…” — Deuteronomy 11:21
We are called to pass on what we know so future generations can live strong, God-centered lives.
Practically, this means:
• Teaching biblical principles
• Strengthening godly families
• Standing firm in truth within our communities
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WHAT are we to pass on?
Deuteronomy 4:9–10 makes it clear.
We are to pass on:
Our experiences with God
• What we’ve seen Him do
• What we’ve heard
• What we’ve read in His Word
The knowledge we’ve gained
• Through Scripture
• Through walking with Him
Your story matters more than you think.
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HOW do we pass it on?
Scripture gives us clear direction (Deuteronomy 6, 11; 1 Chronicles 28).
Here are the principles:
• Get to know God — Seek Him and His Word
• Learn His commandments — Understand how to live
• Worship wholeheartedly — Love Him above all
• Serve willingly — Commit fully to Him
• Be faithful — Trust that He is steady and true
• Don’t be discouraged — Keep hope in front of you
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Wow… this is a lot.
But don’t miss this:
👉 Don’t be discouraged.
You don’t have to do everything perfectly.
You just need to be faithful with what God has placed in front of you.
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Placing our hope and confidence in God—and walking in obedience—will carry forward a legacy of faith.
Do what you can, right where you are.
And don’t live with regret.
Just keep moving forward.
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If this message stirred something in your heart and you’re passionate about influencing the next generation of women and families, I’d love to come alongside you and your group.
👉 Learn more about having Sue speak at your next women’s event or gathering:
https://www.suelhamilton.com/speaking
— Sue L. Hamilton
Speaker | Teacher | Author
Live4One Ministry
