No generation touches the next without leaving—to some degree—a few spiritual thumbprints of its own. If no man is an island to himself, than certainly no generation is an island to itself either. The spiritual impact that one generation can have on another is enormous. This principle is set forth in the Bible both positively and negatively.

Negative Impact of a Generation

The first human couple had no previous generation to blame for their sinful conduct. In fact, Paul made it clear where the blame resided and what the negative impact would be on subsequent generations. He wrote, “Therefore, just as through one man [generation one] sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men [subsequent generations], because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). The weeping prophet Jeremiah described the suffering nation of Judah in these poignant words, “Our fathers [generation one] have sinned, and are no more [with us]. But we [generation two] bear their iniquities” (Lamentations 5:7). Upon describing Jerusalem’s spiritual adultery, the prophet Ezekiel reminded the nation that “Indeed, everyone who quotes proverbs will use this proverb against you, saying, ‘As is the mother [generation one], so is her daughter [generation two]’” (Ezekiel 16:44). After the previous generation of God’s people died in the wilderness, Moses set before the new generation two choices. He stated, “I call heaven and earth as witness today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you [generation one] and your descendants [generation two] may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). The nation’s decision was a life or death proposition; their ultimate survival as a people hinged upon their response (Deuteronomy 6:24; 30:11-20).

No generation is unaffected by the actions of its predecessor. It is also of significance to note that a new generation can willfully rebel against their Creator even after its previous generation walked with God (See Judges 2:10-13). This proves that every generation is responsible for their own actions, regardless of how wicked or righteous the previous generation behaved (cf. Ezekiel 18:20).

Positive Impact of a Generation

The New Testament presents several instances where one generation is depicted as favorably complimenting the next. Paul wrote to the young evangelist Timothy, challenging him with these words, “And the things that you have heard from me [generation one] among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men [generation two], who will be able to teach others [generation three] also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Earlier, Paul reminded Timothy of where his present faith originated. He wrote, “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois [generation one], and your mother Eunice [generation two], and I am persuaded is in you [generation three] also” (2 Timothy 1:5). Indeed, God is very much concerned with the positive impact one generation makes upon the next.

What about the Next Generation?

I am an optimist at heart. I believe in the future of the next generation in spite of the dark, nebulous clouds of evil that many in this present generation are stretching across the horizon of our nation. If anyone desires to know what the present spiritual status of many in this generation is, he needs to look no further than the ancient words of Solomon:

There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation—Oh how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men [Proverbs 30:11-14].

No generation can survive without God, though many have tried. That being true, the next generation must turn its attention heavenward. The Bible holds the key for the future survival of our children and their children. Any departure from its sacred precepts is sure to invite a self-inflicted wound upon the soul of our beloved nation—a wound that neither the strongest military nor the greatest economy could even begin to bandage. The truth is, the present generation of parents hold within their hands what is necessary for the survival of the next generation. It is to those parents that we now turn our attention.

Timely Principles from Deuteronomy 6

The book of Deuteronomy comprises a final chapter in the journey of Moses. The curtain of his illustrious life was slowly drawing to a close. At the age of one hundred twenty, he had successfully led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and nurtured them during the forty-year wandering in the desert, yet “his eyes were not dim, nor his natural vigor diminished” (Deuteronomy 34:7). As one writer observed, “The venerable old man was still strong, still able to meet the challenges of life, but his journey had come to an end.”¹ Knowing this, the aged servant delivered his final series of messages to the Hebrew nation in which he restated the Lord’s commands.

At this point, the nation stood on the threshold of the Promised Land for a second time. The first generation failed to enter the land forty years earlier because of their unbelief (Hebrews. 4:6, 11). This new generation would occupy the land only if they did not imitate the example of their predecessors. One writer observed: “The last words of Moses sound like a speech a father might give a son or daughter getting ready to leave for college. His favorite word throughout the book of Deuteronomy is “remember,” as if to say, ‘Now don’t forget. . .Keep this in mind. . .’”²

The sixth and thirtieth chapters record what are perhaps Moses’ most significant messages. The Hebrew people considered the sixth chapter “their confession of faith.”³ They called it the Shema, a name derived from the Hebrew term forming the opening command, “Hear!” or “Listen!” Hence, Moses begins by saying, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). As Charles Swindoll noted:

The people of the one true God would enter a land of many false gods. They would inhabit cities they didn’t establish, live in homes they didn’t build, drink from wells they didn’t dig, and eat from groves and vineyards they didn’t plant. All this unexpected and instant affluence would present a new kind of danger.⁴

Moses knew how strong the family would need to be in order to survive “this unexpected and instant affluence” the nation would soon experience. The sixth chapter contains some timely principles that would assist the nation in this survival effort.

Principle #1 ~ Parents Cannot Pass along to their Children what They Themselves Do Not Possess.

Moses continues, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all thy soul, and with all your strength. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6, emp. added).

The key word in these verses is the word “all.” It appears three times. There is simply no way for children to grow up in a home, loving God with all of their hearts, if God is not reigning supremely upon the throne in their parents’ hearts. Half-hearted devotion is obvious. And our children can detect—with relative ease—when we are just “going through the motions.” One writer astutely observed:

Kids are ruthlessly insightful and painfully honest. They want to know what works. They don’t want to waste their time believing in something that doesn’t make sense or won’t have a significant impact on their lives. And if they see you giving the Lord the scraps of your time, your money, and your energy, what are they to conclude? Only that love for the Lord can be compromised without consequence. We cannot pass on what we do not personally possess. A phony faith won’t cut it.⁵

Principle # 2 ~ Parents Must Seize Every Available Opportunity to Teach Their Children Biblical Truths.

Moses continues, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Please observe that nothing is said here about a worship service or a Bible class. Nothing is said about making sure our children are sent to a Christian school or a weeklong Bible camp each summer. All of these can provide an excellent atmosphere wherein biblical truths can be taught to our children. But these training grounds were never intended by God to replace what is to stem from the home; they should only supplement what is presently taught therein.

The Hebrew word translated diligently means “to sharpen.” It simply conveys the concept that the teaching should be consistent and should be manifested in every segment of our lives.

In addition to this consistent teaching, the teaching should be done creatively. Wise is the parent who can quickly dispense a biblical truth while riding in the car with his children or walking through the park with his son or daughter. For example, when your little daughter picks you a flower, upon thanking her for it, you could instruct her regarding how life is described like a flower (Job 14:2; Psalms 103:15). When your son asks for a boost up to the water fountain, while in your arms and enjoying his refreshing drink, you could whisper into his ear how that Jesus is called the Water of Life (John 4:14). Sound silly? Not at all! This is exactly the truth Moses was impressing upon those parents centuries ago. Their children and grandchildren would never forget these timely truths, and neither will yours and mine.

Principle # 3 ~ Truth Is Useless if It Lacks Courageous Convictions

Moses adds, “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:8-9). In essence, God was saying, “Let My Word be your public declaration to the world that you belong to Jehovah!”

It is not enough for one to know the Truth; he must live the Truth with courageous convictions. I agree with one writer who said, “My fear is that we may be graduating individuals having too many beliefs but not enough convictions.”⁶ Our kids may learn the books of the Bible, but, if the message of the Bible never reaches their hearts, then  “What does it profit, my brethren” (James 2:14)? Hell will be populated with legions that had a head full of facts. If our children attend all the services of the Church from cradle roll through their high-school years and then sleep in on Sunday morning when they are miles away from home attending college, they failed to be a doer of the word; they were hearers only (James 1:22). They had a head religion that never reached their hearts. Perhaps we should ask--did their parents have a head religion that never reached their hearts?

Conclusion

God’s divine blueprint for the home embraces every generation. Any departure from His pattern is sure to bring disastrous consequences. In order for the next generation to “set their hope in God” (Psalms 78:7), the present generation of parents must get out of step with the culture and back in step with their Creator. Parents, the next generation desperately needs you!

Endnotes

1.              Charles R. Swindoll, Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving, (Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2006), p. 249.

2.              Ibid, p. 250.

3.              Ibid.

4.              Ibid.

5.              Ibid, pp. 253-254.

6.              Ibid, p. 259.