I have seen a post going around called “4 Generation Fade.” Maybe you have seen it, also. It basically says that Generation One does not make church a high priority for their kids. Those kids, in turn, grow up and make church less of a priority for their kids. Those kids grow up and make church no priority for their kids, and lastly those kids grow up with no concept of God. Finally, it ends with the thought that priorities today impact generations. While I do not believe this is a blueprint that occurs every time, I do believe there is truth in the message it is trying to get across. That is why I am writing the article. The truth is, I am raising/training one of the parents of my grandchildren. I want to do the best I can to raise my kids with a foundation built in God (Proverbs 22:6). I want to be praying about it because without God’s help, I cannot raise them right. I want to be teaching it not just carrying them somewhere to hear it. I want to be living it, and when I mess up, repent and try again. I know that children grow up and make their own choices, but I want to do the best I can to aim them in the right direction (Psalm 127:4).
What the post reminds me of is Judges 2:7-10. Israel served God all the days of Joshua and the elders who survived Joshua, but after their deaths a generation arose who did not know the LORD. I do not know how or why this generation did not know the LORD, but I know it is possible for a generation who does not know God to follow one that did. I want to follow the model of Lois, Eunice, and Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5). As a parent I want to be training my children that they might train my grandchildren, etc. as long as the Lord gives us. I want to spend eternity with as many of my family’s generations as He gives us. Don’t you?