I was in God’s Word this morning, and I came to some scripture in the Psalms that confirmed firmly planted truths that God had been speaking to my heart lately.

1 Listen, O my people, to my instruction;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
4 We will not conceal them from their children,
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers
That they should teach them to their children,
6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born,
That they may arise and tell them to their children,
7 That they should put their confidence in God
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments,
8 And not be like their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not prepare its heart
And whose spirit was not faithful to God. Psalms 78:1-8

As most of you know, I am a mom of two young men. I also have a big heart for High School teenagers and young adults. I believe it is because that is who God has placed on my heart to pour into right now, and it was the hardest time in my walk with Jesus. That is the age where I was the most broken and where more brokenness formed.

These scriptures express God’s heart about us sharing who God is and His goodness to our children and the next generation. We are to share the testimonies of who God is, what He has done for us, what He calls us to do, and how He calls us to live.

Due to the enviornments I grew up in, at church and home, my focus with my children was mostly giving them the law and how they were supposed to behave. Now and again, I would share something on a personal level about who God was to me, but not as often as the other.

This way of sharing from one generation to another leads to a very legalistic mindset, full of pride and condemnation. On the opposite end,  it leaves you feeling like a failure all the time, and who wants to live in that.

The generation before me never shared personal stuff. We didn’t talk about our relationship with God. It was a private matter only. That translated in every area of life. That is the opposite of what God has told us to do. We are to share who God is and who He has shown Himself to be to us. We are to share testimonies of how God has saved us, taught us, disciplined us, and blessed us. We aren’t supposed to hide our light under a bushel. That is what the enemy wants us to do.

How do we break the generational patterns just like that one? Share on X

First of all, we pray. We ask God to begin the work in us. We pray for our children and grandchildren. We ask God to renew our minds. We ask God to make us bold to share with others.

Secondly, we share who God is, not just how He wants us to live. I don’t know about you, but I don’t desire to obey anyone or submit to anyone that I am not confident in their love for me. If I feel they are trying to conform me to be what they want me to be, I rebel. We need to share the love of God as much as we share the justice of God.

Thirdly, we share our testimonies and our stories. I have learned that God wastes nothing, and He will use every piece of our story to show others His glory. We need to make these things everyday conversations and not just speaking topics for special events.

Lastly, we need to be willing to mingle in different generations. Sometimes we get stuck in our comfort group. Those who are in the same season we are in are more comfortable to hang with, and there is nothing wrong with that, however if we find ourselves not going outside our core group, we may want to seek God about why. Are there fears there that we need to face? Whatever it may be, we need to ask God to show us. It will look different for everyone. There are seasons when it is mainly our children; we are sowing into that way. Other times, God places us in areas where we can share with others outside of those we are close to in relationships.

We are living in a time where it is not popular, accepted, or embraced to talk about the things of God. We need to do it anyway. Share on X

It is hard to share our stories sometimes, especially the ones that are bathed in shame, but we need to tell them anyway. If the Holy Spirit is leading us to share, we need to follow. Some of our stories aren’t for everyone to hear, but God may have some specific people He knows need to hear it. Let’s be obedient.

God wants to use us to bring this generation back towards Him. He wants to tear down generational strongholds and break bondages that have been passed on for generations. He wants people to know Him and to live free. That is why He sent Jesus

Will we follow Him and do our part, praying and starting the process within our own hearts so that He can work in others? Will we be a part of changing the generational patterns in our families and in this world? Share on X

I am willing! Will you join me?