Discussion Guide: God's Plan for Generational Faithfulness

Opening Prayer

Begin your time together asking God to open hearts and minds to His truth about the family and generational faithfulness.

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Sermon Summary

This message addressed God's design for passing faith to the next generation through three key commands: having God's word in our hearts as parents, teaching the word diligently to our children, and living out the word consistently in all areas of life. The sobering reality is that 70-80% of kids who grow up in church leave after high school, making this topic critically urgent for the church today.

Key Takeaways

1. God's word must be in your heart - Not just external rule-keeping, but developing a biblical worldview that shapes all decisions

2. We must teach God's word to our children - This is a parental responsibility, not something to outsource entirely to the church

3. We must live out God's word consistently - Kids need to see authentic faith lived out daily, not just on Sundays

4. We're leaving a legacy regardless - Whether good or bad, we are impacting the next generation through our choices

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Discussion Questions

Understanding the Problem

1. Why do you think 70-80% of kids raised in church leave after high school? What factors contribute to this crisis?

2. The pastor mentioned that most Christian parents care about their child's spiritual state but fail to teach the word at home. Why is there such a disconnect?

God's Word in Your Heart (Deuteronomy 6:6)

3. What's the difference between having a "biblical worldview" versus just being a rule-follower or a "good person"?

4. How can we evaluate whether we're making decisions based on God's word versus cultural wisdom, financial logic, or business sense?

5. Share an example of a time when following God's word led you to make a decision that didn't make logical or financial sense to the world.

Teaching God's Word (Deuteronomy 6:7a)

6. What are the biggest obstacles that prevent parents from teaching God's word to their children at home?

7. The pastor said, "If we're too busy to teach God's word to our children, then we're too busy." How does this statement challenge you? What might need to change in your schedule?

8. For those who feel ill-equipped to teach: What resources or support would help you feel more confident in teaching your children?

9. How can the church as a body better support parents in their role as primary spiritual teachers without replacing them?

Living Out God's Word (Deuteronomy 6:7b-9)

10. What does it look like practically to "talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up"?

11. The sermon mentioned letting kids see you pray, study, confess, and make decisions using biblical principles. Which of these do you do well? Which needs improvement?

12. In what areas of life are you tempted to be a different person (sports, social media, work, after kids go to bed)? How can you grow in consistency?

The Counterfeit Commands

13. Discuss the three counterfeits mentioned:

Rule-keeping instead of having God's word in your heart

Outsourcing to the church instead of teaching at home

Performing only in front of kids instead of consistent living

14. Which counterfeit are you most susceptible to?

Success and Legacy

15. If someone asked your children, "What would make your parents proud?" what would they say? Would their answer align with God's definition of success?

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Practical Applications

This Week:

Use these action steps to implement God’s plan for generational faithfulness:

For Parents with Children at Home:

- Schedule a specific time this week for family devotions or Bible reading

- Invite your children into a decision you're making and explain how you're using biblical principles

- Let your children see you pray about something specific

- Confess an area where you've been inconsistent and ask for forgiveness

- Evaluate your weekly schedule: What needs to be cut to prioritize spiritual formation?

For All Group Members:

- Do an honest self-evaluation: Where do you have different "versions" of yourself? Commit to consistency in one area.

- Read through Deuteronomy 6 daily this week and journal about what God is teaching you

- Memorize Deuteronomy 6:5-7 as a family or individually

- If you feel ill-equipped, reach out to a pastor or mature believer for resources on family discipleship

- Pray specifically for the families in your group and church

For Those Without Children:

- Consider how you can support families in your church (prayer, encouragement, practical help)

- Reflect on your own spiritual legacy: What are you passing on to those who watch your life?

- Ask God if there's a family you could mentor or encourage

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Accountability Questions

(Ask these at your next meeting)

Did you follow through on your action step? What happened?

What did God teach you this week about your spiritual legacy?

What's one way you grew in consistency this week?

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Prayer Requests & Closing Prayer

Pray specifically for:

- Parents in your group to have wisdom and courage

- Children and teenagers in your church to encounter the living God

- The 70-80% who have left the church - for their return and restoration

- Hearts to be transformed, not just behavior to be modified

- The next generation to see authentic Christianity lived out

Remember: Salvation is a miracle only God can perform. Our job is faithful obedience to what He's commanded. Trust Him with the results while being faithful with the responsibility.