Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 
“Legacy” is defined as a long-lasting impact of action. We all have a legacy that goes in two directions: influence on us from those who went before us, and our influence on those who come along behind us.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV), “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”
Not everyone has a parent or grandparent to lead them. We need to be watchful for those we can help.
2 Timothy 2:2 is important in our walk of faith; it tells us to share what we know. “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Our legacy of faith is an ongoing chain where one shares what he learns, then that person shares with someone else… and the message continues to spread.
Think about how you learned to cook. For many of us, we were taught by a mother or grandmother, and when we had children, we taught them (and maybe some of their friends). Now we see our children teaching their children to cook. In our family, my grandchildren enjoy a pound cake recipe that goes back to my grandmother who married in 1913.
Our faith grows as we interact with those who have gone before us. Ask questions about how they came to faith or the special people who influenced them. Listening to others is an important part of inheriting a legacy of faith.
As we pass down that legacy, it is not always necessary to sit down with a Bible to teach. When you teach someone to bake a cake, mention Elijah and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. When you turn on the faucet for water, talk about Rebecca drawing water for Abraham’s servant’s camels in Genesis 24. Short, simple comments plant the seed for more in-depth study.
My grandmother was blind from the time I was 10, but she could relate beautiful word pictures. She and Grandad always got to know the children in the neighborhood where they lived, especially the “unchurched,” and when these children would come over for homemade cookies and milk, my grandparents would tell them Bible stories. Some of these children are now preachers, elders, deacons, and Bible class teachers.
Opportunities to share our faith are all around us. The Bible is full of everyday events that tell of God’s Message, and we can use similar times in our lives to connect with that message.
We have been given a beautiful story… One more important than the trivial conversations we often have.
The simple story we need to be able to share has these highlights:
- There is one God who created the world, including man.
- Man sinned, destroying his relationship with God.
- God loved man… Genesis 3 contains the first prophecy of a Redeemer to restore that relationship.
- Over 800 Old Testament prophesies tell of the coming Messiah.
- Jesus the Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified, buried, and rose on the 3rd day. He returned to His Father until the time when He will come back to take us home with Him to the Father.
- Faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God is the beginning of our relationship with God.
- Repentance and immersion for the remission of sins follow as demonstrations of that faith.
- Continuing to live a faithful life takes us home to God.
In Deuteronomy 6:7, the Israelites are told, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Sharing our legacy of faith is part of daily life.
Some of Jesus’ last words to His apostles were in Matthew 28:20, “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
If the message is in our hearts, it is easy to be aware of times to share the good news. Let’s be sure we do!