IMPRESS: A Parent's Guide to Passing on FaithНамуна

Introduction

This reading plan is about the impression we are leaving on our kids when it comes to faith.

It’s an encouragement to be intentional—to speak and live out your faith within your home. It’s a reminder that the important role you have as a parent or carer is to pass faith on to the next generation. This is your most important role and responsibility!

The word ‘impress’ is found in Deuteronomy 6, which is the reading for today.

One commentator notes,

“Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in the Old Testament. In any generation, it deserves careful study.”

The reason I believe this book needs to be rediscovered in every generation is because Deuteronomy is about generations. It marks a moment in time when one generation has died, and the next is taking its place.

Deuteronomy is Moses’ final speech, delivered to the new generation of Israelites.

In Deuteronomy 2:14b (NIV), it says:

“By then, that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them.”

In other words, the whole generation who had left Egypt—who had witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna, and the cloud that led them through the desert—had died.

A new generation—their children—now stood before Moses, on the edge of the Promised Land. They were about to step into their great inheritance and receive God’s blessing and promises. But before they did, Moses offered his parting words.

This is why Deuteronomy exists. Known as the “Second Law”, it is Moses’ retelling, recounting, and reinstructing of all that God had taught their people—so that things would go well for them in this new land. He implores them not to repeat the mistakes of their parents, none of whom were able to enter the new land.

It’s about passing on the lessons and learnings, with the hope that the new generation will live in light of them.

This is why Deuteronomy needs to be rediscovered in every generation: because every generation of parents must decide what they want to pass on to their kids. And every generation of Christian parents must work out how they will take the gospel to the ends of the earth—by sharing the story of God with the next generation.

This reading plan will guide you through seven principles for parents to impress faith in the context of the home.

Action

For You

Have a think about your last week. What kind of impression are you leaving on your kids about following Jesus and living a life of faith?

Do they see you living your faith? Do they hear from you about following Jesus? Do you encourage them to grow in their faith?

Take a moment to write down the impression you want to leave with your kids when it comes to following Jesus.