One of the greatest responsibilities—and privileges—God gives His people is the calling to pass His truth to the next generation. Psalm 78 captures this beautifully. It’s not merely a suggestion; it’s a divine charge to parents, grandparents, leaders, and every believer who wants their life to matter beyond their own years.
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders… teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.” (Psalm 78:4,6–7)
This passage describes a multi-generational legacy—a chain reaction of faith. And if the Church takes this seriously, God’s story doesn’t weaken with time; it grows stronger.
1. We Are Tellers of God’s Story
“We will not hide these truths from our children…”
The default setting of the human heart is forgetfulness. If God’s works are not intentionally taught, they will accidentally be forgotten. Faith is not inherited automatically—it is passed down intentionally.
Our calling is simple: tell the story.
Tell how God saved you.
Tell how He answered prayer.
Tell how He forgave, provided, healed, restored, and led.
Tell the Scriptures. Tell the testimonies. Tell the miracles.
Silence is the enemy of spiritual inheritance.
2. Our Stories Prepare the Next Generation for Theirs
“Teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born…”
When we talk about God’s faithfulness, we’re not just informing minds—we are shaping futures.
Your faith today is preparing someone else’s tomorrow.
Children and grandchildren who grow up hearing about the faithfulness of God are better equipped to face the battles ahead. They won’t be surprised by trials because they’ve heard how God carried you through yours. They won’t be spiritually malnourished because you have fed them truth.
And incredibly, the psalmist says this isn’t just about our kids—it’s about their kids. Your obedience influences people you will never meet. That’s the power of generational faithfulness.
3. Faith Must Be Renewed in Every Generation
“So each generation should set its hope anew on God…”
You can’t believe for them.
You can’t obey for them.
You can’t worship for them.
But you can inspire, influence, model, and guide.
Each generation must renew its hope in God—deciding for themselves to trust Him, follow Him, and obey Him. Our role is to make that decision as easy as possible by living lives worth imitating.
A vibrant older generation produces a strong younger generation.
4. Remembering God Builds Obedience
“…not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.”
Forgetfulness leads to disobedience.
Memory leads to worship.
When we tell the next generation what God has done, we are giving them stones of remembrance—anchors that hold steady in storms, reminders that God will be faithful again.
Children who know the works of God grow into adults who obey the ways of God.
5. Your Life Is a Bridge Between Generations
Psalm 78 describes a faith that doesn’t end with you—it passes through you.
You are a link in a chain stretching from Abraham to your children, from the early church to the future church. Your stories, your worship, your obedience, your testimony—all of it becomes part of the inheritance you hand down.
Don’t underestimate the little moments:
- A bedtime prayer
- A story of God’s provision
- A Scripture read in the morning
- A testimony shared in the car
- A song of worship sung in the house
- A consistent example of love, forgiveness, and godliness
These are seeds that grow into forests long after you are gone.
Final Thoughts: Tell Them Again… and Again
When we faithfully pass on the truth of God, we are doing more than teaching; we are planting hope. We are ensuring that faith doesn’t die with us but thrives after us.
So tell them.
Tell them about the cross.
Tell them about grace.
Tell them about answered prayer.
Tell them about the goodness of God.
Tell them about the miracles you’ve seen.
Tell them what God has done in Scripture and what He has done in your life.
Because the next generation is listening—and their children will thank God that you spoke.
May every generation set its hope anew on God.
