Remember When: Leaving a Legacy of Faith as a Family

Have you ever taken a moment to think about good memories? Like a vacation you had, a birthday party, your favorite team winning, or even a family dinner. These special memories help us to remember the great time that was had. They also help us to remember God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. 

Here in Joshua 24, at the end of his life, we see Joshua call all the people of Israel together. He reminded them of all that God had done in their lives and helped them see that God is faithful and that He is a promise keeper. 

In verses 3–12, we see a list of things God did for the nation of Israel. And as Joshua reminded the people of God's faithfulness, he encouraged them to turn from sin and idol worship. He gives a charge to the people to choose this day whom they will serve. And Joshua says to them, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

What a legacy Joshua is leaving. He had the opportunity to lead people into the Promise Land, help them turn back to God, and to have them experience all that God had for them. We should all take his final words to heart for our family and in our home as we choose to serve God. 

As a parent, as a child,  as a brother or sister, or grandma or grandpa, we should consider what is most important and what we want our legacy to be. What will we be remembered for? Being remembered for loving and serving God and His people is an incredible legacy that will last for generations to come. 

DIG: Joshua said, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord," As individuals members of a family, we must realize that this begins with us, with each of us. So, today we encourage you to consider how are you helping your family (whether you're the parent, the child, the sibling, or the grandparent) to serve the Lord? What are some ways you and your family can serve God? 

DISCOVER: Reflect back and share a special memory you have. How does this remind you of God's love and promises for you? Just a few chapters later in Judges 2:10, the people of Israel had already forgotten about committing to serve the Lord and the next generation did not know God. How quickly and easily it is to forget. How will your family be different from the Israelites? How will you continue to walk by faith and walk in obedience to God's Word? 

DO: Over the last five days, we journeyed through Joshua and reflected on God's promises, had a breakthrough in areas of personal struggle, learned that God is with us in battle, and came to understand how we can serve Him and one another. 

Where do you believe God is leading your family this year? Pray together as a family and select a word, a phrase, or a verse that you believe God is giving you for the year. Take some time to make a family sign with your last name painted or carved on the front. Then on the back, write down this word, phrase, or verse, and commit to applying it through this next year. 

As a family here are some areas that you can begin leaving a legacy of faith... 

• Reading Gods Word
• Praying together as a family
• Asking each other for forgiveness
• Serving together at church
• Vacations/making memories together