Today, I’m thinking of my mother and my grandmother and their awesome lives of faith. I’m a third generation Christian, and when it comes to living my faith, I have two great examples in Mom and Grandma.
When I think of my faith heritage, I know I have big shoes to fill. Although I don’t have kids of my own, there are so many in my circle of influence – including a stepson. Thankfully, through the examples of two faithful women, I am able to pass God’s truth on to them.
What kind of legacy will you leave to your children and grandkids? Will it be merely tangible things, like money and possessions? Or will it be something lasting and eternal?
Paul instructed Timothy to invest his life in people of faith who would share the truth with the next generation (2 Timothy 2:2). Here are five ways to build a faith heritage – for your children, and for generations to come.
Let’s get started.
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The Legacy of a Christian Mother
As Mother’s Day approaches, I’m giving a lot of thought to the legacy of a Christian mother. What a gift – a blessing – to have this heritage. To be part of a line of women who have lived and loved, taught and served in many God-honoring ways.
The lessons I learned from Mom and Grandma affect so many parts of my life, and I can only hope to touch the lives of others in a similar way. If you want to leave a faith legacy beyond anything you can imagine, here are five essential practices to guide you.
5 Ways to Build a Faith Heritage
Dennis and Barbara Rainey are the founders of FamilyLife Today®, a nationally syndicated radio show. They wrote about five essentials to building a faith legacy, things the Christian women in my life practiced daily.
Here are 5 ways YOU can live a life that’s worthy of a legacy.
1. Fear God and Obey His Commands
Psalm 112:1-2 says, “Praise the Lord! Blessed is a person who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on the earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”
Your legacy begins in your relationship with God. This Mother’s Day, before you give a gift to your mom, grandma, or special someone – give back to God. Commit to a daily quiet time and get to know Him better.
2. Reach Out to People in Need
Matthew 9:36 says, “Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.”
You can leave a legacy by committing to do something about our world. Identify a need in your community and do what you can to give back to others. There are many ways to help others, even when times are hard. Share the Bible with someone. Pray for America.
3. Pray to Fulfill God’s Purposes in Your Life
1 Chronicles 4:10 says, “Oh that You would greatly bless me and extend my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm so that it would not hurt me.” Jabez prayed for blessings to achieve God’s purposes, and God answered his prayer.
The faith legacy of a Christian mother requires prayer. Pray for your family, your marriage, your community, your country, and the world. Ask God to use you to fulfill His purposes. If you struggle with distractions, see these tips to help you focus when you pray.
4. Encourage and Pray for Your Husband
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says that a cord of three strands is not easy to break. Prayer is vital for a successful marriage because it invites Christ into the relationship. It’s a wonderful legacy to leave for your children.
So pray for your husband and encourage him. Help him recognize his gifts and abilities, and help him to be a better steward of them. Your family, your church – the world – needs men of strong, faithful character and vision. Here are some Bible verses to pray over your husband.
5. Ask God to Mold Your Children in His Design
Jeremiah 24:7 says, “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”
Ask God to give your children a sense of purpose and direction. Pray that He will grab hold of their hearts – to mold and shape them into the men and women He wants them to become.
Final Thoughts
What will you leave your children, grandkids, and others in the next generation? Will you leave the legacy of a Christian mother? “The challenge,” said the Raineys, “is to leave your children a heritage, not just an inheritance.”
Motherhood is a busy time, no matter how many children we have. To leave a heritage of faith, it’s vital to make these five essentials part of your everyday life.
It’s also nice to leave a tangible reminder of your legacy. But as a busy mom, you don’t always have enough time to share your memories with your family. A Mother’s Legacy makes it easy to tell your story in your own words.
This pretty memory book will become a cherished keepsake for your children. Writing prompts ask you fun questions, such as:
- Who gave you your name and why?
- What was your favorite childhood pastime?
- What is the silliest thing you’ve ever done?
There is also room for Bible verses, faith stories, and special messages. Your children and grandkids will love learning about your life and finding new ways to connect as a family.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the legacy of a Christian mother and how you can start now to build a faith heritage. God bless you and your family, and have a wonderful Mother’s Day! ◻️
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Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. What kind of legacy will you leave to your children? What steps will you take this week to build a heritage of faith?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “The Legacy of a Christian Mother: How to Build a Faith Heritage” on Savoring Home. First published in April 2023, it was updated in May 2024.
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