Your Ancestral Lineage

“One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” Psalms 145:4 NIV

Everybody’s ancestry includes two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, 16 great-great-grandparents, and on and on through the generations.  Have you ever wondered who might have been your lineal ancestor living in Jesus’ day? What do you know about any of your ancestral lineages? What kind of people were they?  Where did they live? What did they believe? 

The events of our lives, our parents’ lives, and of those generations preceding us make up our life blueprint.  As grandparents, we are a vital link between our grandchildren and our family history.  How are we affecting that blueprint for future generations?  Do they know their family stories and history?  Have you shared pictures of the family from previous generations?

Why not write a story with pictures of your parents (your grandchildren’s great-grandparents) to share with them?  You might also take out a map and show them where you lived, where your grandparents lived, and where your ancestors lived.  I found it interesting to read stories about my ancestors, their struggles in Europe before coming to this country, and their challenges of starting a new life as immigrants in a new country in the late 1800’s.  I soon realized these were real people – my family – making a life for themselves and future generations like me. 

The importance of family is essential when we preserve its roots. When we diligently uphold our family history, we understand who they are to future generations. Very often, younger generations are not interested in listening to stories of our life and family history until they’re older. That’s why it is so important to put these stories in writing to be there when they are interested, and those who know are no longer around.  

If your family has a Christian heritage, it is vital to write about that so succeeding generations can see how powerfully God has worked in their family. If you do not have a legacy of Christian family members but are walking with the Lord now, you have changed the blueprint for future generations.  Now, that is exciting – and worth passing on!

Deuteronomy 6:5, 7 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . Impress them (these commandments) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” This command is for parents AND grandparents.  We are both responsible to impress God’s truth, values, and purposes intentionally and purposefully upon the hearts and minds of our children and grandchildren by our talk, our actions, and our prayers. 

One generation telling its story to another is powerful. At the same time, grandparents contribute much to a grandchild’s life by sharing their stories. It is the godly example and prayers of grandparents living as conduits of God’s grace and love that opens the way for the Spirit of God to perform in our grandchildren His transforming work and keep the legacy alive through their story! 

Passing The Baton:

1.  Questions to ask:

• Do I think my family history is important?
• How am I passing on my family’s history to my children and grandchildren?
• Does my family know my own life story and that of my parents? 

2.  Suggestions for prayer:

• Ask God to show you how you could share your family history with your family.
• Pray for each member of your family to know and walk in God’s grace and truth.
• Pray for generations yet to be born to continue the legacy of life in Christ.
• May God bless your children and grandparents as you pass your legacy to them.

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net