Pass It On
Deuteronomy 6:1–9
Introduction:
Every generation is one step away from forgetting God. That’s not hyperbole—it’s truth. Faith doesn’t transfer automatically like DNA. It must be passed down intentionally, deliberately, and consistently. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses speaks to a people standing at the edge of promise, reminding them that the survival of their faith—and the flourishing of their future—depends not just on what they believe, but on what they teach the next generation.
This passage, known in Jewish tradition as the Shema, is not only a call to personal devotion but a blueprint for generational discipleship. It begins with a foundational command to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength—but it doesn’t stop there. It quickly shifts to the importance of impressing these truths on our children.
Why? Because truth untaught is soon truth unlived. And truth unlived becomes truth unknown. Moses knew that without intentional discipleship in the home, Israel’s faith would fade into folklore.
In a culture that’s constantly trying to disciple our children—from social media to entertainment to shifting moral standards—we must rise up and reclaim our role as spiritual leaders. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, mentor, teacher, or friend—you have influence. The question is: what are you doing with it?
Moses begins this sacred instruction not with a curriculum—but with a heart commitment. Because the foundation of generational impact isn’t knowledge—it’s love.
1. Love God Deeply and Personally
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (vv. 4–5).
Before we teach it, we must live it. Moses begins by calling the people to wholehearted love for God—not partial, not performative, not convenient, but total. This love becomes the soil out of which discipleship grows.
I’ve seen it in so many homes and churches over the years—children may not always remember the lessons we try to teach them, but they absolutely remember what we truly value. They remember how we worship. They remember whether we prioritized church, prayer, and faith not just with our words but with our actions. Our lives are the loudest sermons we ever preach, and the way we love and pursue God sets the tone for how others will follow.
Application: Loving God deeply means letting Him shape every area of our life—our calendar, our conversations, our priorities, and our passions. When we live with authentic devotion, others—especially those closest to us—take notice. The most powerful way to pass on faith is to model it.
Once Moses has established the need for wholehearted love, he turns our attention to the next layer: intentional instruction. The truth we live must also be the truth we teach.
2. Teach God’s Truth Consistently and Naturally
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them 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” (vv. 6–7).
This is not a mandate for rigid structure, but for relational repetition. Moses isn’t just telling parents to host daily devotionals—he’s urging them to weave truth into the fabric of daily life. Discipleship happens best in the rhythms of ordinary moments.
I’ve seen how powerful simple questions can be during everyday family life. Imagine a family gathered at the dinner table—not for a deep Bible study, but just to share a meal. In between bites of food and stories about the day, a parent asks, “What’s something God helped you with today?” That one question—asked often and with sincerity—can spark meaningful spiritual conversations. It turns an ordinary moment into a teaching opportunity. It invites reflection. And over time, it builds a foundation for faith that feels natural and alive.
Application: Don’t underestimate the power of ordinary moments. The ride to school. The trip to the grocery store. The bedtime routine. These are discipleship opportunities waiting to happen. And it’s not just about quoting Scripture—it’s about connecting life to God’s truth in a way that sticks.
Moses doesn’t stop at the heart and the home—he moves outward, calling the people to mark their spaces and their routines with visible reminders of God’s Word.
3. Mark Your World with Visible Faith
“Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (vv. 8–9).
These commands may sound strange to modern ears, but their purpose is profound: keep God’s truth in front of you—constantly. Make faith visible. Let your environment reflect your values.
Think about how many logos and slogans you see in a day—on your phone, your clothes, your car. The world knows the power of repetition and visibility. Shouldn’t we, as God’s people, be just as intentional
Application: Create an atmosphere that honors God. Display Scripture in your home. Surround yourself with music, messages, and media that reinforce truth. Let the spaces you live in and the patterns you follow preach the gospel in quiet but powerful ways.
Conclusion:
Deuteronomy 6 is not just a command to parents—it’s a call to every believer to take seriously the task of discipleship. To live our faith authentically, to teach it intentionally, and to surround ourselves with reminders of who God is and what He’s done.
Because we are always passing something on. The only question is: what legacy are we leaving? Will we pass on apathy or passion? Will we pass on convenience or conviction? Will we leave behind people who know about God—or people who love Him?
You may never write a book, record a podcast, or stand behind a pulpit—but your life preaches every single day. Let it preach faith. Let it preach grace. Let it preach the goodness of God.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word—and for the calling to pass it on. Help us to love You with all our hearts, to teach Your truth with wisdom and grace, and to create homes and lives that reflect Your glory. Give us eyes to see the discipleship moments in everyday life, and the courage to speak truth with love. May the faith we live today shape the hearts of those who come behind us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.