And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

We pass down many things to our kids. We pass down physical traits, found in their faces and their features. We pass down skills that mirror our own. We often see the same struggle with sin reflected in our kids that we deal with personally. We are proud to pass certain things down and feel excited to leave a legacy; we also wish we could shield them from other areas and feel afraid that they will experience the same struggle and heartache we have.

Before a child can speak, they know how to conform to this world, to mirror the outbursts, selfishness, and stubbornness evident around them. So how is there any hope for change? How can there be a legacy of the joy of the Lord instead of the trauma and baggage of sin. Parents must be transformed. There are so many strategies and tips for parenting that are quick fixes to temporary problems, but none will bring about lasting change like the transforming work of Christ in a person’s life. When Christ transforms your heart and renews your mind, you start to see the world with a new clarity. No longer do you have to give in to a blind rage or a selfish cycle; Christ can transform and guide your life, which leads your kids to learn how to deal with sin and be transformed by Christ in their lives also. More than a rulebook or roadmap for life, we bless the next generation by allowing Christ to transform our own hearts and pour into them through His power and grace.

• What are some traits you do not want to pass down to the next generation?
• If you were to allow Christ to fully transform your life at this moment, what would change?
• Pray and ask God to do a transforming work in the heart of every believer around the world so we may pour into the next generation.