The Importance of Your Spiritual Legacy

Definition and Introduction

Legacy: Something handed down from an ancestor, predecessor, or the past. Types of Legacy:

Physical: Material possessions and property. Intangible: Names, reputations, and influences.

Biblical References

Leviticus 25:25-34

God instructs Israelites on maintaining family land as a legacy. 2 Corinthians 12:14

2 Corinthians 12:14 ESV

14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Paul discusses the principle of parents leaving a legacy for children.

Intangible Legacies

Intangible legacies

such as family names and reputations are valuable and influential.

Institutional legacies

are access to education due to family connections.

Everyone Has a Legacy

Inevitability:

Everyone leaves a legacy, intentional or not.

The impact of Inaction

is that doing nothing still leaves a legacy.

Life impacts others beyond one’s lifespan.

Biblical Examples of Legacy

1 Kings 22

Jehoshaphat follows his father's righteous path; Ahaziah follows a path of evil.

Jeroboam's Influence

His negative impact led future kings into apostasy.

Impact and Influence

Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Imprints

: Our lives imprint on the world.

Matthew 23

: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for following the negative legacies of their ancestors.

Exodus 20

: God warns that iniquities affect future generations.

Long-term Impact

Positive Influence

: Faithfulness to God affects future generations positively.

Negative Consequences

: Sinful actions have long-term adverse outcomes.

Historical Examples

Notable Figures:

Negative: Adolf Hitler, Richard Nixon, Osama bin Laden. Positive: Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King.

Intentional Legacies

Intentionality

: It is essential to be deliberate about the legacy you leave.

Proverbs 20:7 ESV

7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!

Righteousness blesses future children.

Case Study: Alfred Nobel

Known initially for arms dealing; changed his legacy by establishing the Nobel Prizes.

Visualizing Spiritual Legacy

"Visualizing Spiritual Legacy"

Background:

A tranquil, serene illustration of an intergenerational family tree.

Roots:

Robust, extending deep into the soil, labelled with biblical principles such as Faith, Love, Integrity, and Obedience.

Roots: Foundational biblical principles anchor the family legacy, ensuring stability and growth.

Trunk:

Solid and sturdy, representing core family values and strength, labelled with guiding virtues like Wisdom, Courage, and Compassion.

Trunk: Core values provide strength and direction, fostering a healthy environment for positive influence.

Branches:

Spread wide, signifying outreach and the expanse of influence, each branch labelled with influences like Guidance, Support, and Protection.

Branches: Outreach and influence spread the legacy, positively impacting a broad community.

Leaves:

Each leaf is distinctive, symbolizing individual legacies and contributions, labelled with roles and achievements such as Mentor, Teacher, Philanthropist, and Leader.

Leaves: Individual legacies and contributions create a vibrant and diverse representation of one's spiritual impact.

Statement: "Our actions create lasting and meaningful impacts that ripple through generations. Reflect deeply on the spiritual legacy you are shaping for the future."

Conclusion

Self-Reflection: Consider the type of legacy you wish to leave. Call to Action: Create a positive and impactful spiritual legacy intentionally.Evaluate your current legacy and make necessary changes to ensure it aligns with positive values.

Reflective Question:

"What legacy are you shaping today that will inspire and guide future generations?"

Study Questions

True or False: According to the text, a spiritual legacy can be measured in tokens or trophies.

True or False: According to the text, you cannot change your legacy once it has been established.

Multiple Choice: What was the initial headline of the obituary that Alfred Nobel read?

The Explosives Merchant is Dead

The Merchant of Death is Dead

The Creator of Dynamite is Dead

The Philanthropist is Dead

Multiple Choice: What is a potential consequence of being passive about your spiritual legacy?

It can result in a legacy filled with mixed messages and limited impact.

It guarantees a positive and influential legacy.

It ensures your legacy won't have any effect on future generations.

It leads to immediate recognition and praise from others.

Multiple Choice: What should people be intentional about in the lesson text?

Acquiring material wealth

Leaving a spiritual legacy

Traveling the world

Avoiding mistakes

Multiple Choice: How long did Alfred Nobel have to change his legacy after reading his obituary?

3 years

5 years

8 years

10 years

Multiple Choice: What did Alfred Nobel do with his considerable fortune after he decided to change his legacy?

Left it for his family

Donated it to a single country

Created a trust to fund annual awards for contributions to humanity

Invested in real estate

Multiple Choice: What key message does the text convey regarding the impact of one's legacy?

It is important to be wealthy.

Spiritual legacies have limited impacts.

Everyone's legacy will have a more significant impact than they realize.

Legacies are insignificant in the grand scheme of life.

Short Essay: Reflect on the significance of Alfred Nobel's realization after reading his mistaken obituary. How did this moment act as a turning point in his life and legacy?

Short Essay: Discuss the importance of being intentional about the legacy you leave behind. How can individuals actively shape their spiritual legacy in their daily lives?