Spiritual Succession | Family Devotional | Constant Source Weekly
This year we are publishing the main section of a current issue of Constant Source Weekly to our blog each month. Each blog entry will include the main commentary for that week’s issue, questions to help you reflect and internalize the lesson, and connection points to help you engage with your family in conversations about the things you are learning about God. It is our hope that this would be a year where more families around the world prioritize seeking Christ together and would exhibit His life and love to those around them. If you want to take a look at last month’s issue, check out our post entitled God, are you there?.
Read Psalm 145:1-5,17-21
(Every Constant Source Weekly is inspired by four pieces of Scripture from all different parts of the Bible. One of those texts becomes the main foundation for the lesson and is interwoven throughout. Start by reading the text linked above.)
Commentary
(Every Scripture reading is paired with a commentary section that explains the core themes of the passage, discusses the way the reading informs our faith, and helps interconnect all parts of the Bible. Read that next below.)
When it comes to passing on a thriving and vibrant spiritual life to their kids, the most important thing parents can do is to exemplify what a life in relationship with God looks like. My number one piece of advice for parents who want to be the spiritual coach that their family needs is to practice the kind of spiritually-focused life that they desire for their child to have. In the same way that kids learn what their parents love, from colors to foods, they can also learn that their parents love to spend time with God when they see it every day.
This is what Psalm 145 is about. Psalm 145 focuses on inviting the reader to enjoy and bask in God and then pass that joy from one generation to the next. The focus of much of the Old Testament, and truly a core tenet of Israelite culture, is to pass on an identity rooted in being God’s people. If you look at the wisdom literature found in Proverbs, it is so clear that passing on ideas and beliefs about God from one generation to the next was one of the most, if not the most, important priority. I like to refer to this generational passing on of beliefs, ideas, and practices as spiritual succession. Spiritual succession in practice often looks a lot like discipleship and passing on key tenets of the faith for our kids to understand and embody. It’s not enough to understand theology; we want our kids to know God. Part of this process is helping them understand who God is and what God desires for their lives, and the other part is inviting them into relationship and creating spaces for them to experience God’s presence. Psalm 145 is a beautiful mix of both.
In their very essence, the psalms are a communal communication tool that the Israelites used to worship and talk with God. From praise to lament, the psalms give language to the ups and downs of life and provide examples of how we take these highs and lows to God. In reading the psalms, alone or in a group, we create space to talk with God using time-tested words that express the heart of worship, meditation, and prayer.
Throughout Psalm 145, we see beautiful declarations about who God is, which informs the way we think about God, draws us into relationship with God, and motivates us to live differently. For example, verse 17 reminds us that a core characteristic of who God is is that God is just. In this specific context, the psalmist reminds us that God is kind, which unfortunately is also an understated characteristic of God. Often we think of God’s justice as being vengeful, while truly it is often rooted in kindness. Because justice is a core part of who God is, it must, therefore, be something that we strive for in our own lives.
Finally, verse 18 reminds us that God draws near to us when we call out in truth. This is an interesting clarification because it is an encouragement to remember God’s promises and count them as truth. The Bible is filled with God’s promises, and many are seen in the book of Psalms as the psalmist encourages us to repeat God’s promises, live into them, and expect them from God. When we call upon the promises of God, God meets us where we are.
A key part of spiritual succession is living out active and participatory faith, so that our children can learn by watching. If we model the example set for us by the psalmist, we are well on our way to setting an example for our children.
Reflection
(The reflection section provides prompts to help you think through what God is teaching you and how it applies to the world around you. Take 3-5 minutes to ponder and respond to each question below. We recommend keeping a journal to write in, so that you can revisit it later.)
Great spiritual succession starts with strong spiritual disciplines. What spiritual disciplines do you practice and how often? If the answer is none or few, what needs to change to bolster this part of your life?
How much have you and other caregivers of your children talked about setting a faithful example of the Christian life for your kids? What things are you doing to help implement that strategy?
What does Christian identity mean to you? How can you share that with your family?
Connection
(This section provides tools and starting points to discuss what you’ve learned and processed through above with your family.)
Pray: “Lord God, as we do life together as a family, help us to see you in everything we do. Help me to model a faith-focused life that illustrates my deep love for you that will help my family to see you at work in tangible ways and to grow deeper in their relationship with you. Thank you, Lord. Amen.”
Share: Take some time to talk about the things you have reflected on this week with your kids and share with them one spiritual practice that helps you grow closer to God.
Wonder: Ask your kids what they think you are passionate about, love to participate in, or enjoy doing. Then ask them what they think it would look like to be passionate for God.
Podcast Audio
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