Do you ever find yourself acutely aware of how much God has used others in your life? This week I’ve been up to my earlobes in a manuscript called Under the Influence: An Inductive Study on Mentoring. It’s a joint project that I’ve been working on with Jan Silvious. As I’ve been going back through the pages and looking at the accounts of mentoring relationships in the Bible I am continually struck by the importance of legacy—both of passing things on to the generation that comes after us and receiving from the generation that has gone before.
Some of us have had great legacies passed on to us and others of us have not. I love that Rahab is included in Hebrews 11 because while she was given a legacy of idolatry and rebellion, God rewrote her story and changed her into a woman who passed on a legacy of faithfulness!
Many blessings,
Click on "comments" and view the comments from others and leave one of your own.
Remember, you can watch the video and post responses anytime day or night! Don’t be shy!
I was just reading the book Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar about Rahab's story. I was recommending it to my woman's bible study (Kay Arthur's Names of God) today and I was trying to learn about Kays life and saw this blog and who should be mentioned but Rahab. I was wondering where in the bible the story was I just listened to your week 6 video and it was answered. I now know much more about Rahab than Kay but it looks like God wants it that way. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Hey Melissa . . . Glad you dropped by! Rahab's story is in Joshua 2 and 6. She's mentioned in Matthew 1:5 as the mother of Boaz. We read his story in the book of Ruth. Rahab is also mentioned for her faith in Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25.
ReplyDeleteAs for Kay, you can get her testimony at this link:
http://store.precept.org/p-495-kays-testimony-more-of-the-story-dvd.aspx
There is also a CD version on the site.
Good to hear from you and blessings as you pursue God through His Word!
Pam,
ReplyDeleteNoticed your post about the mentoring study - look forward to reading it. I have had such wonderful mentors in my life. And related to your questions on legacy, I think of my mentors and their examples.
My legacy will be related to teaching college students. I've had the wonderful opportunity to talk to them about ethics this month, which I think is so important. What is so special to me is when students keep in touch and let me know how they are doing or seek advice as they face new decisions and opportunities.
How's this for a quote from one of my mentors, "even in the darkest of situations, you always have the opportunity to do the next right thing." I think that applies to Rahab and how she responded in Jericho to God's judgment.
Hey Marlene . . . great quote! You have a huge opportunity to leave a legacy with those students!
ReplyDeleteI have been asked to teach a class for teen girls... after watching this.... leaving a legacy is key... thanks again for sharing and leading us Pam. :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity, Gretchen! Do you know what you're going to teach?
ReplyDeleteHello Pam - it will be a 32 week class for a homeschool co-op. I have been thinking hitting different issues/topics per week. Ones that will help show them how to develop into a women of God. Topics ranging from modesty, Sabbath rest, lying, dating, and family dynamics. The list goes on and on. :o) I am praying for the Lord's wisdom and guidance that is for sure! If He isn't in it.... it is so not worth it. :o)
ReplyDeleteSounds great! Would love to hear how it unfolds!
ReplyDeleteIt was good to pause and think for a while on what kind of legacy we are leaving. We go about making decisions in our daily life and often we don’t pause to think what impact that could be having on others around us. I have the honor of having my mother in our group. She and her two sisters did not grow up in a Christian home and it is interesting to see legacy in this family. The Lord saved my Mom in her late 20’s (and my dad around the same time) and they have passed down a legacy to me of diligence to the Lord and the importance of His Word. On the other hand, both of my mom’s sisters are not believers, therefore walking in what was passed down to them. In turn, their children do not walk with the Lord either. It is incredible to see how the legacy passed down has major effect on future generations.
ReplyDeleteThe rescue of Rahab shows us that God can rescue anyone—regardless of their past. It is amazing to look at Rahab’s life and how she was used in the line of Christ, and it is awesome to know that God had such a great promise contained in her ultimate Descendant!
It is SO important to live with future generations in mind! We need to keep before us the question of what kind of legacy we are passing down. One of our group members, Megan, said that she is passing down a legacy to her daughter of the importance of Scripture by using it to show her how to be obedient and honor the Lord. She wants to involve her daughter in Scripture- not merely teach her Bible stories. Another way we can live with future generations in mind is to know that we are being watched by others around us—to remember that kids all around are watching how we live our lives. Also we can pass down a legacy through relationships we develop. Something interesting to think of is the impact one could have on an unbeliever and the ripples that could send through their families. One of the girls in our group, Olivia, still goes to her old youth group sometimes and she said that she passes down a legacy to the girls there by talking to them and sharing the truth with them.
@Megan (of Vessels of Mercy group) would love to hear more about how you're involving your daughter in Scripture!
ReplyDeleteHere I am on my way to finishing before we start Romans 8! We dont have any children to leave a legacy for, but I feel I am to plant seeds in other's lives to lead them to faith in the Lord. The key is communication skills for me I think. Speaking, writing and exhorting. And of course this story shows us God can and will use anyone.
ReplyDeleteHey Laura . . . proud of you for keeping at it! Legacy extends beyond biological kids, that's for sure. Keep planting those seeds in lives!
ReplyDelete