We must each be a building generation in order for us and the next generation to survive and thrive. We are in a process which continues throughout our lives. This is precisely our purpose: to help each generation be a building generation.

But how do we do that? What are some key ingredients? The following passages tell us how to pass on our values to the next generation, and they have been our focus in developing this work.

Many of you are familiar with Deuteronomy 6:4-7. It capsulizes what needs to be happening in people's and family's lives. It was one of the last times that Moses talked to the children of Israel as they were planning to enter the promised land, and as he was preparing to leave them to go to his Maker. He was preparing them to continue walking in the ways of the Lord through the generations after his departure which is clearly stated in verses 1-2. Starting with verse 4 it says:

"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

Some of the keys here are:

1. The Lord is your God! He requires and deserves our devotion more than anything in the world. You are to do it. You and your is used 14 times in these verses.
2. The who of this passage starts with me. The verse also makes it clear that it is not just a passing fancy. It involves a passion for God and His Word so that you,
3. Love God with your whole heart, soul and might. Spending time with God becomes an important part of your daily life. It becomes a focus of our lives and our children/students will pick up the real focus of our lives.

Then the passage tells what we must do with the outgrowth of our passion for God and His Word.

1. You must teach these things diligently to your sons. Passing it on becomes a part of your lives as natural as sitting in your house, walking along the way (driving down the road), lying down and rising up in the morning.
2. You will talk about them as you come and go, making the most of every opportunity. If this was being done, then by the time your children are old enough for seminary it will merely be the crowning touches for those who have a solid foundation. While this is a familiar passage, think about what happened to the king's sons in the Old Testament. Over and over again the sons strayed and went in unholy directions. How often do you think these truths were carried out?

Think about the Puritans and their strong stand. What do you know about their children and their grandchildren? Are you aware that they had to develop a half-way covenant for their children so that they would be able to join them? Why was that necessary?