For many of us, the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has filled our minds and our homes with worry. As life gets canceled, we wonder what the future will hold. But times of crisis and trial are often the best opportunities to pass on faith to your family and help each other grow.

How do we build into a legacy of faith during the COVID-19 shutdown and other times of crisis?

Here are four ways to invest in the faith of your family.

1) Connect with family

Call a family meeting and take time to check in emotionally with each of your children. How do they feel about the virus? About missing school? Being distant from friends?

If your kids are grown and out of the house, schedule a conference call. Ask them how they’re doing and what they need.

Galatians 6.2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We pass on faith by exemplifying Christ’s love and compassion.

2) Be needy

What do I mean by being needy? I often say about family legacy, the goal isn’t to raise children to independence; it’s to raise them to interdependence.

Now is the perfect time to exemplify how much we need each other. As is age appropriate, share your struggles with your children—how you miss your friends, activities and social life too!

Tell them when you have a bad day. Ask for a hug. Show them it’s normal to have needs and reach out. Your example will teach them to do the same. Use the shutdown as a time to band together as a family and watch out for each other.

3) Cling to the promises

Even more than we need each other, we need God. The pandemic is a chance to show how faith meets real life.

For many kids and grandkids, the virus and resulting life changes are the biggest trials they have ever faced. God’s promises are always there, but they become real to us only when we see how much we need him.

Choose a Bible verse to dwell on as a family. Put it on the fridge or a letter board. Memorize it and talk about it. Here are some verses you could choose for your family:

• “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12.9)
• “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112.7)
• “For I am convinced that neither death nor life . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.38a-39b)

4) Pray together

A legacy of faith is a legacy of prayer.

As the book of James says, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise” (5:13). Prayer is for every occasion, good or bad.

The pandemic is a great time to show your family the importance of prayer. Whether remotely or in person, you can always gather in prayer.

If you have adult kids, gather your family over a video call. As you take time to share your needs with each other, pause and lift them up to God.

When have you experienced the greatest opportunities for the growth of faith in you and your family? And what have you done to pass on faith to your family and others? Share your experience in the comments or send me a note.

Photo by Cassidy Rowell on Unsplash

Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published April 17, 2020

Topics: A Life of Faith | Family Legacy

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