Why Exodus 13 shows us that sharing your faith story with your children is not optional—it’s essential.

“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me.’” —Exodus 13:8

I didn’t expect Exodus 13 to wreck me this week.
I’ve read it dozens of times—studied the plagues, marveled at the miracles, taught lessons on the Passover lamb.

But this time?
It wasn’t the miracles that stopped me.

It was the parenting instructions.
Right there, nestled between commands to remember God’s deliverance, was this tender charge to every generation:

“Tell your children what the Lord did for you.” (Exodus 13:8–10, 14–16)

Not just what He did for Israel.
Not just what He did for the world.

What He did for me.

And I realized…
This is the how of generational faith.
This is how we raise children who are rooted, resilient, and ready to walk with God.

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We Don’t Just Remember—We Retell

In Exodus 13, God gives specific instructions to commemorate the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery—not just through rituals, but through storytelling.

“When your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say,
‘With a mighty hand, the Lord brought me out of Egypt…’” (v. 14)

Do you see it?

God isn’t asking for polished theology. He’s asking for personal testimony.

Your child needs to hear your story—how God rescued you, refined you, and walked with you through fire.

Because when faith is passed down only as a principle, it stays in the head.
But when it’s passed down as a story, it lands in the heart.

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Your Testimony Is Their Trail Marker

When life knocks the wind out of your child—or your grandchild—your testimony might be the very trail marker that keeps them from getting lost.

Imagine your child, standing in the middle of their own “wilderness” season:

• A crisis of faith in college
  
• A loss they didn’t see coming
  
• A battle with anxiety or identity
  

And then they remember:

“God showed up for my mom when she was hurting.”
“My dad prayed through that job loss and never stopped trusting.”
“My grandma was healed from something doctors couldn’t fix.”

Your story becomes a compass.

This is generational faith.
Not just Bible verses on the wall, but stories of God’s goodness lived out in real time.

Faith + Storytelling = Sticky Discipleship

Research confirms what Scripture already teaches:

– A study from Fuller Youth Institute found that young people who heard personal faith stories from parents were significantly more likely to continue following Jesus into adulthood.

– Barna Group reports that 73% of practicing Christian teens say they were deeply influenced by seeing their parents live out their faith—not just teach it.

Stories stick.
They bridge the gap between doctrine and daily life.
And in a culture of confusion, they offer something sturdy to hold on to.

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Happy Kid Toolkit Connection: Where Testimony Meets Tools

One of the reasons I created the Happy Kid Toolkit is because I believe emotional healing and spiritual legacy are inseparable.

Here’s why:

• You can’t pass down peace if you’re ruled by anxiety.
  
• You can’t disciple your child through truth if you’re still drowning in lies.
  
• You can’t raise emotionally intelligent kids if you’re never given permission to feel.
  

The toolkit helps parents and children:

• 🧠 Take thoughts captive with truth from God’s Word (2 Corinthians 10:5)
  
• 💬 Practice repentance and responsibility instead of blame
  
• ❤️ Learn how to name emotions and invite the Holy Spirit into hard moments
  

But the most powerful tool in the box?
Your testimony.

Real-Life Example:

Last week, a client shared how she used the Toolkit with her 9-year-old after a meltdown at school.
Instead of reacting, she sat down and said:

“Do you want to know something? When I was your age, I used to feel like I didn’t belong, too. But God showed me I was His.”

They cried. They prayed. They did the “Lies vs. Truth” worksheet together.
That’s what it means to disciple with both tools and testimony.

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A Challenge for Parents and Leaders

So here’s your invitation this week:

👉 Tell one story of God’s faithfulness to your child.
– It can be from your childhood or from yesterday.
– It can be miraculous or mundane.
– It can be unfinished.

Over dinner.
In the car.
During bedtime prayers.

Just tell it.
Let them hear that your faith isn’t just a belief—it’s a lived experience.

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Introducing: The Legacy of Faith Guided Journal

We’ve all seen those trendy legacy journals floating around:

“What was your favorite childhood memory?”
“How did you meet your spouse?”
“What’s your favorite recipe?”

Those are lovely—but what if we went deeper?

What if we helped you share the miracle moments that shaped your walk with God?

That’s why I created this free resource:

Whether you’re a brand-new mom, a single parent, or a seasoned grandparent, this printable journal will help you pause, remember, and pass it on.

What’s Inside:

✅ Reflective prompts like:

• When did God show up for you in an impossible situation?
  
• What lies has He replaced with truth?
  
• What “Egypt” did He deliver you from?
  
• What answered prayers still bring you to tears?
  
  

✅ Simple journaling space for quiet time, dinner conversations, or bedtime chats
✅ Layouts for printing, gifting, or recording audio/video for future generations

How to Use It:

🖊️ Fill it out during your morning devotions
👨‍👩‍👧 Read it with your kids at bedtime or Sunday dinner
🎁 Gift it to your children as a keepsake
🎙️ Record yourself reading your answers to preserve your legacy

It’s a great companion to this post and will give you even more encouragement and practical steps as you begin walking in renewal. 

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A Little Encouragement

You don’t have to be a theologian.
You don’t need a perfect past.

You just need a willing heart.

God didn’t ask you to impress your children—He asked you to lead them.
And often, the most powerful way to do that… is to tell the story.

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Listen to Episode 83: Tell the Story

This week’s podcast dives deeper into Exodus 13 and gives you practical tools, real-life encouragement, and a powerful reminder that your faith story still matters.

🎙️ Listen Now:

With grace and gratitude,

Additional Resources:

Download the FREE Healing Mirror eBook
Get the Happy Kid Toolkit – Discipleship meets Emotional Health
Register for the February 2026 Renew & Restore Women’s Retreat
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Book a Coaching or Counseling Session