Want to know how to leave a lasting legacy? Here are 10 verses and questions to help you reflect on what kind of legacy you want to leave.
1. Values
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:23
Reflect:
What values are important to you that you want to pass on as part of your legacy?
2. Your Eulogy
Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
Reflect:
When your eulogy is read, what do you hope you are remembered for?
3. Life Verse
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8
Reflect:
What is your life verse?
4. Defining Success
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
—Jesus in John 15:5
"People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall."
—Thomas Merton
Reflect:
How will you ensure your ladder isn’t leaning against the wrong wall? In other words, what can you devote your life to that honors God?
5. The Next Generation
He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
Psalm 78:5-7
Reflect:
When you think about the next generation (or children not yet born), how do you want to pave the way for them to step into a relationship with God?
6. God’s House
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
Reflect:
How can you use your time, talents, or treasure to build God’s House?
7. Protecting Your Legacy
Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.
Song of Solomon 2:15
Reflect:
What little things have the potential to rob you of the big things in life (such as distractions, offenses, comparisons, misaligned priorities, or sin)?
8. Relationships
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
Reflect:
What relationships are the most important to invest in?
9. Eternal Impact
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Reflect:
How can you delay gratification today for a better future tomorrow and an eternal impact?
10. Mentorship
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Reflect:
Who can partner with you in prayer, mentor you, or help you make wise decisions? Who can you pray for, mentor, and help make wise decisions with their life?