Are Family Curses (and Blessings) Real? (Acts 16) | The PursueGOD Truth Podcast

Welcome back to the podcast! In today's episode, we'll be talking about family curses...and blessings! Are they still a thing? Listen to find out!<br />
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Q. Are Family Curses (and Blessings) Real?<br />
Super scary verse in the OT (Second Commandment):<br />
Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT) 4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. <br />
Generational curses? <br />
Need to cast out demons? “Bondage Breaker” book<br />
No! This is more about learned behavior<br />
Third and fourth generations<br />
You may have met these people!<br />
Influence extends to grandkids and great grandchildren<br />
Principle: parenting matters!<br />
You will pass on more than you think<br />
Family idols (even today)<br />
Alcoholism<br />
Pride, selfishness<br />
Materialism (wealth)<br />
But don’t miss the next verse<br />
Exodus 20:6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.<br />
God wants to bless your family!<br />
A thousand generations vs. 3 or 4<br />
But look at the recipient of this<br />
Those who love me and obey my commands<br />
The greatest generational blessing: salvation<br />
Households where grandparents, parents, kids are all followers<br />
Nothing better than this<br />
Very few families have it<br />
We’re going to see this in action in 3 families in Acts 16 today…<br />
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Acts 16: (NLT) 1 Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek.<br />
This is Paul’s second missionary journey <br />
First time we meet Timothy. This guy becomes Paul’s protege. <br />
Jewish mom<br />
Greek dad<br />
2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT) 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.<br />
Notice: no mention of father<br />
Dad was likely not a Gentile follower of God<br />
If he was, he would have had Timothy circumcised<br />
One more hint about Timothy’s upbringing…<br />
2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT) 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.<br />
Taught by mother and grandmother!<br />
The point: if you want to pass on your faith, teach your kids the Bible early and often<br />
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Next passage:<br />
Acts 16:13-14 (NLT) 13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the...<br />
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Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/24091056?utm_source=youtube