What kind of legacy are we really building?

Not necessarily the kind that receives applause or recognition, but the quieter kind built through everyday conversations, relationships and the example we set for the people coming after us.

On this edition of Arise with Eloho, the conversation centred on nurturing faith in children, the importance of early spiritual foundations, and the role different generations can play in helping one another grow in faith.

Eloho was joined by Jen Robertson of the Scottish Bible Society, who has spent decades working with children and young people, beginning in nursing and youth ministry before moving into her current role supporting children, young people and families in engaging with the Bible across generations.

 

The people who shape our faith

The conversation began with a reflection on the people who influence our faith when we are young.

For Jen, that person was her father. When she was 11, her father came to faith, and the change affected the whole family. He gave Jen a Bible and Bible-reading notes and encouraged her to begin reading Scripture.

Two years later, when she was 13, he took her to a meeting in Glasgow led by evangelist Luis Palau. It was there that she realised she needed to say yes to Jesus and begin following Him.

Her story highlighted how seemingly simple actions by parents and other adults can become part of a child’s spiritual foundation.

The same question applies to each generation: Who helped shape your faith when you were young?

It could have been a parent, grandparent, teacher, pastor, youth leader, godparent or another person who consistently modelled faith.

 

Why working with children matters

Jen explained that her passion for working with children began partly from her own experience as a child.

At around eight years old, she remembered occasions when adults spoke to her in ways she felt were unfair. She made a personal decision that she would never treat children that way and became passionate about creating spaces where children’s voices could be heard and where they could have the opportunity to respond to God.

She also reflected on how different her life looks from what she might have imagined as a teenager. As a young person, she was very shy and uncomfortable with public speaking.

Her transformation, she said, came through the Holy Spirit.

Jen described herself now as an introvert rather than simply a shy person. She has learnt that she needs quiet and time alone to recharge, but that does not prevent her from leading or speaking publicly.

Her confidence no longer comes from worrying about what other people think of her. Instead, it comes from knowing how God sees and loves her.

This is particularly important for young people who may feel that their personality disqualifies them from leadership or from answering God’s call.

 

A growing hunger for the Bible among young people

Jen spoke about what she has been seeing among young people, particularly in the UK.

There is an increasing interest among children and young people in reading the Bible. Many of them, particularly younger generations such as Generation Alpha, are growing up with little or no connection to traditional church life.

Because they do not necessarily come with established ideas about Christianity, some are approaching the Bible with genuine curiosity.

Jen shared examples of children attending school Scripture Union groups and asking for a Bible because they had never seen one before.

She described this as a potentially significant moment, with some people referring to it as a quiet revival.

An important part of this is creating spaces where young people can ask honest questions about Scripture without feeling that they have to already understand everything.

Questions such as, “I don’t understand this,” or “How does this fit with the culture I know?” can become opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith.

One young person at a residential event even asked whether Jesus really wanted to be their best friend.

For Jen, moments like this demonstrate the importance of simply giving young people access to God’s Word and allowing them the space to explore it.

 

Bibles for Bairns

A major part of the conversation was the Scottish Bible Society’s Bibles for Bairns initiative.

“Bairns” is a Scottish term for children. The programme provides Bible-related resources to children born in Scotland during their early years.

Parents or carers can register eligible babies, and the child receives a series of resources as they grow.

The programme includes:

• A toddler Bible at the child’s first birthday
• A colours and numbers book at age two
• Snap cards using images from the Bible at age three
• An activity book at age four
• A complete children’s Bible at age five

The resources are individually wrapped and accompanied by a handwritten birthday card.

The purpose goes beyond simply giving children books. The hope is that these resources will help families encounter Jesus and begin conversations around faith within the home.

At the time of the programme discussed on the show, registration was open for babies born in 2025, with future registration expected to include babies born in 2026.

Children who fall outside the programme’s registration period cannot be added retrospectively, but families and churches can still purchase and gift children’s Bibles to older children.

 

When a children’s Bible reaches an entire family

Jen shared a story that demonstrated how something as simple as a children’s Bible can have an impact beyond the child who receives it.

A babysitter was looking after a little girl and asked her to find a book they could read together.

The child brought out her toddler Bible.

As the babysitter read the Bible with her, she remembered hearing about Jesus when she was younger. The experience stirred something in her, and after leaving the house she continued thinking about Jesus.

She eventually found a local church, became a Christian and was baptised.

Another example involved a woman from a church in Scotland that had lost many of its families and children.

After hearing about Bibles for Bairns, she began looking for opportunities to connect with families in her wider community. She spoke to people at places such as the library, health centre and toddler groups and eventually registered 12 babies for the programme.

The impact therefore extended beyond the church building and into the wider community.

 

Why intergenerational faith matters

Another key part of the conversation was the importance of intergenerational faith.

Jen argued that faith grows within community and that the biblical pattern was not one where every age group was constantly separated.

Children, young people and adults were present together in many biblical settings. Paul’s letters, for example, were read to whole communities rather than being restricted to particular age groups.

Jen believes the church can lose something important when generations are separated too much.

An older Christian has experiences and perspectives that a child may need to hear. At the same time, children and young people have their own understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, and older generations can learn from them too.

The goal is not to eliminate youth groups, children’s ministries or peer groups. Those spaces are valuable.

The issue is balance.

Intergenerational connection should not become the exception. Different generations need opportunities to worship, learn and talk about faith together.

 

Faith in the middle of everyday life

For busy families, Jen stressed that spiritual development does not need to become another complicated task on an already crowded schedule.

Instead, faith can become part of ordinary life.

Parents can model what it looks like to read the Bible, pray and talk about God. Conversations can happen around the dinner table, in the car, while walking or even while playing.

Simple questions can create opportunities for spiritual conversations:

• What do you think about what we just read?
• What part did you like?
• What part was difficult?
• Did God speak to you today?
• Is there something you’re thankful to God for today?

The emphasis is not on forcing children into a formal routine every time. It is about being available when they are ready to talk and allowing faith to become part of everyday family life.

Bedtime Bible reading was also highlighted as a simple practice that can create a lasting rhythm.

Jen shared the story of a Ukrainian woman who received a children’s Bible during a difficult period in her life because of the war. She and her children began reading it together at night.

Over time, it became a tradition.

The woman eventually realised that although she was still experiencing loneliness, she was no longer alone because she had encountered God.

 

Resources for families, churches and schools

Jen also discussed several resources from the Scottish Bible Society designed to help families, churches and schools engage with Scripture.

Must Know Bible Stories is designed to support the teaching of Christianity within Scotland’s religious and moral education curriculum. The resource allows children to explore Bible stories while engaging with wider questions and cross-curricular learning.

Wonder Walks encourage families and groups to combine Bible reading with walking, conversation and activities. The approach makes it possible for different generations to explore Scripture together in a relaxed setting.

Another resource, Joseph and the Triumph of Grace, uses illustrations to tell the story of Joseph from Genesis before providing the full biblical text in an accessible translation. It also includes questions and additional material to encourage discussion.

The Scottish Bible Society also provides resources for churches wanting to create more intergenerational gatherings, including materials for occasions such as Easter, Ascension and Pentecost.

 

Parents do not need to carry the burden of perfection

One of the most important messages from the conversation was directed towards parents and grandparents who worry that they are not doing enough spiritually.

Jen’s advice was simple: don’t live under guilt.

Parents cannot control how their children will ultimately respond to Jesus.

Their responsibility is to keep loving their children, keep loving Jesus, model their faith and take opportunities to share what they know.

The anxiety and concern parents carry for their children’s spiritual lives can be taken to God in prayer rather than placed on the children themselves.

Faith formation is about planting seeds.

Sometimes the results are not immediately visible. But the conversations, prayers, Bible stories, examples and everyday acts of faith can become part of a child’s foundation and may continue to speak to them long after childhood.

 

Building a legacy that lasts

The central message of the conversation was that legacy is often built quietly.

It can happen around a kitchen table.

In the car on the way to school.

During a bedtime Bible story.

Through a question from a child.

Through a grandparent sharing what they have learnt from years of following Jesus.

Through a parent simply continuing to model faith, even when they are unsure whether their child is paying attention.

The legacy may never receive public applause, but it can shape another person’s understanding of God for years to come.

And sometimes, the smallest act, such as placing a Bible in a child’s hands, can become the beginning of something much bigger.

 

Join the Conversation

What kind of faith legacy are you building for the next generation?

Share your thoughts in the comment section. We’d love to know what you learnt from this conversation.

Have a story, testimony or experience to share? Send us an email at info@heartsonglive.co.uk.

Your story could encourage another family or generation.

Let’s keep the conversation going.