“ … that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.” — Exodus 10:2

During this month, I’m sharing with you weekly devotions based on my book, Generations to Generations: Passing on the Legacy of Faith to Our Children. These devotions are tied to the holy observance of Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, which commemorates the Exodus and redemption of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt. This year, Passover is celebrated at sundown April 8 to sundown April 16.

One of my first childhood memories is at our family seder, the ritual Passover meal. I am the youngest of three daughters, and so once I was old enough to read, it was my job to ask the traditional “Four Questions” at the outset of the seder. I can remember standing on a chair in my nice new dress while the entire family looked at me in proud expectation. After I recited the four questions in Hebrew, everyone cheered, and the seder began.

At the time, I didn’t understand that what I was doing had been performed by the youngest child for thousands upon thousands of years. I was simply the next in a long line of ancestors to ask these questions on Passover eve.

The Four Questions highlight four unusual aspects of the Passover seder. The text begins, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” and specifies four unusual aspects of the seder – the we eat matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs, dip our vegetables, and eat reclining like royalty.

These questions provide a springboard to tell the Passover story and teach others about God. As we read in the Bible, “that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD” Through the Exodus story, we talk about the fundamental ideas of the Jewish faith— that God is with us in our suffering, that He hears our prayers, that He cares about His people, and that He intervenes in human history to bring about salvation.

Sharing our stories – both collective and personal – is the lifeblood of faith. When we tell how God’s hand has directed our lives, we remember God’s presence in our own lives and inspire others to see God in theirs. Children and adults alike love to hear stories – and as part of the chain stretching all the way back to the Exodus, we have the privilege and responsibility to share ours with them.

Your turn: What season of life are you in? What blessings and opportunities are there in this particular time of your life? Share with us in the comments section below.