What Is Your Spiritual Family Tree?

In both the Answers and Kids Answers magazines this time around, you’ll find outstanding articles that discuss the ecological importance of trees. Trees that can grow tall and strong enough for kids to climb on, but can also burn and crumble to ash. You’ll discover some fun facts and scintillating science, but don’t stop with the science. Let these articles help you focus on the importance of nurturing a healthy “spiritual family tree” in your own life.

illustration by Viktor Miller-Gausa

Dale Mason
Publisher

To get a quick visual image of your own spiritual family tree, grab a blank piece of paper and a pencil. First, draw the trunk of an oak or maple or weeping willow . . . doesn’t matter. Just a simple trunk with no roots and no branches. Label that with your first name.

Next, beneath the tree trunk, sketch several roots and label the thickest roots with the names of people who have nurtured you spiritually—the person who led you to saving faith in Jesus Christ, a friend who prays with you, a family member who helps find answers to biblical and cultural questions, or a pastor or teacher who establishes you firmly in the Scriptures. For now, just label the first four or five spiritual “roots” that come to mind (you can add more later).

Finally, add your branches. Maybe with leaves, maybe without. The branches represent people you have helped (or hope to help) to grow and blossom in Christ. At first you may find it easier to identify your “roots” than your “branches,” but that’s okay. That’s part of the reason for sketching this tree.

Now, write “My Spiritual Family Tree” somewhere on the page, and then sign and date it. Fold it and place it in your Bible to revisit from time to time. Add more roots and branches as God grows and uses you. And whenever you pull out this sketch, praise the Lord for those who are roots, and pray for those he is reaching as your branches.

Trees are beautiful, but they aren’t just for looking at. Admiring creation can also remind us to reflect upon the Creator and his work in us. What is your spiritual heritage? What seeds are you planting to leave a godly legacy?