Faith & Legacy: Giving Youth a Bigger Story

The day after Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, one message still echoes in my mind: legacy. The service wasn’t only about mourning a life cut short; it was about carrying forward a mission. That idea—living for something beyond ourselves—holds powerful truth for how we guide the next generation.

Why Youth Need a “Bigger Story”

Today’s teens and young adults are navigating a world that often feels fragile and unfair. Violence, cultural division, and uncertainty can leave them asking, Does my life really matter?

The answer is yes—but they won’t believe it unless we help them see it. Youth thrive when they know their lives are part of something bigger. Legacy isn’t just about leaving behind possessions or achievements; it’s about passing on values, faith, and purpose that outlast a lifetime.

When we anchor young people in a “bigger story”—whether it’s rooted in faith, family, or a cause—they gain resilience. They stop drifting from one distraction to the next and begin living with a sense of mission.

Coaching Application: Shaping Goals Around Legacy

As youth leaders, mentors, and coaches, one of the best tools we can give is perspective. Instead of asking teens only about short-term goals—grades, wins, or social milestones—shift the conversation toward legacy.

Here’s a simple but powerful question:
“If someone was telling your story 10 years from now, what would you want them to say?”

That question reframes success. Suddenly, their focus moves beyond the next exam or the next game. They begin thinking about the kind of person they want to become—the values they want to be known for, the impact they want to leave.

This approach doesn’t minimize short-term goals; it elevates them. Good grades or strong performances aren’t just about achievement in the moment—they become stepping stones in a larger story about perseverance, character, and purpose.

Family Application: Passing on a Legacy of Values

Parents play a unique role here. Legacy conversations can—and should—start at home. The best way to teach young people about legacy is to connect them to role models:

• Biblical Heroes – Stories of faith like Abraham, Esther, or Paul remind kids that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

• Family Stories – Grandparents, great-grandparents, or even parents’ own journeys provide real-life lessons about endurance, sacrifice, and faith.

• Mentors and Leaders – Teachers, pastors, and coaches often leave impressions that outlast classroom lessons or practices. Pointing to these influences helps kids see the lasting power of values lived out.

When kids recognize that they’re part of a long line of faith, courage, and service, they stop seeing themselves as isolated. They realize they’re carriers of something bigger.

Legacy Gives Resilience

Here’s the truth: storms will come. Youth will face disappointments, losses, and unfair moments. But when they understand they’re living in a story bigger than the pain of today, they find strength to keep going.

Legacy gives resilience because it shifts perspective from me, right now to us, for eternity.

How We Lead Matters

For parents, teachers, youth leaders, and coaches, this is our challenge: live with legacy in mind ourselves. The next generation doesn’t just need lectures about purpose—they need examples. They’re watching how we respond to setbacks, how we treat people, how we serve God, and how we carry forward what matters most.

If we live with urgency for what lasts, they will too.

Moving Forward

Charlie Kirk’s memorial reminded us that a life lived with mission can outlast even tragedy. For the young people in our homes, classrooms, and teams, this is the lesson we must carry forward.

Let’s give them a bigger story. Let’s root them in faith, connect them to legacy, and challenge them to live in such a way that 10 years from now—or 50 years from now—their story inspires others.

Because the best way to honor a legacy is to live one worth passing on.