The Bible speaks about the idea of a “generational curse” - that not just individuals, but entire families, suffer when a member of the family falls into sin.

Talking Points:

  • The generational curse. Numbers 14:18 speaks about the idea of a “generational curse” – that not just individuals, but entire families, suffer when a member of the family falls into sin.
  • Not in the Bible? The phrase “generational curse” is not actually used in the Bible.
  • Audience and timeframe. The OT passages that describe the “generational curse” have a particular meaning to a particular people at a particular time. We should not apply the passages to Christians today, though they contain valuable principles.
  • Prescriptive vs. descriptive language. We must exercise caution in applying OT laws to the Church at large or to Christians living today.
  • Recognizing that other people suffer when we sin is important, true, and certainly at play in the passages of the OT that describe the “generational curse.” But we must exercise caution in deciding that we or someone else are under God’s curse when we know that we are living under the royal law of Christ, not the Law of Moses.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Have you ever known a family or person who seem to be under a generational curse? Share as it is appropriate.
  3. Have you ever known a family or person who seem to be under a generational blessing (Deuteronomy 7:9)? Explain.
  4. Was God “wrong” or “unfair” to punish to the third or fourth generation in the Old Testament? Job seems to have a problem with this idea in Job 21:19-20. Explain.
  5. What is the significance of God cursing to the third or fourth generation but blessing to the thousandth generation? Explain.
  6. If someone in the “cursed” third or fourth generation repented to God and sought His mercy, what would happen?
  7. How is it relevant that these verses explaining the generational curse are written to the Hebrews before they go into the land of Israel? Explain.
  8. Read Romans 8:1. How is this verse relevant to this topic?
  9. How would someone go about getting a generational curse lifted?
  10. Explain the difference between suffering because of sin and being punished by God because of sin.
  11. Is it appropriate to use the phrase “generational curse” in regards to Christians? Explain.
  12. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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