To the Tenth Generation: God’s Heart for Your Family, Far into the Future

by Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Jani Ortlund

In the midst of family life, most days are too busy to think far into the future. Then once the children are grown, family life can feel like mostly memories, often tinged with regrets. And the future? More worries and fears, laden with unknowns.

But you and your family right now, whatever your ages, whatever you’re facing, are living within a much larger story than you might realize. Your faithful efforts today matter. They are how God himself shapes the future. His heart can create in your home a culture of faith that will strengthen your family To the Tenth Generation.

Sound impossible? Ray and Jani Ortlund help bring such unimaginable thoughts down into the everyday ordinary of home and marriage and parenting—even grandparenting. With refreshing honesty and wise counsel, they invite you to experience the greatness that God can accomplish through a Christian family. It can happen, yes, in your family—now and for many, many, many years to come.

Also available, a picture book for children and  Your Family Is God's His Mercy from Generation to Generation.

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality, Family, Religion, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Pastor Ray Ortlund received a B.A. from Wheaton College, Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, M.A. from The University of California, Berkeley, and Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Pastor Ortlund served as Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, from 1989-1998. He was ordained by Lake Avenue Congregational Church, Pasadena, California, in 1975

In addition to a number of essays and articles, he has published several books. Ray also participated in The New Living Translation and the English Standard Version of the Bible. He contributed the introduction and study notes to the book of Isaiah in The ESV Study Bible.

Ray is the President of Renewal Ministries, a regional director in the Acts29 Network and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition.

Ray and his wife Jani have been married for forty-one happy years, and they have four delightful children. Ray says, "I have the most wonderful wife, I love my kids and grandkids, and I love Immanuel Church. My dream is that God would use us for true revival in our city."

Reviews

[Jennifer Squire]

I loved starting the new year off with this book. It gave me many new prayers that I started praying right away while also encouraging a long term vision and prayers for generations to come.

Many practical helps throughout, but chapter 8 in particular was my favorite. It dripped with wisdom, hope, and the knowingness of how families inevitably hurt one another, but believers can also begin again again and again…

Helpful for any parent, may be particularly helpful for a “first generation” believer who lacks spiritual parents or grandparents.

[Tim Casteel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the mindset: aim to change the world over the next 200 years through your direct descendants.

Over the next 10 generations/200 years, your family will potentially multiply to 55,000 people. Live your life "for the sake of your future family".
"Your kingdom come, your will be done, through this family."

The main two steps are 1) for you to personally walk with God and 2) create a flourishing marriage. Everything flows from those two.

One of the greatest impacts you will make on your extended family is how you walk with God "even when it’s hard, even when you suffer, especially when you suffer."
Ortlund quotes Wormwood, the demon of CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters: "Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

Particularly helpful are his chapters on repentance and forgiveness. You are a sinner, raising sinful children who will have sinful grandchildren. Perfection is not possible. So a longterm legacy will require repentance and forgiveness.

[Annalee Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. Very thankful for Ray and Jani’s perspective. I see Deuteronomy 23 and the phrase “To the tenth generation” in a new light.

[Kelsie Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like sitting down with the wise older couple at church and letting them just encourage the snot out of you. A good reminder that we don’t need to always be working outside the box- love your kids, say yes unless there’s a good reason to say no, and point them to Jesus. Not to say it’s easy, but it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Definitely recommend this!

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope. That’s what this book is full of!!! Hopeful, expectant optimism permeates the Ortlund’s plea with the reader to trust God with their family. The practical suggestions are helpful, but the clear strength of the book is that is paints a grace-filled optimistic picture of what God can do through our families long after we are gone.

This book will be a consistent resource in my ministry to families of all ages going forward.

[Taliah Kendrick]

This book is like gleaning wisdom over a cup of coffee with mentors.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Loved this simple and short read that gave a lot of practical wisdom for how to pass on your love for Christ to your kids and their kids and so on. Would definitely recommend to everyone but especially other young families wondering what rhythms you should practice so that your children can learn to know and love Jesus.

[Emily Gunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and makes me excited for teaching our little girl more and more about God

[Denisa Ostas · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book, I kept thinking of my parents faith. Their strong faith in God and how they shaped our lives through the Bible.
I felt honoured reading this book. It’s like reading Ortlund’s legacy. Ray and Jane put in wonderful words and stories what it meant to them to raise children in christian faith.
With biblical wisdom, practical advices, short memories from children, this book fills your soul with fresh water.
Loved it!

“No one else can treasure your children as meaningfully as you.

One reason God allows us parents to face insurmountable challenges todays: it is for our children’s sake.

God gave you your precious family to play a crucial role in his strategy for the redemption of the world.

Your devotion to Jesus is the absolute, number-one, most valuable inheritance you can pass down to your family.

The destiny of nations lies far more in the hands of women- the mothers - than in the possessors of power.”

[Spencer Traver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray & Jani are clear about the purpose of this book early on in writing, "This book is not a family management guide...(but) an investment proposal...to live your present life for the sake of your future family."

To that end, the book is deeply rich with insights for leading your family today in light of ten generations from now.

As a husband and father of three (with 4 generations alive in my broader family), it's eye-opening and inspiring to think of living in light of the tenth generation from where we stand today. Ray & Jani do a great job inviting the reader to feel encouraged and excited about all that God can accomplish in the lives of those willing to submit their families (to the tenth generation) unto Him.

Specifically, I really resonated with chapter 8 (When Family Feels like a Failure). It's easy to walk away from a book that casts a vision as large as this, and to feel inadequate to live differently because of it. That's exactly what Ray & Jani get at in this chapter, writing that, "Your hope for your future family is not found in your perfect performance. Your hope is in Christ...we don't deserve his blessing, but Jesus did all the deserving for us." They do an excellent job balancing the call of God and grace of God, and this chapter is the pinnacle of that theme.

I'd give this book 4.5/5 stars. It's an excellent read for any family leader.

[Michael Hands · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the Tenth Generation is a warm and edifying read from two parents whose lives and legacy speak louder than any parenting theory. Ray and Jani Ortlund offer reflections rooted in lived experience, writing not just as authors, but as faithful parents and grandparents who have prioritised passing on faith as a generational calling.

This book doesn’t major on techniques or step-by-step instructions for parenting. Instead, it’s rich with the deeper values and gospel-shaped convictions that should undergird a parent’s approach. It helps parents see their role as sacred and holy—a God-given stewardship with eternal implications.

While some readers may wish for more “how-to” content, what the book offers instead is something arguably more important: a compelling vision for parenting as discipleship. The practical encouragements are simple, real, and grounded in Scripture.

Ultimately, To the Tenth Generation will leave you inspired—challenged not just to raise good kids, but to raise generations of faith. It’s a valuable read for any parent longing to intentionally and faithfully shape the spiritual future of their family.

[Kailyn Gunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the heart behind this book and the way the Ortlund family tries to communicate with gentleness and truth! At times the writing style felt a bit simplistic and I wanted them to explore this topic in more depth. A few takeaways that we may try to implement. Ultimately some great reminders but did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would.

[Roger Osorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book about family I’ve read. Gave such a compelling, beautiful, and yet practical view on the eternal impact your family can have. From this point forward, I plan to gift this to anyone who is having a kid.

[Sara Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and encouraging book! Gentle and practical wisdom for loving and praying for your family to the 10th generation.

[Kevyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful read, and provides a great biblical view on family with practical examples and encouragement. Highly recommend!

[Crystal Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book worth reading over and over again. I also took a lot of gems away from this book.

[Whitney Frasier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reminders of ways to view your family beyond the current generations. Great practical advice and prayers. Would recommend to any Christian to-be or current parent or grandparent. 👍🏼

[Claire Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel like I should probably come back and read this when I’m older/have kids.

[Lizzie Attaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a *must* read for every Christian parent! I do not read many parenting books, because I am very picky about who I receive parenting advice from. The Ortlund’s are people I will always seek to learn from. Their wisdom is proven, gospel-centered, practical, and inspiring. I will come back to this book again and again.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a timely encouraging read for me to read. Recently, I lost my last grandparent (though thankfully, he died peacefully at home and lived a full 95 years) living on earth. While reading this book, To the Tenth Generation: God’s Heart for Your Family, Far into the Future by Ray and Jani Ortlund, every time it mentioned the generation to generation, it reminded me of his faith. This helps remind me of my responsibility and gives me the encouragement to keep going.

If you like me sometimes, you are not sure what that looks like or how to do it. This book gives helpful information and Biblical scripture to help you on your way to raising the next generation. This book is written to help you know your purpose and your families purpose from God. Encouraging you to pray for future generations, the importance of your marriage, parenting in today’s culture, and what to do in challenging times and what we can do to help future generations.

Some of my highlights:

You can’t control the future, but you can invest in it.
You can not give to your children any life you do not have living within yourself.
Hands down, the greatest gift you can pass along to your family is your own devotion to Jesus.
In an angry world where everyone is skating on thin ice, a gospel-culture family is a safe haven.
It takes moment by moment sacrifice. But a truly Christian home is so worth it.
I believed God calls us to certain standards that weren’t necessarily the standards of other believers.
When children are allowed to disobey their parents, they are being taught to disobey God too.
Real obedience means following Christ even when His path is scary, unpopular, or hard.
You are never wrong to expect of a church a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Real repentance is not just a momentary regret but a whole lifestyle adjustment.
We must beware of cheapening forgiveness
“His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” Luke 1:50

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray and Jani Ortlund looked at God’s bias toward blessing, and they concluded that if “back in Deuteronomy, God banned certain tribes and groups ‘to the tenth generation,’ how might the how-much-more heart of God bless our family, and your family, To the Tenth Generation.“

This thought changed the way they prayed for their family, and, doing the math, they realized that their prayers were reaching two hundred years into the future and could impact as many as 55,000 family descendants. That’s only ten thousand shy of the population of Portland—Maine’s largest city.

According to the Ortlunds, trusting God for a grace-oriented marriage may be the most powerful thing we can do to influence our family’s future because a committed marriage is a vivid picture of the gospel love story.

The biblical record demonstrates that God is prone to selecting ordinary people to put his glory on display. By treasuring God’s word and treasuring one another an unremarkable family will, nonetheless, manage to make a mark.

Families with a “tenth gen” impact may be ordinary, but they are not isolated. Being deeply rooted in a local church takes the sting off any rejection a believer may experience from the prevailing culture. Sticking with our fellow Christians requires a sinewy determination to forgive, to serve, to get along, and to suffer well—all biblical commands as well as sound habits for living.

A lot of books about the family read like heavy-duty instruction manuals and they inspire hopelessness. To the Tenth Generation takes a long view and emphasizes the importance of simple faithfulness, walking in the fear of the Lord as we welcome our children and our grandchildren to walk alongside us, fueled by the Spirit and cherished by grace.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the beauty of this book is ray and jani, the amazing human beings, full of warmth and wisdom, truly loving small people, walking in integrity, and just the legacy of living many decades faithfully. They are some of my personal heroes and friends and I've been hearing about this tenth generation idea from their ministry for maybe a decade now.

But even with many of the ideas in here already familiar to me, this book felt like an enormous dose of grace. I cried. I had good discussions. I felt inspired. How can I explain? Loving and following Jesus and having a family that does is something I want with all my heart. But I have a lot of baggage. Maybe you do too. I have sinned and made mistakes and hurt the people I love. And I remember meeting the Ortlunds and being stunned, truly stunned, that anyone could be like them. I have watched and read and studied them and tried to glean any wisdom possible because the beauty of their lives is that powerful and undeniable.

And in this book they are so encouraging to someone like me! There really is the hope of creating a beautiful family culture and cherishing the Lord and your children. It will mostly be walking in reality with God, praying praying, having eyes of faith. And also there are many helpful ideas such as working to know your kids, having a culture of reading, etc

The end of the book has a chapter about broken family dynamics that could have gone so many directions, but it is nuanced and wise and helpful. How could it be otherwise with these faithful and trustworthy guides?

I love them and i loved this book.

[Alice]

Ray and Jani talk about how God’s promise of blessing, the importance and impact of family, and the necessity of long term vision need to be recaptured.

“He will never waste a life or a family or the future generations of a family who are devoted to him.”

“They shall not labour in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them” Isaiah 65:23

The ordinary life of faithful Christian living builds the Kingdom in mighty ways.

Reading this, I was often thinking on the privilege I have to have godly Christian parents myself. When I was 12 I remember trying to work out what I could get my dad for his birthday. I don’t recall now if I ended up on a gift or not but I know I decided to memorise the first half of John 10. I knew even then that the Word of God was what he loved and wanted me to love too. My parents taught us to treasure family, to love and serve one another.


While I appreciated the long term vision and the push to live and pray in light of that, there were a couple aspects of the book I don’t 100% agree with. For example in one chapter they mention not talking about money, careers, or politics but instead focussing on Jesus. I would say though that Jesus speaks into all those things and so we should talk about them too—how to bring all of our lives into submission to his ways.

That said, I think we could all do with the reminder of what God has promised and his covenant blessings for the generations.

We leave a legacy as we trust God and continue in obedience to him through trials and suffering. And that legacy can result in pleasing for thousands.

[Courtney Shevchenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. 


Things that I really appreciated: 


#1: The constant reminders of how God's plans are bigger than anything we can imagine. 

#2: The emphasis on how God's covenant continues through a multitude of generations.

#3: The emphasis on how our marriages are (should be) a picture of God's plan for the church.

#4: The emphasis on what the aromas of our home life/home culture should be as we reflect the covenant that the Lord has been faithful to keep.

#5: The reflections shared by the Ortlund (grown) children throughout the book on how they remember their childhood home life.


If you are brand-new to learning about covenant theology and some of it's practical implications in home and family life, this would be a great starting point. I didn't agree with everything in the book- a few things here and there had me raising an eyebrow (the recommendation of using the Jesus Storybook Bible, for instance), but in general, this was a nice, light read about God's covenant to the generations of those who follow Christ and how we reflect that covenant in our home life and home relationships. 


Disclaimer: I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Paul Baker]

2025-06-13

Review 2025.05.004

Reviewers Note: It is the beginning of 2025 and one of the skills I desire to grow in is that of writing book reviews (having never done this before). I am doing this so I can better hone my writing (and reading) skills as I seek to think more critically about the books I am reading. I am sharing on Goodreads for my own personal development. I know this will be something I am always growing in so if you actually read these, please be patient with me as I develop this skill. I will also receive constructive criticism if you desire to help me become a better writer (and reader). I plan to use this disclaimer for the entire 2025 year.

To the Tenth Generation by Ray Ortlund
192 Pages

This book was underwhelming. I do not know what I was expecting but this didn’t meet my expectations. That does not mean it was bad. I believe there are people who could benefit greatly from this book but that was not me in this season.

I do believe that parents should think generationally. And while I am sure there are some that exist, most parents and grandparents that I know are just trying to survive. May Father help them to see the potential in their families for generations to come and to act.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise behind this book, to impact descendants for ten generations, might seem a bit unrealistic. Regardless, building practices like these into your family life will impact your family for many years to come and give your children a gift which cannot be substituted. I appreciate the wisdom and experiences the Ortlunds share which can be helpful to parents of children of all ages. An extraordinary privilege is given to us to shepherd the souls of the young ones in our care and to sow seeds of God’s eternal truth in their hearts. The Ortlunds have given us a tool to help us to steward that gift well.

[Lisa Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this since it was published in 2024. This book was so encouraging and challenging. The Ortlunds remind of God's purpose for families, of the beautiful design He created in families and how God promises to use our parenting efforts today to impact future generations to proclaim His glory and goodness. I came away with many fresh ideas for my husband and I to discuss as we strive to raise our kids up in the knowledge and the fear of the Lord and to teach them of His marvelous works. I appreciated that it wasn't a "how to" book but more of the theology and purpose of families.

[Kiera Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never would have imagined the gospel impact/legacy trent and I could have on our family (family we’ll never even meet!!!) just by faithfully living for Christ right now.

“If our family keeps growing at its present rate of acceleration, in ten generations these 1971 starry-eyed lovebirds will have multiplied to around 55,000 people-a city about the size of Sarasota, Florida.”

This book opened my eyes to the simplicity of loving God in our home and to pray big for my fam in hopes that by Gods grace, in 10 generations there could be a whole city of Jesus lovin Joneses.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plenty of helpful books with knowledge about parenting are available to us today, but what sets this one apart for me is the perspective that the choices we make for how to guide our families will trickle down through many generations to come. As parents, what we do in our homes right now has the potential to bless the future generations we will never meet in our time on this earth. I’m thankful to the Ortlund family for both the godly wisdom found here and the practical applications and encouragement to lead our family well!

[Ashton Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Perspective Shift

This book made me think about family in many ways I haven’t yet. While I only have 1 very young child now, I have been encouraged and challenged that every day matters for eternity, even now. I would recommend this book to anyone that needs a refresh or reset in the trenches of parenting, and the feeling that you have 2 older mentors sitting next to you holding your hand through it.