Proverbs22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. KJV
Sometimes ago, i visited a family. When I got there, we heard a knock on the door, they inquired to know who was at the door. When the man replied, the children quickly cleared the house of all that could show their dad was around. No single trace found. I wondered what was happening so I asked. I was told that their dad already gave an instruction that when that particular man comes, they should tell him he wasn't around. Eventually, when they let the man in, that was what they told him. I saw their dad when he returned from work and I knew he was inside. The man taught them to lie. The little I know about them, the children and their mother were fond of lying to the man as well. There's no openness in that family.
Some mothers mentored their daughters in the school of ungodliness. They raised their daughters never to be truthful to their husbands especially on financial matters. They make them believe all men are the same and do not deserve to be told the truth. Such daughters grow up to lie and use under handed methods in dealing with their husbands. Some fathers modeled to their sons never to be truthful to their wives about their finances. Some modeled irresponsible living. A man once told his wife he can't stay faithful to her only because no one does in his family. His father ran after anything in skirt even after marrying two wives. This man flaunted his immoral lifestyle.This led to a big trouble in their marriage that almost made his wife stab him. Whatever happens, I'm sure their children are watching. Only the future will tell.
Though godly living is not genetically transferred but it can be modeled for the next generation to imitate. Speaking about Timothy, Paul said, "I remember your sincere and unqualified faith [the surrendering of your entire self to God in Christ with confident trust in His power, wisdom and goodness, a faith] which first lived in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am confident that it is in you as well", 2Tim1:5, AMP. Children learn primarily by imitation. They can adhere to instructions for fear of discipline but what will eventually become their predominant character, perspective and world view in later years is what they see their parents do. We need to be intentional about parenting. They're watching. We need to consciously pass on the baton of godliness to the next generation.
Father, I receive the grace to be a godly model to the next generation in Jesus name