Saturday, October 6^th – SAVE THE DATE

We often receive “SAVE THE DATE” announcements for important events such as weddings, birthday parties, or anniversaries.  Well, here is an important “Save the Date” announcement for Saturday, October 6, 2018—Biblical Grandparenting Conference from 9 am to 4 pm at First Baptist Church Wentzville.

Biblical Grandparenting……What does that mean?  What does that look like?   How can we do it?  Where can I go for assistance?

There are many verses in the Bible that instruct us what we should do as Grandparents.  Not a single verse tells us to spoil them, fill them full of sugar and send them home.  I admit that is sometimes tempting since it is so easy to do and besides maybe have a little fun (or pay back) with their parents!

Deuteronomy 4:9 in the NIV reads; “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them”. 

We are to tell always and show when possible what God has done in our lives as long as He allows us to live in this world……no retirement from teaching our Grandkids and Great Grandkids about God, if He allows us to live that long.

I had an elderly Grandmother that I only got to see a couple of times a year since we lived on a dairy farm and she lived in another state—no cell phones, no Skype, no Facetime back then. She seemed to be a nice lady, but I did not have the Grandparent/Grandchild relationship with her.  I had no idea what I was missing until I met my girlfriend’s (now my wife) Grandparents.  They were always kind to me but more importantly, they were such a godly influence on my wife their entire life.  They shared not only the fun times with her but always, always shared not only what God was doing in their lives but also what God could do in hers.  I WANT TO BE THAT TYPE OF GRANDPARENT!  What about you?  We retired a few years ago, and I hate the HOT summers in Missouri, and I hate the COLD winters as well.  So, I thought about moving to the mountains for 6 months then moving to the south for the other 6 months.  Guess what?  We moved to Wentzville so we could be an active part of our Grandchildren’s lives.

The Grandparent Ministry at FBC Wentzville is less than 24 months old but many individuals and couples have had the opportunity to learn how and what we can do to be Biblical Grandparents and to be intentional about sharing Christ with our Grandkids no matter their ages.

This year on Saturday, October 6 from 9:00 – 4:00, we will have a one-day conference with guest speaker Josh Mulvihill, Ph.D.  Josh is a pastor and author of numerous books including: “Biblical Grandparenting.” Josh is a short and to the point type of speaker.  His teaching is very easy to follow and understand.  He will cause you to think, as well as give you practical lessons on how to apply the various topics to your life situations.  Not all have Grandparents like my wife did, sometimes life throws us a curve.  Josh calls that “Messy Grandparenting.”

Some of the topics Josh will cover are:

Understanding the Biblical Role of Grandparents. Every grandparent is given a God-ordained role that is not interchangeable with any other member of the family. Come to this seminar to gain a laser-like focus on what a grandparent’s role is as well as learn the responsibilities grandparents are given by God from the Bible.

Discipling Grandchildren: 8 Spiritual Practices Every Grandparent Can Do. Do you want to help your grandchildren grow in their walk with the Lord? The eight practices presented in this seminar are a synthesis of Josh’s Ph.D. research regarding the best practices that grandparents from across the country utilize to help grandchildren grow in spiritual maturity. You will walk away with practical tools and specific ways that you can invest in the spiritual growth of grandchildren.

Gospel Shaped Grandparenting: 5 Statements that Can Transform Your Family. What difference does the gospel make to grandparenting? For many people, an understanding of the gospel is muddy and it does not translate into everyday living. In this seminar, you will learn how to apply the gospel to the everyday problems you face as grandparents. The gospel provides relational guidance, answers to difficult family situations, and priorities with grandchildren. If you find yourself wondering how you should navigate a family situation, then this seminar may prove helpful. 

Those who attended last year’s conference with Larry Fowler walked away with several tools on becoming an intentional Biblical Grandparent.  This year will be another great opportunity to learn how we can teach our Grandchildren what God has done in our lives as the Bible instructs us to do.

Come and meet Josh on Saturday, October 6.  The $10 conference fee even includes lunch and snacks.  Join us at 9:00 am.  You can go to our website www.fbcwentzville.com to purchase tickets or stop by the Ministry Table in the foyer on Sunday mornings to learn more and get your tickets.

By Chuck Mason

Before the Grandparenting Ministry started at FBCW, we really thought we were doing a terrific job as the fun grandpa and grandma because we were very active in the lives of our grandchildren.  We attended their sports activities, school activities, church activities, cared for them as often as their parents requested, and on top of that, we prayed for them every day.  It was when we began to study with a group of fellow Christian grandparents what God’s Word has to say about our biblical role as Christian grandparents that we realized God’s design for

Intentional Christian Grandparents is so much more.

Together with approximately 25-30 other grandparents from FBCW, we have studied these challenging grandparent topics:

What is the Biblical Role of a Grandparent—Psalm 78:5-6: He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 

Passing on a Heritage of Faith with Enthusiasm and Joy—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Practical Principles for Developing Relationships with Your Grandkids—1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Never Too Late: Encouraging Faith in Your Adult Children—Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Loving Grandkids in Scary Times—Psalms 23:4: Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

How to Pray and Read the Bible With Your Grandchildren—Deuteronomy 6:5-7:And you must love the Lord our God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and you are getting up.

Grandparenting Through a Child’s Divorce—You might be the Esther in your family. God has placed grandparents in the family for “such as time as this” Esther 4:14.

Grandparenting at a Distance—Ephesians 4:2: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 

This ministry began with a group of enthusiastic grandparents forming the Grandparent Ministry Leadership team.  Here are some thoughts the Grandparent Ministry Leadership team  would like to share about how this ministry has impacted them.

Ed Preston:

“The Intentional Grandparenting seminar was so valuable. I would recommend it to all grandparents. I will use many of the ideas with my grandchildren. One method I will use is the practice of asking a blessing on them. (note Numbers 6:24-26) The blessing will focus them on many important areas for their lives when I customize the blessing to their situation and keep them for life.”

Vi Preston:

“The intentional Grandparenting seminar was spectacular.  It gave many practical points on how we can influence our grandchildren toward spiritual things and salvation.  I would recommend it for parents as well as grandparents.”

Angie and Keith Acord:

“We thought we were good grandparents, but what we have realized is that isn't good enough. We weren't being as intentional in presenting the gospel as we are called to do by passing down our faith though the generations. We hope that with age comes wisdom and that wisdom is sharing Christ in a way our grandkids will understand.”

Dallas and Joanne Brower:

“Based on the world's definition and stereotype of grandparenting, and if we were to ask our own, we would probably receive their praise. However, after attending the grandparenting conference we now have a renewed and enlightened view of using God's Word in this position he has given us. When God's Word is applied to grandparenting, we have a new and exciting future with them.”

Dee Schneider:

“I thought the Seminar was absolutely great.  Several things stand out, but I’ll focus on three.

• The cultural deceit – a “leisureville” mentality that downplays and inhibits family ties (we’re spending our children’s inheritance!), or grandparents’ value is captured in their role as playmate for grandchildren. God wants our role as grandparents to be so much more than a playmate.
• The ministry vacuum – Churches currently give little attention to grandparenting.
• Praying a blessing over your grandchildren from Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.

There were so many good things, it’s hard to stop.”

Gary Waller:

“Wow, what a conference!  I did not expect much, and I thought we were doing the right things.  Now, I see much clearer my role as a grandparent and now know we have just scratched the surface.  The presentation and discussions were practical and opened my eyes to God's direction for me as an intentional grandparent.  I strongly feel every grandparent, and every parent should attend this seminar if they are Christians and want to see their kids and grandkids become followers of Jesus Christ.”

Linda Waller:

“After attending the conference, I have a much better understanding of our role in walking beside our children to support, encourage, and reinforce the godly values and lessons our children are endeavoring to teach our grandchildren.  In cases where our grandchildren do not have godly parents, the great command for us to step up to be the godly influence in our grandchildren's lives is very clear.  What I learned from the conference has made me want to be more intentional in my grandparenting so that whether we are eating a meal together, playing a board game, or just hanging together, they will experience the love and grace of Jesus through my words and actions.”

On Saturday, August 26, Larry Fowler, founder of the Legacy Coalition led the Grandparenting Matters Seminar at FBCW.  Those of us who attended came away challenged with a burning passion to pass on a legacy of faith to our grandkids.  We want to be “INTENTIONAL CHRISTIAN GRANDPARENTS” as described in the following declaration.

The Intentional Christian Grandparent Declaration, by Larry Fowler (founder of the Legacy Coalition)

I am a grandparent and this is my declaration. Yes, I am a grandparent, but I am more than a

grandparent. I am a Christian grandparent.

I believe the Bible and the God of the Bible.

I've received the grace of the Gospel of the Christ of the Bible and I desire to be a life-long devoted disciple.

I want my grandchildren to do the same!

Yes, I am a Christian grandparent, but I am more than that. I am an intentional Christian grandparent and this is my declaration.

I love my grandkids, so I will hold them when they're born, I will cuddle them when they are one, chase them when they are two, read to them when they are three, play with them when they are four and laugh at their jokes when they are five. I'll support them, exhort them, cheer them, revere them, I'll praise them; even help raise them. I will be there for them, but that's not enough! As an intentional Christian grandparent, I will do more. 

I will pass on my faith, but my vision is beyond that. I will perpetuate my faith, therefore; I will teach two generations. But, I will not only teach two generations, I will think four generations.

I will ponder what kind of grandparent must I be, so my grandchild becomes one like me, then his carries on the legacy.  Yes, I am an intentional Christian grandparent. 

Culture says, "Retire and go play." I say; "No thanks. I'll pray!"

Culture says; "Pursue affluence." I say; "I'll pursue influence."

Culture says; "You're old, you did your time." I say; "Not so! I'm in my prime."

Culture says about the young generation; "You can't relate." I say; "Ain't true. My influence is great!"

I know my grandchildren need me, but from me they need Godly wisdom, my Christ-like example, my faith stories, my earnest prayers, my uninterrupted time, my unconditional love and my God-authorized blessing.

So, what is intentional Christian grandparenting? Let me spell it out for you.

I will Guide grandkids with grace.

I will Respect parent roles.

I will Abound in my affection.

I will Nurture their nature.

I will Deal with the dilemma of distance.

I will Pray with passion and purpose.

I will Adjust my attitude, in case

I need to Restore relationships.

I will Excel in my example.

I will Number my days.

I will Tell them my testimony.

I will Intentionally influence.

I will Never neglect the newest generation.

And, most importantly,

I will Give them the Gospel!

Because I am an Intentional Christian Grandparent and this is my declaration!