GRANDPARENTS………Leaving a Legacy of Faith
“…..Teach what you have seen and heard to your children AND grandchildren.’ Deuteronomy 4:9b (MSG)
Little did I realize as a young child that my precious grandparents were living out what the Bible reveals about the importance of the generation-to-generation pattern of leaving a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ. That legacy would outlive them through their children, grandchildren, and the generations to follow. Psalms 78: 5-6 (ESV) tells us, “He (God) commanded our forefathers 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.”
My grandparents always had time for me and my sister and brother, playing with us, encouraging us, and telling us of God’s great love for us. Even when my grandparents were in their 90’s, they would always tell me to sit down on the sofa and ask me how they could pray for me. Then my grandpa would take my hand and pray for me. Chuck, on the other hand, had little experience with the vital role of Christian grandparents in his life. He only had one living grandparent who lived hundreds of miles away from him. He saw her very little throughout his childhood. As a couple, we understand the impact of the two extremes when it comes to the influence of grandparents passing on their faith to their grandchildren.
We attended the Legacy Grandparenting Summit in November of 2016. God used this experience in our lives to help us see what an enormous impact grandparents have on their grandchildren. Two questions the conference leaders posed to attendees were:
- Do you have an example of a godly grandparent?
- How do you know or learn to become a godly grandparent?”
Being a biblically based grandparent is so much more than the world’s view of spoiling your grandchildren, feeding them sugar, and sending them home.
Research shows that grandparents have a large influence on the faith of their grandchildren, second only to parents. Grandparents have also been given a God-ordained role in the Bible. “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 (NKJV).
Believe it or not, the average age a person becomes a grandparent is age 47. That gives us many years to be able to influence our grandchildren. There are 30 million professing Christian grandparents in America. What a huge potential to impact the lives of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Just imagine the impact the grandparents of FBCW could have if we lived out our biblical mandate concerning our place and purpose in the family.
The purpose of beginning a Grandparenting Ministry at FBCW is to equip grandparents to use their influence to pass their Christin faith on to future generations. We are asking that the grandparents of FBCW prayerfully ask God if you should be a part of this vision to leave a legacy of faith for your grandchildren and future generations by becoming involved in the grandparenting ministry.
We will begin with small group grandparenting study groups in the spring and summer and hold a day-long grandparenting conference in the fall. As grandparents, could you benefit from a greater vision of your role as a godly grandparent and benefit from having more grandparenting tools at your disposal? We are excited about what can be accomplished when Christian grandparents are encouraged and equipped to be intentional about the spiritual growth of our grandchildren.
Group study topics will include, but not limited to:
- What is the Biblical role of a grandparent
- How to pass faith to future generations
- Loving grandkids in scary times
- Never too late: Encouraging faith in your adult children
- Grandparenting through a child’s divorce
- The art of single grandparenting
- Passing on a Heritage of Faith with enthusiasm and joy
- How to pray and read the Bible with your grandchildren
- Unleashing the power of a spoken blessing
- Activities to engage your grandkids while sharing your faith
Grandparents Prayer: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18 (NIV)