Churches, Help Grandparents Leave a Positive Legacy

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One of the best ways churches can do their part to help the next generation learn about God is to equip parents to bring up their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). But, let’s not end there. Let’s also equip grandparents in their role. Churches can help grandparents leave a positive legacy.

Churches Help Grandparents Leave a Positive Legacy on the Next Generation

Churches, Help Grandparents Leave a Positive Legacy by Strategically Planning to Equip and Encourage Them

When we consider the potential influence of grandparents on their grandchildren now and for their future, certainly as a church we should do what we can to help grandparents positively impact their grandchildren’s lives. Use the following questions to assess what you’re currently doing to equip grandparents in their role. Determine what more you can do to strategically plan for it to happen.

  • In what ways does your church intentionally build up, equip, and encourage grandparents to leave a positive legacy? (i.e., classes, special speakers, reading material, support groups, etc.)
  • What kind of structures have you put in place that provide opportunity for the younger generation to learn from grandparents? (i.e., giving opportunity for them to share in the worship service, pulling on their wisdom through teaching and mentoring of the younger generation, interviewing them, including their stories in newsletters or blogs, etc.)
  • How does you church honor grandparents in special ways throughout the year, not just on one special day? (i.e., verbal recognition, small gifts, praying for them, making a display to recognize them, a special luncheon, having grandchildren make a card or craft to give to them, asking grandchildren to testify to how God has used their grandparents in their lives, etc.)

Go to: Resources on Grandparenting

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Grandparents, Leave a Positive Legacy

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The United States sets aside the first Sunday after Labor Day to honor grandparents — Grandparent’s Day. I have very few memories of my own grandparents as they all passed on when I was very young but one thing I do remember is that they were people to be respected in a special way. And, though I didn’t directly benefit from their input into my life, I have been indirectly affected because of their influence on my parents . . . the legacy my grandparents passed on through my parents.

The Kind of Legacy Passed on Through Grandparenting

Scripture makes it clear that grandparents pass on a legacy that can have either a positive or negative effect for generations to come (Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:17). If you’re a grandparent, certainly you should want to be a blessing rather than a curse to your grandchildren. Certainly you should want them to honor you because of true appreciation and love for you, not because they’re told to be respectful.

Grandparents Leave a Positive LegacyPositive Legacy? – The legacy of grandparents can be for eternal good as seen in the example of Timothy whose mother and grandmother passed on their faith by rooting him in God’s Word (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-17).

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children … (Ps. 103:17)

Or, Negative Impact? – A grandparent’s legacy can also have a negative impact as the effects of an unbelieving or hardened heart and a life of sin can spill over in familial dysfunction for years to come.

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, … maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Ex. 34:6-7)

Questions for Grandparents Who Want to Leave a Positive Legacy for Their Grandchildren

Take some time to ask the following questions. Pray about and reflect on what you can do for it to become more of a reality in your life.

  • Are you nurturing your own soul, growing in your walk with the Lord, so you have something of eternal worth to pass on? (Deut. 4:9; 2 Tim. 1:5; Ps. 145:4)
  • Are you willing to invest into the lives of the younger generation in strategic ways, especially if you must do grandparenting from a distance?
  • Are you truly present when with your grandchildren, there in the moment, attentive to them, rather than preoccupied or distracted by other things?
  • Are you a godly role model for your grandchildren, consistently letting the Lord’s light shine through you in all you do?
  • Are you passing on godly wisdom learned from your life experiences but particularly that which is in alignment with God’s Word?
  • Are you a prayer warrior for your grandchildren?
  • Are you someone your children and grandchildren are pleased to honor, not just because a special day is set aside to celebrate grandparents, but because they are truly blessed through you?
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Bible Verses about Grandparents

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While there are Scripture verses pertaining to old age in Scripture that are often used for grandparents, this post will look at only those verses that directly suggest grandparenting. Some grandparents can be more in the middle-age range than in their senior years so the verses chosen apply to all grandparents.

Grandparents

Responsibility of Grandparents Toward Their Grandchildren:

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. (Deut. 4:9)

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. (Ps. 145:4)

Reward in Having Grandchildren:

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Prov. 17:6)

Role Grandparents can have in Spiritual Development of Grandchildren:

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (2 Tim. 1:5)

 Reach of Grandparents into Future Generations:

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation. (Ex. 34:6-7)

I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread. (Ps. 37:25)

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children (Ps. 103:17)

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Prov. 13:22)

Repayment of Grandchildren to Grandparents:

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. (1 Tim. 5:4)

For more:  Grandparents Day Ministry Resources

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