This is certainly not earth-shattering news that you are just hearing for the first time. However, I need to share something very important with you today –
we live in a culture full of untruth!
Clearly, this fuels our concern for our grandchildren. Constantly assaulted by lies on every front, we see what they are facing and fear the outcome. Do they have the strength to stand?
We pray! And our prayers echo our fears. We remind God (as if He doesn’t know)! And we plea for protection.
As we pray for our grandchildren and pour into their lives the best we are able, we must not forget that we are not immune. We live in the same culture, face the same dangers, and are attacked by the same enemy. The lies surround us as well. The attacker does not discriminate!
Grandparents, we must be on guard against these lies – praying at all times and filling our minds with the Truth of God’s Word.
4 Fundamental Truths
1. GRANDPARENTING IS GOD’S DESIGN
For by him all things were created,
Colossians 1:16
in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—
all things were created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:16 tells us “all things” were created by God. And we know that everything God creates, including grandparenting, He creates for a reason. This is a fundamental truth. One that requires a settled conviction.
God created grandparents to play a crucial role in the spiritual development of grandchildren by linking arms with parents. Sharing burdens, helping carry the weight of child-rearing, and providing influence in multiple ways, grandparents are a gift to families from a loving God.
2. GRANDPARENTS MATTER
In #1 above, we saw that grandparenting was designed by God. It matters to Him. This simple truth leads us to two basic conclusions.
- If grandparenting matters to God, it should matter to us.
- If grandparenting matters to God, grandparents matter to Him.
Rather than embracing this fundamental truth, many grandparents believe the myth that they are unneeded, unwanted, and of little value to their families. Because of this, they underestimate and undervalue their influence.
Grandparent, grasp firmly the truth regarding your value. You offer long-term relationships, wisdom, a good name, and joy in Jesus to those in your family. Additionally, you provide a powerful example of Christlike character, strength, and stability through the life you live. And you are the artery that carries the Gospel to the future generations of your family.
You matter. You have incredible value. The world cannot offer to your grandchildren all that you are able.
3. GRANDPARENTING MUST BE GOD-CENTERED
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
Psalm 145:3-4
and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
Repeatedly, the Bible teaches that grandparenting is to be God-centered. Nowhere do we read that we are to spend our days sugaring up our grandchildren. Neither are we taught to spoil them with all the things of this world or indulge them with no restraint. No, our grandparenting is to be focused on God.
We are to grandparent in a way that helps our grandchildren grow in love for God and for others. It should be obvious to them, that the most important thing in the world to us is God.
4. GRANDPARENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TASK
Every member of a family is given a clear, God-ordained role that is not interchangeable with other members of the family. The husband is the spiritual leader of the family (Ephesians 5:23). The wife is the helper (Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22). And the children are to honor their parents through obedience (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1).
The role of the grandparents is that of disciple maker. Their task is that of building a legacy in Christ, one that will outlive them (Proverbs 13:22). We have, therefore, been commissioned by God to pass on to future generations the spiritual heritage we ourselves have received.
These truths – Grandparenting is God’s Design, Grandparents Matter, Grandparenting MUST be God-centered, and Grandparents Have Been Given a Task – are the beginning of a solid foundation for Christian grandparenting.
Soak in them, grasp them firmly – for they will help you stand against the lies, reject the cultural messages about grandparenting, develop a strong relationship with Christ, and build a legacy of faith to pass on to future generations.
