Questions are powerful! Ask a well-crafted question and you can open up a closed-mouthed child, build relationship, and explore the depths of your thoughts. Question-asking can also help you reflect, learn and move forward.
15 Powerful Questions Every Grandparent Needs to Ask
1. Do I have clarity on the purpose for my grandparenting?
Culture is full of powerful messages for grandparents. Messages that spotlight independence and self-indulgence. That is not, however, the message we get from the Bible. When we search its pages, we find that grandparents were created by God to play a crucial role in the spiritual development of their grandchildren.
2. Am I engaging in intentional soul care?
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—
Deuteronomy 4:9
3. Do my grandchildren see by my attitudes, words, and actions that Jesus is my greatest treasure?
4. Are my conversations with my grandchildren God-saturated?
5. Has my grandchild placed faith in Jesus?
6. Is my grandchild growing spiritually?
7. What troubles, trials, or temptations is my grandchild facing?
8. What do my grandchildren believe to be true? Is the Bible shaping their worldview?
Many, many children today, even those raised in Christian homes, do not know what the Bible teaches. Additionally, many are unable to explain or defend their faith. There is no question, our grandchildren are going to face strong opposition and competing belief systems. Am I helping my grandchildren base their beliefs, values, and assumptions on the Bible?
9. Does my grandparenting aim for behavior modification or heart transformation?
It’s so easy to haul out a list of do’s and don’ts when we are with our grandchildren. After all, we all want to be the grandparent of the well-behaved child. However, true and lasting change doesn’t come from behavior modification. It comes through a transformation of the heart. Am I, as a grandparent, aiming for the heart?
10. Am I grandparenting in a way that helps my grandchildren grow in their love for God and love for others?
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40
11. Do I engage in regular times of prayer for my grandchildren?
12. Do my grandchildren know my God-stories?
God-stories are to be retold. When you share your stories with your grandchildren, they hear of His work and learn of His nature. Your stories are for the purpose of glorifying God and pointing your grandchildren to Him.
13. What things am I doing to show my love and my care to my family members?
14. How much time and energy am I devoting to my adult children? To my grandchildren?
[T]hat you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.
Deuteronomy 6:2
Grandparents have been given a dual role. One that focuses on both children and grandchildren.
15. Am I helping my grandchildren get to know God?
3 comments
ordinarilyextraordinarymom
Grandparents have such a huge impact on the lives of their children and grandchildren. These questions are a great way to keep focus on God.
Michele Morin
I love this! Thank you for adding your voice to the voice in my head that says, “Don’t waste this opportunity! Don’t waste this influence!”
Deborah
Michele, Sometimes that voice in my head needs another voice to come along and say, “Just stop that!” Other times, it can use another voice to simply offer bits of encouragement. Thanks for being an “encouraging” voice today!