Grandparents have been given a God-ordained role in the church and home that is not interchangeable with any other member’s role. Their responsibility? To pass a heritage of faith to future generations.
For ideas and inspiration on being intentional about passing a heritage of faith to future generations, continue reading below:
Nourish Your Soul
“Keep your soul diligently.”
Deuteronomy 4:9
#1 – Establish a regular time for reading and studying the Bible.
- Each time you read, ask yourself, “What does this passage teach me about God?”
#2 – Pray.
- Converse daily with God. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to all that He is. (Ephesians 1:18)
#3 – Set personal guidelines for how you spend your time.
#4 – Practice Gratitude.
- Glorify your Heavenly Father by offering thanks. Create a list, write out a prayer, sing songs of thanksgiving, offer benedictions.
Prepare
Ready yourself for your God-ordained role.
#5 – Ask God what it is that He wants to do and give through you as a grandparent.
#6 – Spend time in intentional, personal prayer.
- No matter how great our desire, we cannot pour out our heart in prayer for our grandchildren if there is nothing in it to be poured.
- REMEMBER: It is impossible to give what we ourselves do not have.
#7 – Spend time in God’s Word.
- It’s in the pages of God’s Word that we learn what He wants us to do and give. It’s here where we become versed in God’s design and grow to know Him better. Fill your heart with His words. Commit your life to being a wisdom hunter in the pages of Scripture.
#8 – Self-Evaluate, regularly.
- Self-evaluation is not an easy task. It is, in fact, a very difficult, humbling, and often times painful experience. However, it is here in the middle of the hard that we are drawn closer to God and learn to live our lives by His design. (Psalm 139:23-24)
#9 – Grandparent on purpose.
#10 – Be intentional.
#11 – Take God seriously.
- Be always conscious of His presence. (Psalm 128:1-2)
#12 – Allow God to work IN you so He can work THROUGH you. (1 Corinthians 1:11)
Connect
Build strong relationships with your grandchildren through frequent and intentional connection.
#13 – Follow through.
- On your commitment to biblical grandparenting.
- On commitments you make to your grandchild.
#14 – Earn the right to be turned to and trusted.
- As difficult as it may be, learn to zip your lips, pray like mad, and listen – truly listen. (Philippians 2:3-4)
#15 – Ask “Dialogue” Questions.
- Anyone can ask “yes” or “no” questions, but the answers don’t lead anywhere.
- Get to know your grandchildren and build deeper relationships with them through the use of great “dialogue” questions.
#16 – Curl up with your grandchild and read.
- There are so many benefits to reading with your grandchild.
- Long-distance grandparent? Don’t let distance be an excuse. If you can’t physically curl up with your grandchild and read, use Facetime or something similar to read together.
#17 – STOP, whatever you are doing and LISTEN!
- Turn off the television, put down the cell phone, and make eye contact whenever your grandchild wants to talk to you.
#18 – PLAY…
- Go on a quest. Unearth things you and your grandchildren will enjoy doing TOGETHER. Things such as board games, hiking, fishing, camping, playing sports, biking, reading, and watching movies provide a quality time of fun while uniting you with your grandchildren and creating memories that they will never forget.
#19 – Smile.
- Our grandchildren need our smiles.
#20 – Make eye contact with your grandchildren when communicating with them.
#21 – Do a project with your grandchild.
- Help with a school project.
- Build a birdhouse or feeder.
- Collect postcards from all 50 states.
- Create a scrapbook.
- Bible journal your favorite passages.
#22 – Get silly.
- It’s rather difficult to build a relationship with an old stick-in-the-mud. Have FUN with your grandkids.
#23 – Try new things and activities with your grandchild.
- Adventure, risk, & have fun – TOGETHER!
#24 – Attend your grandchildren’s important events and activities whenever possible.
#25 – Make your grandchild’s favorite dinner for no reason at all.
- If they live too far away for that, make arrangements for your grandchild to enjoy dinner at their favorite restaurant or fast-food joint.
#26 – What are your grandchild’s dreams? Do you know?
- If not, ask. Then encourage them to go after those dreams.
#27 – Let your grandchild vent.
- No advice giving.
- No preaching.
- No taking sides.
#28 – Cultivate the art of listening.
#29 – Learn to ask great questions.
- HINT: Great questions aren’t answered with a “yes” or a “no.”
#30 – Write an old-fashioned letter to your grandchild and put it in the mail.
#31 – Be intentional about some one-on-one time with your grandchild.
- Plan a date, go for a visit, or make a phone call to your grandchild this week.
#32 – Introduce your grandchildren to something new.
- Share one of your favorite hobbies with them.
#33 – Embrace the small moments of life that you spend with your grandchild:
- Swinging at the park.
- Swimming in the pool.
- Walking the dog.
- Catching fireflies.
- Riding in the car.
Gather and Influence
According to a Barna Survey, in the life of a grandchild, a grandparent’s influence is second only to that of a parent’s. All others are a distant third.
#34 – Grandparent with grace.
- Treat your grandchildren the way God treats you.
- No yelling.
- No belittling.
- No comparing.
#35 – Offer sincere compliments, often.
- Compliment your grandchild’s character, contributions to the family, and effort.
- Use qualifiers to let them know they are your favorite: “You are my favorite five-year-old boy.” “You are my favorite eleven-year-old girl.”
#36 – Say, “I love you,” often.
#37 – Spend some one-on-one time with each grandchild.
#38 – Set a reoccurring time to gather with your grandchildren.
- It’s also a great idea to include the parents of your grandchildren in some of these reoccurring gatherings.
#39 – Looking for opportunities to connect?
- Gather your grandchildren/family together around the dinner table for a meal.
#40 – Institute a “no media devices permitted at the table” policy. Then enjoy!
- Mealtimes are a wonderful time to talk, plan, rest, eat, work, and clean up TOGETHER.
#41 – Study your grandchildren.
- What are their favorite snacks, drinks, meals? Keep those favorites on hand!
#42 – Learn your grandchild’s love language and love them accordingly.
- Don’t just say the words – put your love into action.
#43 – Read the Bible together.
Here are a couple of resource ideas for younger grandchildren:
- The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Kevin DeYoung
#44 – Memorize scripture with your grandchildren.
#45 – Keep an ongoing journal with your grandchild.
- In it, record things you are each thankful for.
#46 – Share your favorite Bible verses or passages with your grandchild.
- Be sure to also explain why these Scriptures are special to you.
#47 – Talk about your relationship with God.
#48 – Write thank you notes with your grandchildren and then mail the notes.
#49 – Go for a hike, star gaze, or cloud gaze.
- Use the shared time together to talk about God’s creation.
#50 – Encourage a life of excellence.
- Teach your grandchildren to do their best and never to settle for mediocrity.
#51 – Promote healthy eating and physical fitness.
#52 – Be authentic.
- The youth of today are looking for older people they can trust.
- “Show” your grandchildren by your life. (Psalm 71:17-18)
#53 – Tell the truth.
#54 – Apologize when you mess up.
#55 – Tell your story.
- When did you first hear about the Lord?
- How did you come to enter into a personal relationship with Him.
- How has He been working in your life?
- Tell about the times you struggled with the Lord. Share about the times He worked mightily in your life. Share the victories.
#56 – Gather your family around the table for holiday meals.
- Find ways to use this opportunity to share your faith, your God-stories.
#57 – Schedule and plan family gatherings: meals, holidays, vacations.
#58 – Looking directly into their eyes, speak words of encouragement and affirmation over your grandchildren.
#59 – Identify one of your grandchild’s strengths or giftings.
- Then speak into your grandchild’s life by sharing ways that God can use this specific strength or gifting for His glory in the future.
#60 – Write a love letter to your grandchild.
#61 – Give hugs, lots of hugs.
- Hugs symbolize love, reassurance, happiness, and protection.
- Think your grandchild is too old for hugs?
- Try saying, “I need a hug.” See what happens!
#62 – Avoid teaching from a list of dos and don’ts.
- Instead, focus your teaching on your grandchild’s heart where true and lasting transformation occurs.
#63 – Help your grandchildren understand gratitude by teaching them WHY to say, “Thank you,” in addition to WHEN to say it.
#64 – Encourage your teen grandchild to embrace gratitude by pointing out sacrifices that others have made for them.
#65 – each your grandchild the gospel (the saving work of God in and through Christ).
- Do they have a clear understanding of it?
- Are they able to explain it in a few brief words?
- Can they proclaim it with confidence?
#66 – Give your grandchild a Bible.
- Personalize it by underlining or highlighting passages that have deep and personal meaning to you and writing notes about the passages in the margins. Also include notes of encouragement and affirmation you have written just for your grandchild.
#67 – Teach your grandchildren to study the Bible text.
#68 – Give your grandchild the gift of Bible study tools.
- Bible dictionaries, commentaries, atlases. Etc.
- And don’t forget a good standard English dictionary and a thesaurus.
#69 – Spend time with your grandchild Praying in Color for another family member.
- Learn more at Praying in Color or Praying in Color for Our Grandchildren.
#70 – Teach your grandchild to appreciate learning and the importance of a quality education.
#71 – Brag on God to your grandchild.
- Commend His works, declare His mighty acts, speak of the wonder and might of His awesome deeds, declare His greatness, pour forth His fame (Psalm 145:4-12).
#72 – Keep a catechism in your home and use it with your grandchildren.
- A catechism is a systematic approach to teaching biblical truth through questions and answers.
#73 – Teach your grandchildren important money lessons such as budgeting and spending wisely.
#74 – Whenever possible, attend church with your grandchild.
#75 – Involve your grandchild in helping you prepare and deliver meals to others.
#76 – Demonstrate a consistent concern for and compassion toward unsaved people.
#77 – Teach your grandchildren how to strive.
- Modeling is not about perfection but about striving with the Lord. Be open. Be honest.
#78 – Live a life of integrity.
#79 – Be a model of positive attitude for your grandchild.
- Don’t live with an attitude of “I have to” but “I get to!”
#80 – Model maturity through the example of your own life and encourage your grandchildren to imitate you (Philippians 4:9).
#81 – Watch for opportunities in everyday moments and conversations to speak truth and give God glory.
#82 – Tell your grandchild about a time when God provided for you.
#83 – Tell your grandchild about how you became a Christian.
Observe Traditions
Tradition is the practice of handing down stories, beliefs, and customs from one generation to another in order to establish and reinforce a strong sense of identity.
#84 – Create family traditions.
#85 – Build warm memories.
#86 – Be intentional and do things to imprint your grandchildren’s hearts. What are some simple things you can do with consistent regularity that pass the faith and model godly character?
#87 – Take lots and lots of pictures.
#88 – Share one of your favorite family memories with your grandchild.
#89 – Celebrate special days and moments of accomplishment.
- Use a special plate at mealtime, pass a traveling trophy or memento from family member to family member, institute a celebratory ceremony, or create some other “unique-to-your-family observance.”
#90 – Celebrate your grandchild’s transition into adulthood.
- Work with your adult children to plan a rite of passage ceremony that brings the whole family together to celebrate this transition. Make it a big deal, but make sure your grandchild has been properly prepared to accept the responsibilities of adulthood.
#91 – Customize a blessing for your grandchild.
- Each time they leave your presence, declare that blessing over them.
#92 – This year at Christmas, recreate one of your favorite childhood traditions and share it with your family/grandchildren.
Prayer
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
James 5:16b (KJV)
#93 – Commit to pray for your grandchild.
- Write out your commitment.
- Sign it.
- Post it in a highly visible location.
#94 – Schedule your prayer time!
- Get it on your calendar or set your phone alarm as a reminder.
#95 – Tell your grandchildren that you are praying for them!
- Straight up, no matter their age. Face-to-face, over the phone, through an email message, or via text. Just tell them.
#96 – Set up some personal accountability.
- Share your commitment to praying for your grandchildren with another adult (and give them permission to hold you accountable) or gather a group of friends together and form a “grandparent” prayer group.
#97 – Ask for your grandchild’s prayer requests.
- Whether face-to-face or via some form of technology, ask! And if your grandchildren are too young to share their requests with you, simply ask their parents.
#98 – Pray for your grandchild.
- Then put a card in the mail telling them that you did so. Yes, old-fashioned snail mail! Children (of all ages) love receiving mail.
- BONUS: Your grandchild receives a hand-written note they can read again and again.
#99 – Do you keep a prayer journal?
- Share it with your grandchildren.
- Nothing lights a child (of any age) up like “seeing” their name and their needs in your journal.
#100 – Consider giving your grandchild an age-appropriate physical reminder of your prayers.
- Perhaps a stuffed animal, necklace, Bible, their own prayer journal, or a wristband. Be sure they know why they are receiving this item. Make it a special time for the two of you.
#101 – Pray with your grandchild.
- Let them hear your voice pleading for them – an intimate reminder of your love and your constant prayers.
#102 – When you talk to your grandchildren on the phone, via social media, or in person, be present to them.
- Listen intently. Then grab a pad and pencil and make note of things you heard; things you can pray for and follow up on later.
#103 – Pray Scripture for your grandchildren.
- Numbers 6:22-27
- Ephesians 1:15-23
- Ephesians 3:14-21
- Philippians 1:9-11
- Colossians 1:9-12
- Psalm 91
- Psalm 139
- The Book of Proverbs