Many grandparents naturally long to pass our faith on to our grandchildren, to see them experience God’s transformational love in their own hearts and to help them experience the freedom and new life in Christ. As eager as you may be, it’s important to recognize that everyone has limits. Although grandparents often have significant influence in the lives of their grandchildren, they are not able to save them on our own – that is the work of the Holy Spirit! Rather, you can act as a gentle guide by helping connect their values and interests with the truths of the Gospel.
For example, my wise father-in-law noticed that his twin grandsons had a natural love for working with their hands. Seizing the opportunity, he began sharing the beautiful truth of how Jesus, a master carpenter, used his own hands to build and create. By asking the boys what it might have been like for Jesus to first learn how to cut wood or assemble a table, he helped them form a deeper connection to Christ. This simple yet powerful method not only encouraged their questions but also formed a personal connection between the children and their Savior. Always encourage grandchildren to ask questions, praise their curiosity, and make yourself available to engage with them about spiritual things.
To sum it all up, a grandparent’s role is to foster a loving environment where faith can grow. You can influence your grandchildren’s understanding by linking their everyday interests with the profound realities of Scripture. Using conversations and actions to gently point grandchildren to Christ is a reminder that your responsibility isn’t to save your grandchildren but to be a living testimony of God’s work in our lives. As you encourage them to explore and develop a relationship with God, you can help build a foundation that can support them through every season of life.
Chew on This: What is one thing your grandchildren are interested in? How can you help them connect that interest to Christ?
