by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
Grandparents are among the most underused and under-appreciated resources within the
church. All too often they are relegated to the sidelines, or expected to conform to the common
myth that their work is done, and now they can just “coast.” Nothing could be further from the
truth.
One of the secrets of vibrant and growing congregations is that they have unlocked and put
to use the immense power of grandparents. Not only in senior ministries designed to strengthen
and encourage (and sometimes entertain) the grandparents themselves, but in intentional programs,
utilizing the tremendous power and influence of ground parents over young people.
Not surprisingly, the Scriptures contain a number of principles which apply to grandparents,
and their role in the church. Consider a few examples:
- Grandparents are some of the best teachers. God has always recognized and
emphasized the importance of continually teaching and reinforcing his word to each succeeding
generation. The Israelites were exhorted: “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently,
lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of
thy life; but make them known unto thy children and thy children’s children,” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
God knows it’s not enough to teach our children. We must teach our “children’s children” as well.
Grandparents must foster and utilize that special relationship with their grandchildren, so that they
may effectively teach them God’s way. - Grandparents are influential role models. Grandparents are not infrequently identified
by children as the most influential people in their lives, nearly as influential as their own parents.
Many youth ministers have grudgingly learned that they have far less influence in the lives of
young people than parents and grandparents. Grandparents have lived long lives, and have
experienced so much. They have had opportunity to see the wonders and majesty of God. They
have a special and unique privilege of conducting themselves, consistent with what they have
learned, and thereby influencing generations to come. “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth;
And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O
God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to
every one that is to come,” (Psalms 71:17-18). Notice that God’s people don’t retire or “coast,”
but continue to influence “every one that is to come.” - Grandparents set an appropriate tone, and a high bar for the faithfulness of their
grandchildren. When the apostle Paul thought of his faithful trainee, Timothy, he did not only
remember Timothy. “Having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first
in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also,” (2 Timothy
1:3). A faithful grandparent blaze is a path of faithfulness, and this makes it more difficult for a
grandchild to go astray. The grandparent sets the standard, and creates a commendable image in
the mind of those who will later come to know the grandchildren. They already know something
of the grandchildren, because they know the grandparents.
Too often, these important spiritual roles of grandparents are minimized. Grandparents are
often expected to be self-indulgent. It is thought that, now retired, they are to travel, vacation and
spend money on themselves. They are expected to “spoil” the grandchildren and then send them
home to mom and dad. But this is not God’s plan at all. It is a great privilege to be a grandparent –
but with great privileges come great responsibilities.
Some parents never get to be grandparents. Perhaps their child or children have no children
of their own. Or, tragically, sometimes grandchildren are taken away. But if you have
grandchildren in your life, you need to recognize what a rich blessing this is, and make full use of
it. Use the lessons you have learned in raising your own children. Practice the wisdom you have
accumulated over many years of living. Pass along the secrets and treasures of your experience
and knowledge. Make your grandchildren better people because they have you as a grandparent!
