Did you know first time grandparents are not considered seniors but middle-aged, with middle age “generally defined as being between the ages of 40 and 60?” [1]
Did you know one third of the adult population are grandparents? [2]
Did you know grandparents have an average of five to six grandchildren? [3]
Throughout Scripture we see how God commands each generation to pass theirfaith and their faith experiences to the next generations. Today’s culture does not value this. It speaks loudly about what this final third of our lives should look like. We hear sound bites like:
“You earned it.”
“Be selfish.”
“Focus on you.”
Did you know, grandparents are second only to parents in terms of a child’s emotional and spiritual development? Grandparents are a powerful spiritual force. Many of our biblical heroes of the faith were challenged to do great things for God in their old age. None were retired. Scripture illustrates how Abraham, Moses, and Anna the prophetess,
were called by God for specific purposes. Abraham was called by God when he was 75 (Genesis 12:4) to go to the promised land. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing’”(Genesis 12:1-2). At the age of 80 (Exodus 7:7), Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3: 10). Anna, an elderly widow, at 84, was used by the Lord to proclaim baby Jesus as the promised Messiah. Luke 2:38 says, “She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
The enemy knows the Lord chooses to use the older generation to impact and influence faith in the younger generations. Satan cannot stop Chrisitan grandparents from loving Jesus, but he can scheme to keep us busy with endeavors which move us away from our divine calling.
Today’s grandparents are bombarded with the cultural attitude that retirement is meant to consist of leisure and self-indulgence. Leisure and self-focus lead to distraction from our God directed greater purpose. Well-intended grandparents become redirected to other less critical endeavors and never fully participate in their grandkids’ faith development.
Of course, nothing is wrong with travelling and participating in enjoyable things. But as believers we want to be careful it does not take top priority. If asked, most Christian grandmoms and granddads would say it is important to pass along the torch of faith to their grandkids.
Grandparents are instructed by God to be an important part of encouraging and developing faith in their grandchildren. We just need to be willing.
“Here I am,” is the response Abraham, (Gensis 22:1), Jacob age 77 (Genesis 31:11, 46:2) and Moses (Exodus 3:4) gave as the Lord called them. Will you say, “Here I am” to God’s call? Will you be available to be used by God to impact your grandkids in an eternal way?
Let’s be willing and ready like Abraham, Moses (to be fair, Moses was a bit hesitant at first), and Anna to follow the call God has for us? In Grandparents Make Grandparents, this challenge is presented. We can be used by God to partner with our adult children to make an eternal impact on our grandkids’ lives.
Fellow G-Mas and G-Pas, GiGis and Poppys, ViVis and Bumpas, Gammys and Gampys, Mimis and Pappas, we have a bigger purpose than spoiling our grands. We have influence, great influence. God calls us to step up. Our relationship with our grandkids matters eternally. The Lord wants us to partner with Him. He beckons us, He commands us, to be a part of our grandchildren’s spiritual formation and pass the baton of Christian faith. Scripture confirms this in Deuteronomy 4:9, ‘Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.’[1]
“We can be a vital and integral source of support for our adult children’s role as parents and for our grandkids’ social and emotional development, mental health, and spiritual growth. Let’s commit to being willing and available so our great God will use us to intentionally draw our grandkids to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.” [2] Aside from the distraction of enjoyable endeavors, perhaps another reason why some Christian Nannies and Poppies don’t participate in the development of their grandchild’s faith is attributed to feeling ill-equipped. (If you feel like this, you are in good company because Moses initially felt like that too. Yet look what God did despite Moses’ uncertainty) You might ask, how can we be intentional Chrisitan grandparents? How can we avoid Satan’s shiny snares and the culture’s messaging? We pray. We pray for discerning eyes, a heart and mind focused on God’s will and way, and we partner with our adult children to bring their children, our grandchildren, to the Lord.
Grandparents, we are a third of the population, we have an average of five to six grandkids, and we are second only to parents in terms of our impact on our grandchildren’s faith and morality. Think of the impact, the eternal impact we could have!
So, let’s armor up, keep our eyes fixed on the eternal prize, and engage in the battle for the souls of our grandkids by grandparenting with intentionality. Purpose built on God’s Word is the most powerful weapon against the enemy’s schemes. Grandparents, we are a powerful spiritual force.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:17–18
If you feel inspired and motivated to be more intentional with your grandparenting yet are unsure how to move forward, please pick up a copy of Grandparents Make Grand Partners: How to Have an Eternal Impact on Your Grandchild’s Life. This book is chock full of practical ideas for you to begin or to continue having a faith-filled influence in your grandchild’s life.
[1] Lori Wildenberg, Grandparents Make Grand Partners: How to Have an Eternal Impact on Your Grandchild’s Life (Nashville: D6 Family Ministries, 2025)
[2] Ibid.
[1]“Study: Middle Age Across America,” Mixbook, May 23, 2023, https://www.mixbook.com/inspiration/study-middle-age-across-america, (accessed January 15,2025).
[2] “Fast Facts on Grandparenting & Intergenerational Mentoring,” Legacy Project.Org, https://www.legacyproject.org/specialreports/fastfacts.html (accessed June 14, 2024).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
