Being a parent is an awesome responsibility like no other. It is important to be a good role model, mentor, teacher and spiritual leader. But have you ever considered, what role a grandparent can play in leading their grandchildren to Christ?
The first thing you need to do is get down on your knees and pray. Ask God to provide you with opportunities to share the gospel with them. As the Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 4:9; “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.”
After prayer, one of the surest ways to get your grandchildren interested in the gospel is to begin living it out yourself. This means more than simply going to church. It means modeling the character of Christ through your love, encouragement, and wisdom. If you live out your faith in the power of the Spirit, over time, your grandchildren will come to see that something is different about your life. And you can count on their inquisitive young minds to begin asking what it is.
Lastly, don’t be shy about your Christian faith, but don’t be pushy about it either. Look for opportunities to draw conversations with your grandchildren back to God. For example, if you’re out on a nature hike with your grandkids, use the splendor of creation to direct their attention back to the One who made it all God. Children are looking for this sort of spiritual guidance, so don’t be afraid to give it to them.
Remember, the Bible tells us 1 Timothy 5:8; “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
As parents and Grandparents, we have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to be spiritual leaders in our households and share the gospel message, the good news of faith that’s found in our personal relationship with the Lord. What an awesome gift to impart on any child’s life...