Do you believe God has a Design for grandparenting?

Just as David was chosen for his generation, God has positioned us, as grandparents for this generation with our personality and gifts for our families. We read in Acts 16:36 “ David served God’s purpose in his generation.”

Moses told the Israelites  “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 their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9) Today grandparents have the same design for their grandparenting role.

Asaph also gives us directions in Psalm 78:1-8.

“O my people, listen to my instructions.

Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known stories our ancestors handed down to us.

We will not hide these truths from our children, we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.

 For he issued his laws to Jacob;  he gave his instructions to Israel.

He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born—and they, in turn, will teach their own children.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. ” New Living Translation (NLT)

God’s design for grandparenting is two-fold.

• to teach HOPE in God
• OBEDIENCE.

Recently we’ve seen how our culture is collapsing. Misperception of gender attacks on religious liberty, and undermining God’s design for our children and grandchildren to blossom fill our headlines, and social media feeds.

God chose us for our specific children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We are not living in past generations or future generations. We are living in this generation with God’s purpose.

My husband and I were chosen for this generation, our sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren to love, cherish, pray for them and encourage them to follow Jesus. He has chosen you for your family.

Ask yourself what is God’s purpose for me in my grandparenting?

Lord, how do you want me to fulfill your purpose for my generation? In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I am making available the book “Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren.” The book will encourage you and give you suggestions to intentionally grandparent your grandchildren with a spiritual purpose. The book is available on this website for a reduced cost of $10.50 including shipping at this time. Many grandparents have told me how this book helped them to grandparent intentionally.

By Lillian Penner, Co-prayer director for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net