A Portrait of a Grandparent

There was a time when the word “grandparent” evoked images of rocking chairs, gray hair, wrinkles, and big meals. However, things have changed. Recent data indicates about one-third of all adults are grandparents, and their average age is 64, and the average age for becoming a grandparent is around 47.

Now, not only has our image of a grandparent become fuzzy, so has the grandparent’s understanding of their role. Messages aimed at a [population with money to spend and time to spare), scream, “Indulge yourself. You’ve earned it, live independently.

God is the Creator and Designer of all. Grandparenting is His idea. He created it, and His Word has much to say about it. Within the pages of the Bible, God defines the role of grandparent and describes how to carry it out. It is here where we find the answers to our confusion and learn what God has to say about grandparenting.

If you want to understand God’s design and yearn to grandparent with a purpose for the glory of God. I invite you to join me in exploring what His Word has to say about the biblical portrait of a goodly grandparent.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his child’s children,  . . . (Proverbs 13:22).

That you may fear the Lord God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long (Deuteronomy 6:2).

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts (Psalm 145:3-4).

Be careful to obey all these words that I command you that is may go well with you and with your children after you forever when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 12:28).

There are many more verses, but I hope these will give you an idea of a biblical design for a grandparent. And how to live out God’s design.

I am praying that God will do a mighty work in the lives of grandchildren all over the world through grandparents committed to His biblical design. I am also praying you will fulfill your assigned role with purpose and pray intentionally for your grandchildren and their parents.

I have used exerts of my friend, Deborah Haddix ‘s book, Biblical Portrait of Grandparenting, Discovering and Living Out God’s Design of our Role. It is available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Portrait-Grandparenthood-Discovering-Living-ebook/dp/B07NP7984P/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=deborah+haddix&qid=1590960666&sr=8-8     In fact, the Kindle book is free.

I have developed “Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren” that many grandparents have found helpful to pray Scripture for their grandchildren. Just by joining the mailing list on the right side of this page, you will receive the blogs about grandparenting and suggestions to pray for your grandchildren.  I will email you a free downloadable copy of Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren” you can print.    

By Lillian Penner, Author of Grandparenting with a Purpose,www.grandparentingwithapurpose.compennerlp@gmail.com