When I first became a grandparent nine years ago, people would ask, “How do you like being a grandma?” My answer typically was something like, “It’s great! All of the benefits of having children without the responsibilities.” I quickly came to realize that that was a really careless, thoughtless answer. Why? Because God has given grandparents a huge and glorious responsibility—one that is also an awesome privilege…
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation [my grandchildren]
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments; (Psalm 78:2-7, ESV)
As a grandparent, I have a great responsibility to my own grandchildren, and to the next generation. I am to proclaim to them the glorious deeds of the LORD and the wonders He has done. They are to hear the good news of the gospel from my lips and see the gospel lived out in my life. That is my calling, no matter how old I get! Whether reading Bible stories to my grandchildren, praying with and for them, teaching in Sunday school, volunteering in the nursery, being a mentor to a teen…the list of possibilities goes on and on. One grandma I know of is doing devotions with her overseas grandchildren via the internet using Glorious God, Glorious Gospel.
Grandparents, here are some resources that you may find helpful in your Psalm 78 grandparenting:
- “Foundations for God-centered Children's Ministry” (4-part video series and a great primer for grandparents)
- The Family Devotions Collection (books also available for individual sale)
- Big, Bold, Biblical Prayers for the Next Generation (prayer guide)
- The Christian Grandparenting Network (a wonderful ministry “devoted to challenging those in mid-life and beyond to finish the race well as conduits of God’s grace and truth so that future generations will know, love and serve Christ.”)
