Bible verses about grandparents' love: How to be an 'intentional grandparent'
Bible verses about grandparents’ love are veritable treasures. Image: Christian Bowen|Unsplash
Bible verses about grandparents’ love are spiritual treasures for the whole family. As the eldest members of the family, grandparents carry the love that God abounds and flows to every household member.
Grandparents play an essential role in the lives of Christian families.
They offer the grandchildren love, support, guidance and help pass on the Christian faith and family traditions. Their influence can impact their grandchildren’s lives and shape the family’s legacy for generations to come.
The importance of ‘intentional grandparenting’
Intentional grandparenting refers to the deliberate and purposeful effort by grandparents to participate in the lives of their grandchildren actively. This posture can include spending time with them, providing guidance and support, sharing experiences and wisdom, creating memories, and being involved in their education and upbringing.
Billy Graham said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”
It involves a commitment to building a solid and meaningful relationship with grandchildren and positively impacting their lives. Intentional grandparenting recognizes the vital role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren and seeks to enhance and strengthen that relationship through deliberate actions.
Bible verses about grandparents’ love: Intentional grandparenting
Here are some Bible verses about grandparents’ love you should reflect on relevant to your intentional grandparenting journey:
Beacon of love
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” – Psalm 103:17
We first witnessed God’s abounding love in our parents. But in our later years, we see that this particular love has also flowed from the souls of our grandparents—and theirs from God Himself. When we have the love that our grandparents smother on us, we see God at work.
Pillar of Faith
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” – 2 Timothy 1:5
Grandparents are survivors of the battles of life. Because of their tenacity and faith, they could withstand all kinds of pains, tragedies, and failures that inundated them in their younger years.
Teachers to children and grandchildren
“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.” – Deuteronomy 4:9
God has revealed many truths to our grandparents that we have not yet realized. Because of the depth and measure of their knowledge and wisdom, especially with Christianity, they serve as great teachers of Christian values and doctrines.
Exemplify righteousness
“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” – Proverbs 16:31
We can always witness the righteous ways and character of our grandparents. They exude justice, fairness, and compassion in their behavior and dealings with other people.
Source of godly wisdom
“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
Godly wisdom is a rare trait that can reside in people these days. Only in the presence of faithful and mature Christians like our grandparents can we access wisdom from the Lord.
Sharing of God’s Word and power
“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 71:18
In the Scriptures, our grandparents are often called “elders” in the community. They possess the righteousness, experience, and empowerment that come from God. They always stress the importance of salvation more than any other teachings in the Bible.
How to be an intentional grandparent
Aside from just knowing some Bible verses about grandparents’ love, you should also remember these tips on how to be an intentional grandparent:
Foster a strong relationship with your grandchildren
Make an effort to connect with them by spending time with them, listening to their stories, and showing interest in their lives.
Model Christ-like behavior
Be an example of Christian life by living out your faith and values before your grandchildren. Practice regular prayer and Bible reading. Soon, the younger generation is bound to follow suit.
Pray for your grandchildren
Pray regularly for their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being and future. You can invite them to join you in your prayer time and let them lead the prayer occasionally.
Share your faith
Share your faith age-appropriately through conversations, stories, and experiences with your grandchildren. Teaching them the concept and way to salvation is the best gift you can give them. Encourage them to join the youth group in church and participate in other spiritual activities.
Be intentional in passing on your faith
Look for opportunities to teach your grandchildren about God’s love and grace and share your faith journey. Invite them to church and worship services. They would be amazed to find food Christian friends in church.
Help reinforce Christian values
Reinforce the Christian values that your grandchildren learn from their parents by supporting their parents’ efforts to raise them in a Christ-centered home.
Encourage a love of scripture
Encourage your grandchildren to read and study the Bible and share your insights and experiences with them. Share with them Bible verses about grandparents’ love. When they develop the habit of reading the Bible, their eternal life becomes secured.
Build memories together
Create special memories and traditions with your grandchildren that incorporate the love of God and reinforce the importance of faith in your family. You can go to the park, play sports, or have a nice dinner together in town. Having more bonding time with members of the family pleases God.
Support your grandchildren’s spiritual growth
Offer guidance and support to help them develop their relationship with Jesus and grow in their faith journey.
Be present and available
Be available to your grandchildren, providing support and encouragement when they need it. Always be willing to listen and offer guidance when asked. Our children and grandchildren need us in their dire moments of sorrow, pain, and desperation. Show love and empathy.
The Christian legacy of our grandfathers
Grandparents are often considered carriers of a family’s cultural and moral values. In particular, Christian grandparents have a unique legacy to pass on to their grandchildren. They can share their faith, offer guidance, and impart wisdom based on their life experiences.
In our modern world, where self-entitlement and a false sense of independence without God rule our hearts, grandparents are an oasis of spiritual truth and comfort.
Our families are dear and special to us. Our hearts gladden when we hear grandfather stories of challenges, troubles, wars, and victories. In all of their narratives, God is the main character.
The Christian legacy of grandparents is an essential part of the family heritage. Their faith, values, and life experiences can help shape the next generation and provide a foundation for spiritual and moral development.
We will almost all become a grandparent one day. The ultimate and lasting legacy we can give our children and grandchildren is that we have spent our lives walking with Christ and sharing Bible verses about grandparents’ love.
We may all have been scarred by the cruelty and harshness of this life. But with God, we can show that we are triumphant.
