Grandparents: Introduction Series

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 48:1-22

1. What can a “poor” grandfather give to a son who has everything?

2. What can an absentee grandfather give to children he seldom sees?

3. What can a physically weak grandfather give to his grandchildren?

4. What can a grandfather give, who has nothing left to give?

B. FOUR THINGS GRANDFATHER SAID TO THEM

1. Jacob told them his testimony. “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan” (v.3). Was this Jacob’s salvation experience? “The angel which redeemed me from evil” (v.16).

WHAT’S INVOLVED IN A TESTIMONY?

What you were like before salvation.

What you did to receive Christ.

How you were changed.

“God before whom my fathers, Abraham, and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long until this day” (v.15).

2. Jacob told them the Word of God. He told them God’s name, God’s words and God’s expectations (vv.15-17).

3. Jacob told them the four-fold promise of God (v.4).

a. Wealth. “Behold I will make thee fruitful.”

b. Influence. “I will multiply thee.”

c. Nation. “I will make of thee a multitude of people.”

d. Land. I will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.”

OMITTED FROM ABRAHAM’S COVENANT

1. Bless these who bless you.

2. Curse your enemies.

3. Make name great.

4. Jacob told them about their grandmother. “When I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was a little way to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there” (v.7).

1. Your grandmother died in travel.

2. I was there when she died.

3. We were almost home.

4. She was buried by the road.

C. FOUR THINGS GRANDFATHER DID FOR THEM

1. Jacob adopted them. “Now these two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh . . . are mine” (v.5). The boys were half Hebrew and half Egyptian.

2. Jacob kissed and hugged them. Jacob showed his affection. ‘He kissed them and embraced them” (v.10).

3. Jacob laid his hands on them. “And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn” (v.14). The word wittingly means Jacob knew what he was doing.

4. Jacob blessed his grandchildren. “By faith Jacob when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph” (Heb. 11:21).

HOW TO BLESS CHILDREN

Step 1: A meaningful touch.

Step 2: Blessing with a spoken word.

Step 3: Attach high value to the one being blessed.

Step 4: Picture a special future for the one being blessed.

Step 5: An active commitment to fulfilling the blessing.

From God Bless You, by Elmer Towns

D. FOUR THINGS GRANDFATHER GAVE THEM

1. Jacob gave them his name. Jacob adopted the two boys. “They are mine” (v.5). “Let my name be upon them, and the name of my father Abraham and Isaac” (v.16).

2. Jacob gave God’s future to them. “Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (v.16). “And he blessed them that day, saying, in thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh; and he set Ephraim before Manasseh” (v. 20).

3. Jacob gave them his love.

4. Jacob gave them an example of worship.

a. The position of worship. ‘He (Jacob) bowed himself with his face to the earth” (v.12).

b. The attitude of worship. “Jacob . . . worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff” (Heb. 11:21).

E. FOUR LESSONS TO TAKE AWAY

1. Grandparents should be concerned about the spiritual condition of their grandchildren.

2. Grandparents shall be a spiritual example.

3. Grandparents should give their testimony.

4. Grandparents should bless (naturally and spiritually).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

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