HoHum:
Today is Grandparents Day. Marian McQuade campaigned for grandparents day because she appreciated her grandparents so much. President Jimmy Carter made grandparents day a national holiday in 1978.
WBTU:
Biblical Grandparenting by Dr. Josh Mulvihill
The word grandparent occurs only 2 x in the Bible, once in OT and once in NT. 1). Moses and Aaron are speaking with Pharaoh before the plague of locusts and they say, “They will fill your houses… something neither your parents nor your ancestors (literally grandfathers) have ever seen from the day they settled in this land till now” (Exodus 10:6)
2). 2 Timothy 1:5: 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.
Despite the limited use of the term grandparent, the Bible has other ways of referring to grandparents. The word grandfather (in Exodus 10:6) is taken from two Hebrew words that are equivalent to the phrase “the father of his father (translated ancestor in NIV).” Grandchild is equivalent to “the son of his son.” Biblical phrases such as forefather, father’s father, God of your fathers, and children’s children, depending on the context, are referencing grandparenthood. Thus, references to grandparents are common in the Bible.
Thesis: Introduce Christian grandparenting with 3 “H” Words
For instances:
1. Heritage
The word heritage in Scripture refers to a legacy or an inheritance. Psalm 127:3 says that children are a heritage from the Lord. What is the heritage that grandparents are to pass on to their grandchildren? The one component of heritage that is specific to grandparents is the salvation of grandchildren. Inheritance language is used 65 times in the NT. Over 40 x, this terminology refers to the eternal inheritance secured for us by Christ. The story line of Scripture reminds grandparents to guard themselves from the fatal thought that grandchildren will naturally come to faith in Christ. Many of the Jewish people were guilty of this error. They believed they were participants in God’s covenant because of their family heritage as descendants of Abraham and so they were negligent to pass on their faith. Joshua 24:31- Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him. Judges 2:10- After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. May we learn from…
The Bible suggests that a grandparent’s role is to leave grandchildren with an inheritance. Proverbs 13:22 states, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children (speaking of grandchildren here).” Proverbs 19:14 says, “House and wealth are inherited from parents (fathers).” The Bible speaks of 2 ways grandparents leave an inheritance: financial possessions transferred to the coming generations; and reputation, a good name that is passed along. Not going to talk much about leaving a financial inheritance, that is up to each individual or couple. Here in the USA if no one leaves a financial inheritance to us we can survive and many times even thrive. This is the land of opportunity. In Israel one generation passed ownership of the land to the next generation. Multiple generations lived on the same piece of land. If did not have any land then one was very poor indeed. They lived off the land and the land was their inheritance. Much different in our day- “I’m spending my children’s inheritance.” Focused on passing on a good name. “A good name, is better than fine perfume” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). A good name is valuable. A grandparent’s reputation matters as it impacts future generations for good or bad. Ruth and Elmer Towns wrote this, “When a grandfather can no longer walk down a trail with his grandchildren, nor is he physically able to sit and talk with his grandchildren, when they come for a visit, what can he do? A grandfather can put his name upon them, as well as the name of the Lord, who will always be with the grandchildren.”
2. Honor
Ephesians 6:1-3: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Need to bring Leviticus 19:32 here to expand on this topic: “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” In our day emphasize the immediate family but what about the extended family? In bible times there was a much wider understanding of father and mother. This 5th commandment in the 10 commandments has a bearing on the subject of grandparenthood. This is the first commandment of the 10 that talks about interpersonal relationships. The word honor means to revere, to hold in awe, to value at a high price. The implication is that grandchildren are to have an attitude of honor and respect toward grandparents all the days of their lives. Honoring grandparents is demonstrated by positive action on their behalf- meeting their needs, listening to their advice, recognizing their worth, and doing so in all sorts of ways large and small. Grandparents are honored when young people listen to their wisdom. Just as grandparents have a responsibility to invest in a grandchild’s spiritual life, grandchildren have the responsibility to honor their grandparents.
Here is the kicker- it is hard to show honor and respect to someone who are rarely present or engaged in our lives. Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers (parents), do not exasperate (or embitter) your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Parents are the gatekeepers (or should be) to the grandchildren. Need to have a good relationship with the children if even have a chance with the grandchildren. In Bible times, the children took care of the parents when they became too sick and elderly to take care of themselves. With the advent of Social Security, Medicare and pension plans, we no longer have to take in our elderly. Also, with the longer lifespans, many grandparents “check out” long before they become frail. Andrew Blechman, author of Leisureville, explored what life is like as a retired person living in The Villages, a gated community in Florida. The Villages is larger than Manhattan, boasts a population over 100,000, has a golf course for every day of the month, and has its own newspaper, radio, and TV station. The Villages is missing only one thing: children. The residents of the Villages do not attempt to conceal the fact that “at the Villages we spend our dollars on ourselves.” There is a noticeable uncaring attitude toward future generations and a declining rate of volunteerism among this group. The self indulgent values of many who live in the Villages are not isolated to this one group but reflect society’s views of retirement and the role of the elderly in America. To give some history here, Del Webb, a wealthy Arizona entrepreneur, helped to redefine the role and place of the elderly in American society. In 1962, Time magazine put Webb on the cover with the title, “The Retirement City: A New Way to live for the Old.” Webb built one of the first retirement communities and located it in Arizona, promising sunshine, low cost living, and something to do. Webb sold this lifestyle as the new American Dream, suggesting retiree’s “had worked hard, and now it was time to pursue hobbies, play golf, and socialize with their peers.” In 1962, the idea was so revolutionary that Time made Webb its “Man of the Year.” Webb had created a new vision for retirement that enticed older adults to relocate geographically far away from families and focus solely on themselves. All but cut off from younger generations now older people could focus on relationships with their peers and enjoy their second childhood. Isn’t there something more that God has in mind for us? There is coming a Judgment Day and I want my children and grandchildren there with me at the Father's table in that glorious land called heaven
Don’t the young marginalize the older generations? Yes, but it is a 2 way street. Respect is earned
3. Holiness
Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Who will see the Lord? Those who are holy, those who are pure in heart. How do we become that? Must be saved and sanctified. To be holy and sanctified is to be set apart for God
The aim of grandparenting is the salvation and sanctification of successive generations (Psalm 78:7: “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”). For this to happen, grandparents must not be stubborn or rebellious (Psalm 78:8: “They would not be like their ancestors —a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.”) but rather aim to live a Christ-centered life worthy of imitation (1 John 2:6: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”). The good news is that God enables us to be a good grandparents: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you” Isaiah 46:4. Grandparenting matters! The biblical roles of grandmothers and grandfathers are essential for the spiritual health and well-being of the family. So, don’t insulate or isolate from what God wants to do in us and through us. Aim to make a contribution into the senior years. In as much as we have health, strength, and opportunity, nurture the faith formation of younger generations. God never puts us on the shelf – never! So pursue what God prioritizes, and as we do, pray this text: “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 (NIV).
So what?
Intergenerational Ministry- Church is one of the few social institutions where young people have access to cross generational relationships. Sticky Faith says, “Every young person needs a web of support that ideally includes at least 5 non parental adults.” Some of those need to be grandparents. But how? Need to talk more about this
Start a Grandparenting Ministry by Legacy Coalition- have one in another local church willing to help if anyone interested
Psalm 78:5-6: he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children (as much as 5 generations mentioned)
