HELPING GRANDCHILDREN APPRECIATE THE FAMILY OF GOD

While our immediate family is a special gift, to miss the treasure of being part of the greater family of God is like having a birthday cake without candles, ice cream and a party. It is imperative that our grandchildren discover the indescribable blessing and privilege that is theirs through Christ as joint heirs with the rest of the family of God in Heaven and on earth. The fact is that to be in Christ is also to be part of God’s family for all eternity. It is my earnest prayer that my grandchildren and your grandchildren may genuinely delight in singing, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God!”

Guard against speaking negatively in front of your grandchildren or their parents about what goes on in your church or any other church. Go out of your way to speak highly about the blessings of being part of God’s family, even when things aren’t how you like them. Speaking kindly about the music, preaching, people and programs will help them understand that the family God is not about my preferences, but God’s purposes.

GRANDPARENTS & HEALTHY FAMILIES

Healthy families don’t happen without intentional effort. They require lots of work and deliberate action. God’s Word suggests that healthy families – in fact, healthy relationships in general – are the product of correct assumptions about God and ourselves that direct the way we live and relate. Healthy, stable families live beyond themselves. Two characteristics particularly stand out in such families:

1) God-fearing (Dt. 6:1-2): Living in the context of a biblical high view of God and who we are as His creation!
2) Humble (Phil. 2:4): Living with a view to the interest of others beyond our own.

No matter what has happened in the past, grandparentS are in unique position to build a legacy for a healthy family. Modeling what it means to know God intimately and correctly will help your grandchildren understand that the world does not revolve around them. Healthy families love God wholeheartedly and love each other unconditionally. Grandparents have the power to lead them on the path of a long and healthy life.

What do you think? What have you learned in this process you can share with other grandparents?

Cavin Harper, CGN

Family Code of Honor

“The only way to achieve real freedom from the effects of a dishonoring parent is to honor that person.” –Gary Smalley & John Trent

I believe honor expresses the high value God places on the role of parents in the life of their children, and that grandparents are in a unique position to teach their grandchildren the value of and the purpose for giving honor to parents. To do so effectively, we must lead by example as we give honor to our own parents — in life or death. While a parent may not always fulfill that role well, we are not exempted from our responsibility to give honor. Scripture makes no allowance for any kind of exceptions, even for parents we may not deem worthy of honor.

God holds us to a higher standard – a code of honor that is built on a foundation of respect. An atmosphere of mutual respect for each other breathes life into a family. This command to honor our parents is so important to God that He attached the promise of “long life” to those who practice it. Therefore, if grandparents are to lead their grandchildren into a long and fruitful life, we must ourselves give honor and be intentional about showing them how to honor their parents.

So, what do you think?