The Blessing of Godly Grandparents

The Scriptures make clear the necessity for God’s people to pass down a godly heritage. Knowledge and commitment to the truth must be passed on to the following generations (see Ps. 71:15–17; 78:4–8). Proverbs 17:6 describes the delightful situation in which righteousness has prevailed for at least three generations:

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.

Counsel to Grandchildren and Grandparents

Consider first the wider circle of this text: on its perimeter you find grandchildren and grandparents. The first line speaks of the mutual joy that they share with each other. It was a happy day when your grandparents heard that you came into the world. From then on, they followed with interest your development and progress and activity, particularly in the spiritual realm.

Note these counsels to grandchildren:

• Give honor/respect to your grandparents. We live in an age of eroding respect.
• Be thankful for and to your grandparents. You would not be here without them.
• Keep in touch with your grandparents. It is easy for them to become forgotten members of the family because you do not see them as often.
• Be helpful to your grandparents. They have come to the time in their lives when they cannot do the physical things that they once did.
• Be a crown on the head of your grandparents. Don’t be an ornament of shame or embarrassment to them.

Similarly, note these counsels to grandparents:

• Don’t give up on your grandchildren. Don’t ever give up on them. Yes, they may do some things that you never did, or behave in ways that you don’t fully approve of, but in your youth, you were probably not always the paragon of good sense and uprightness.
• Look to influence your grandkids. Thoughtfully seek to give gifts that will encourage them in their walk with Christ. Encourage them in your conversations with them. Does your talk ever turn to spiritual things and to their walk with Christ?
• Pray for your grandkids. Even if you don’t get to see them very often, you can still pray for them very often. This is one of the greatest ministries you can have to them because you are making your appeal to the One who can do significantly more in their lives than all that we can ask or think (Eph. 3:20).

Counsel to Children and Parents

Now consider a narrower circle in the text: this “inner line” focuses our attention on children and their fathers (parents).

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward. (Ps. 127:3)

In ancient Israel, children were clearly seen to be a gift from God—a gift to be treasured. Conversely, to be childless was a thing of great disappointment and was looked upon culturally as a sign of divine displeasure. But while it may have been such in some circumstances (see 2 Sam. 6:23), both then and now it is only a working out of God’s divine providence in our fallen world, in which there is not a one-to-one correlation between our perceived blessings (or lack thereof) and God’s pleasure or displeasure (Eccl. 8:14; John 9:1–3).

Note these counsels to children:

• Obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right (Eph. 6:1–2; Ex. 20:12).
• Obey them promptly and sincerely. Note that Jesus was obedient to His parents (Luke 2:51).
• Make your parents proud. Not just in athletics, or music, or drama, but give them reason to find joy in your progress of faith (Phil. 2:19–30).

Fathers, the children that you brought into the world will remain your children for as long as life will last. Not only are you to provide what they need to live in this world but also an atmosphere in which you are preparing them for the world to come. Children do not go to heaven on the basis of their parents’ profession of faith, nor their dedication as a baby, nor their baptism as an infant. There must be a loving atmosphere where they see the faith lived out as a daily reality, not just as a Sunday thing. Knowing Christ as Savior and Lord is the only way to enter heaven.

Note these counsels to fathers:

• Lead your children in worship. This includes both corporate worship and family worship.
• Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Shepherd their hearts. Teach them by word and by example.
• Discipline them. Do it with wisdom, so that it is natural for them to obey. Do it with love, so that it is a pleasure for them to obey. Do it with firmness, so that it is advisable for them to obey.
• Pray for them. Charles Spurgeon noted, “We must never cease to pray for our children until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, what should we as godly grandparents, who have limited time left in this world, desire that our grandchildren see in us? First, may they see that our walk with the Lord is a thing of first importance in our lives (Matt. 6:33). Second, may they see that our worship of the Lord is essential. With us, the Lord’s Day is a nonnegotiable (Heb. 10:25). Third, may they see that we have a passion for the lost to come to Christ—He is their only hope.