Many grandparents would say that being a traditional grandparent is a lot more fun than being a parent. You get the joy of having grandkids in your life and doing fun stuff together on the weekends without the responsibility of actually parenting them during the week. That being said, many grandparents don’t realize the strategic place God has put them in for passing their faith along to the next generation. With National Grandparents’ Day this weekend, here are a few thoughts for grandparents about their importance to their grandchildren.
When Grandparents are Intentional about Actively Listening to Grandchildren
When grandchildren have the opportunity to see their grandparents on a fairly regular basis, they often feel more comfortable telling them things they wouldn’t typically tell their parents. Especially if they know their grandparents are often more willing to actively listen rather than respond with an immediate comment, discipline or correction, according to Christian Parent Guide.
Grandparents often have less responsibility than parents and a bit of extra time in their schedules, especially on weekends. So the unhurried environment lends itself to more potential for conversations and attention. Their cultivated spiritual maturity from many years of walking with the Lord, combined with the wisdom and knowledge gained through life experience, also lends those conversations great depth and meaning.
This gives grandparents a unique opportunity to gently dig into how to pass along their faith to the next generation. Deuteronomy 4:9 directs parents and grandparents to be intentional about passing along their faith to the next generation, directing parents and grandparents to, “…diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and grandchildren.”
The Art of Being Intentional about Passing Along Your Faith
The idea of “diligently keep yourself” is an admonition to parents and grandparents to first make sure they’re keeping themselves strong in their faith. If parents and grandparents aren’t remaining strong and taking steps to grow, they can’t effectively pass along their faith.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 gives a snapshot of ways that parents and grandparents can be intentional in sharing their faith: talking about it while sitting and relaxing in the house, while taking a walk (or maybe during travel times), when getting ready to go to bed at night, after getting up in the morning, and making a point of memorizing it (maybe with memory cards or scripture set to music). Other creative ways of being intentional can certainly be implemented.
Focus on the Family recounts the story of a man who, as a young boy visiting his grandfather, found him reading the Bible early in the morning. That one incident planted a seed of curiosity that eventually blossomed into the grandchild embracing Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.
The Importance of Praying for Your Grandchildren
One of the most powerful things a grandparent can do for their grandchildren is to pray for them. The beauty of this is that while the body may age and saddle an older person with limitations, there are no limitations regarding prayer, and there is no distance. A person can pray flat on their back, sitting in a chair, standing up and doing the dishes, or whenever else the thought of praying comes to mind.
Prayer can be an amazing tool for witnessing. If grandchildren know that their grandparent(s) are praying for them in specific ways, grandchildren can see the results of those prayers and realize that not only does God exist, but He is very active today in the lives of His people and those whom they love.
Prayer can also be a very simple and gentle way to be intentional about introducing grandchildren to Jesus, and a springboard for talking about how He has answered the grandparents’ prayers in the past, which in turn will strengthen the grandchild’s faith. So consider keeping a journal of prayers prayed and answered prayers. One really great movie about the power of prayer, developing a strategy and passing along faith to the next generation is “War Room.”
Another great resource to help grandparents and even parents develop a simple plan for Bible reading and discussion is the Connect Family Prayer Guide.
Photo Credit: GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages
Originally published September 09, 2026.
