Over the New Year holiday my wife and I found out that one of our sons and his wife are expecting in July.
Being our first grandchild, we are eager and excited about embracing our new role as grandparents.
Providentially, I discovered a podcast discussing a concept called “Intentional Christian Grandparenting.”
The presenter — a retired pastor — works for a Christian ministry that provides Scriptural wisdom and practical insights to assist grandparents to fulfill their God-given role and responsibilities.
His teaching was rooted in Deuteronomy 4:9: “Take heed, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.”
For grandparents, the souls of their grandchildren should be of greatest concern, and they ought to help them to live life worthily so that their posterity might spend eternity with the Lord (cf. Mt 16:26).
Grandparenting differs from parenting in that while they share the same goal, they have distinct duties and obligations.
The primary duty of parents is one of structure and discipline; and the primary duty of grandparents is that of influence by supporting parents by being involved in the instruction of the things of the soul.
Yet it should be more than just being a good example; it includes intentional action too that is always respectful not to usurp parental authority.
Pope Francis often recalls the great influence that his Argentinean grandmother, Rosa, had in his Christian upbringing.
The Holy Father fondly attributes her marking the “path of faith” for him by speaking about Jesus, teaching him the Catechism, and transmitting the faith by her witness of love and words of wisdom.
For this to happen, grandparents must build strong relationships with their grandchildren so that they can imbue into their lives the “things of the Lord” and assist them in battling the culture which can easily jeopardize their soul.
Grandparents must prepare their grandchildren for their future — and their ultimate future in eternity — by helping them to know what God has revealed and by reinforcing the good and the right.
Scripture testifies that it is God’s plan that grandparents use their unique influence to greatly impact their grandchildren.
The Third Letter of John Chapter 4 teaches that “no greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.”
Intentional Christian grandparenting encourages grandkids by cheering them on and by seeking opportunities to remind them always to “live for Jesus.”
Besides lifting them up in prayer, grandparents must discern practical and creative ways to pass down their spiritual legacy to their grandchildren.
Family gatherings, vacations, overnights, and extended visits can provide wonderful occasions to get to know one’s grandkids — up close and personal — and to share one’s personal faith journey, including struggles and difficulties, as appropriate.
Perhaps grandparents could supply their grandkids with faith resources such as devotional and catechetical materials; sponsor them to attend summer programs such as Camp Gray, Totus Tuus, and Love Begins Here; or plan a pilgrimage to nearby churches, shrines, or even Jubilee Year sites.
All of these are powerful ways to “use their voice” and extend their influence in fun and formative ways.
Remember that there is no “magic formula” to bring grandkids to Christ since it is ultimately a work of God and His grace working in and through us.
A grandparent’s duty is to make Jesus clear to their grandchildren, only the Holy Spirit can make Him dear to them.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us encourage all grandparents to assist their grandchildren to “set their hope in God” (Ps 78:7) in intentional and loving ways.
Michael D. Wick is the director of mission for the Diocese of Madison.