Isn't This What You Want for Your Children's Ministry?

For the past eight years – since I became a grandma – I have talked, quite a bit actually, about why it matters for those of us who serve in Children’s Ministry, to focus on engaging, equipping and encouraging grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren.  

Today I’m sharing with you part of my family’s growing “Prayer History” to illustrate why this is so important. I posted this on my other blog – grandma’s cookie jar, but want to share it with you as well.

There are things which bring a smile to my face and which fill my heart with joy . . . things which I experience because I am, “grandma”. For example, when my grandsons run into my home with big smiles on their faces – I also have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! When my grandsons are excited to tell me about something they learned, did or a new story they made up – I have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! When my grandsons laugh – I have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! When my grandsons snuggle next to me or in my lap and give hugs and kisses – I have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! All of these things are wonderful and amazing parts of being; “grandma” and I love them all! But, there are some things which are even better!  

The day Josiah called me on the phone when he was four years old to tell me he was, “part of God’s family” . . . absolutely one of the most wonderful, amazing, joy-filled and best days of my life!  

The day Caleb and I were talking about how to get to Heaven and he said he wanted to go to Heaven. He told me; “I believe in Jesus!” Then he turned to Shane (three years old) and said; “Shane, if you want to go to Heaven you have to believe in Jesus!” To which Shane said; “I want to go to Heaven . . . I believe in Jesus!” Definitely one of the most wonderful, amazing, joy-filled and best days of my life! And, these wonderful, amazing, joy-filled, best days continue! 

Most weekends when the boys have their sleep-overs at my house, we do a Science, the Bible & Fun lesson – the boys love science projects and they have been enjoying learning about real Bible people who chose to know, love and walk with God. While they did not initially enjoy keeping a prayer journal, they have come to actually look forward to it! The boys give me their prayer requests, which they put in their journals and I put in mine, and we also draw/write the things for which we are thankful – and how God answers our prayers.  

One of the things we have been praying about for Caleb is for him to have great days at school. Last night my husband and I went to stay with the boys at their house for a little bit while their parents had a meeting to attend. When we walked in their kitchen, Caleb ran up and told me he had a really great day at school! Then he said; “Grandma, did you pray for me today?” I told him I had certainly been praying for him. He said: “I thought so! This is why I had such a great day!”  

Yes! Most definitely, absolutely one of the most wonderful, amazing, joy-filled and best days of my life! I love how the boys are able to see God answer our prayers – and have the growing confidence He will answer our prayers! Our “Prayer History” is growing and this grandma’s heart is filled with joy!

So, if you are in Children’s Ministry, isn’t this the type of interaction you want to encourage among the grandparents in your ministry? Can you imagine the impact engaged and intentional grandparents would make upon the children in your church? Grandparents are second only to parents in the amount of impact they make in the lives of their grandchildren, more impact potential than Children’s Ministry workers.

It is my hope and prayer, this post today encourages you to commit to engage, equip and encourage grandparents to be intentional in passing on a heritage of faith to the children they love. (You will learn more about how to do this at legacycoalition.com)