Equip Parents & Grandparents to Hand Down the Faith

One thing this Covid-19 Pandemic has shown us with the stay at home orders is parents/ grandparents are the people who have to teach the children they love. This has become the case for school and is the case - has always been the case - when it comes to handing down the faith. It is not the job of the church to be the people who hand down the faith - it is the God-given job of parents and grandparents. It is God's best plan for parents and grandparents to hand down the faith to the children and grandchildren with whom He blesses them. It is the job of the church to equip, encourage and enable parents and grandparents, so they hand down the faith in their homes. We clearly see this now as children are not able to go to church, but while it absolutely has to happen now, it needs to be one of the things which continues far past Covid-19.

So, take the time now to establish a plan where you are equipping and encouraging parents and grandparents to hand down the faith at home - while they are not able to go to church, and then continue it after they are able to return. It is not difficult to provide resources for parents and grandparents to use at home - consider the following . . . 

They Are The Teachers - Chosen By God

Teaching children has become a much more visible "job" for parents - and some grandparents - with the closing of schools due to Covid-19. While teaching children their ABC's is now something which is happening in their homes, teaching them to know the Lord is something which needs to be part of their home life at all times - with their parents and grandparents as their teachers. This is God's best plan for the handing down of the faith from one generation to the next - for grandparents and parents to teach the children they love about the One who loves them the most and how they are able to know, walk and talk with Him. (Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is an excellent resource to help them teach children ages four - fourteen to talk with God.)

Equip Grandparents/Parents to Hand Down the Faith with Mystery Bags - God Made You Unique & Oh, So Valuable

It is always important for leaders in our churches to equip, encourage and engage grandparents and parents to hand down the faith to the children they love, but even more so now with so many churches closed. Consider sharing the following Mystery Bag project with the grandparents and parents in your church.

The month of May is National Mental Health Month, so with May just around the corner and especially with so many of us staying at home and our grandchildren experiencing the feelings of isolation and being away from their friends, I want to write today about something very, very important. Suicide. I was shocked to learn suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States for children, youth and young adults ages ten - 34. Yes, this statistic included children as young as ten. I have a grandson who is eleven.

This got my attention; and I assume it has your attention as well.

The world in which we, and our grandchildren live is filled with stress. So many things in their young lives cause trauma leaving children, teens and young adults dealing with serious issues with which they may not know how to deal or talk to others about the things weighing them down.

These are serious issues without simple answers, but there are things we are able to do to help the ones we love grow up with a strong, healthy mind and with the ability to cope. The first is to educate ourselves as to the warning signs - know what you should be looking for and keep an eye out. Do not think this is something which is not possibly going to happen in your family. It is possible; know what to watch for and then watch for those things.

Next pray for God to protect the hearts and minds of those you love. The Bible presents Satan as a "roaring lion" and says he is looking for people to "devour" in 1 Peter 5:8. Pray for them and model what it looks like to "keep a firm grip on the faith"

As difficult situations arise where you and the ones you love live - COVID-19, severe weather, violence, illnesses, bullying, school pressures, divorce, being over scheduled, moving, death, etc, pray about these things and be proactive - talk with your family. Carefully monitor what your grandchildren hear/see as far as news on the television - it is often frightening and confusing. Be careful as well about the conversations you have in their presence. Remember; "Little pitchers have big ears."

Be proactive and intentional. Plan opportunities to talk about and engage your grandchildren in activities which help them understand how very, very valuable they are to you and to God. Help them see themselves the way God sees them. Consider trying the following Mystery Bag Project with the children you love - gather the supplies and send them to your grandchildren. You will need . . . 

Equip Grandparents & Parents to Know & Hand Down a Joy Like No Other

One of the most important things you will do as a person who serves in and leads a Children's Ministry is for you to equip and encourage grandparents and parents to hand down the faith. Especially now as with social distancing, you are not able to physically meet with children to help them learn to know, love, talk and walk with God. It is always essential for you to equip the grandparents and parents to do this.

So, today to help you help them I am happy to share with you a post from Grandmas with Heart - please read this and share it with the grandparents and parents in your church.

This quote is something we know to be absolutely true - our grandchildren fill our hearts with so much joy. When we see their smiles, we experience joy. When we hear them call out to us, we experience joy. When they make the choice to believe in God, we experience joy. When we are able to watch them grown in their walk with God, we experience joy.

But, joy is not a "one-way street", because as grandmas - and grandpas - we are able to help our grandchildren experience joy as well. In John 16:24 we read . . .

Children are a Blessing & Gift from God

As you try to connect with grandparents and parents from a distance, consider sharing this post with them today . . . 

My grandchildren are completing this school year from home as in Michigan children will not return to their schools due to COVID-19. While they will be able to connect with their teachers through their computers (their school already had issued them laptops or ipads last Fall), they will not be able to spend time in their school with other children until Fall. This is certainly not what any of us thought this school year would look like.

Hand Down the Faith with Mystery Bags - Paper Airplane, Rocket & Cross

With the families in your church celebrating Resurrection Sunday from home, consider sending them this link for a fun and engaging activity they could try with the children they love to celebrate together - or for grandparents to celebrate virtually through tech with the children they love.

In just a couple days we will celebrate the most amazing day in history; the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection of Jesus is our core message, because it made God's grace available to us.

So, share the Good News of Jesus with your children/ grandchildren. If they have not already put their trust in Jesus, take time to tell them how they are able to do this - consider using this simple, and fun tool as a Mystery Bag Project with them - which is an ideal activity to do virtually if you are not able to physically be together. You will need . . .

Shape, Guide & Direct the Children God has Given to Them

I love this quote from Tony Evans - "It is easier to shape a child
than to repair an adult." At all times, but especially now with children home for school, their parents possibly home from work, frightening news, people wearing masks, and so much uncertainty related to COVID-19 it is essential for us to be intentional about equipping grandparents and parents, so they are able to share the truth of how we are able to trust God. They are able to help shape the children they love by . . .