Sharing Your Faith With Your Grandkids

Grandparents have a special role in their grandchildren’s lives, one that’s full of potential for imparting wisdom, values, and yes, faith.

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In this episode of ‘Grandparenthood Podcast’, Ian Barnett and Ben McEachen dive into how grandparents can play a pivotal role in fostering their grandchildren’s relationship with God.

With the pressures of full-time parenting behind them, many grandparents find they have more time and space to invest in their grandchildren’s lives.

As Ian notes, grandparents are often “having more access with our grandkids than ever before.”

This gives them a chance to engage deeply in their spiritual lives in ways they might not have been able to with their own children.

“Now as grandparents, you actually start to realize, man, I should have done this with my own kids,” Ian said.

That’s the beauty of the second chance grandparents often get — to influence their grandkids in meaningful, faith-filled ways.

It’s not always about preaching but rather embedding faith into everyday moments and conversations.

Grandparents are “having more access with our grandkids than ever before,” enabling them to engage in their spiritual lives.

Overcoming generational barriers

It’s true that many grandparents face challenges in navigating generational divides, especially when their own children may be distant from the church.

“Many grandparents will say, my kids don’t want me to talk about faith,” Ian said of his experiences as founder of the National Grandparents Movement.

Yet, even with these boundaries, there’s still room for grandparents to share their beliefs — even if it’s just through small actions like praying for their grandkids or sending encouraging letters.

“Action does speak louder than words,” he said and explained the importance of leading by example.

Whether through a text, FaceTime, or a heartfelt letter, these actions communicate love, faith, and care.

“Now as grandparents, you actually start to realize, man, I should have done this with my own kids.”

Practical ways to build faith connections

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to sharing faith, but Ian shares several practical strategies to make it easier: prayer, communication, and even traditional letter-writing.

These are powerful ways to nurture the relationship and stay connected, no matter the distance.

Also: “Hug your kids… hug your grandkids” – these simple acts speak volumes.

Listen to this episode of ‘Grandparenthood Podcast’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

The legacy of faith

Ultimately, the role of grandparents in shaping the next generation’s faith is invaluable.

“The bottom line is I want to see my kids and grandkids in heaven,” Ian said.

It’s a journey of patience, hope, and unshakable belief that even small actions today can lead to big changes tomorrow.

Listen to this episode of ‘Grandparenthood Podcast’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro