For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9
Spring 2007 Volume 8, Issue 2 |
The Value of Godly Grandparents |
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t may surprise some to learn that the words “grandparent” and “grandfather” do not appear in the King James Version of the Bible. Young’s Analytical Concordance lists the word “grandmother” only once (2 Timothy 1:5). There are numerous references to “children’s children” (Joel 1:2, 3; Psalm 78:5, 6). The need for godly grandparents has never been greater. We live in a society filled with countless devices that are calculated to destroy our children physically, morally, and spiritually. There are children often left unattended with only the television and the computer serving as babysitters. Hours of violence, sex, profanity, nudity, and immorality can have a devastating effect upon these impressionable minds. Child abuse has become a major problem in our nation. Hardly a day passes but what the media informs us of such. Recently in Atlanta, Georgia, a single mother with her live-in boyfriend tortured and murdered her eight year old daughter. The Nashville Tennessean published an article relating that a father had raped his one-day-old daughter! Another news item told of parents who were arrested for smoking marijuana with their six year old son. These are only three examples of such bizarre behavior on the part of some parents. Grandparents are often called upon to render assistance where there are single parents, divorce, and where both parents are employed outside the home. How tragic when some grandparents turn a deaf ear to the cry for help when they are in a position to do so. There may be extenuating circumstances that would prevent such help from being given; but perhaps such would be the exception rather than the rule. Godly grandparents can be of tremendous value in helping to prevent such acts of cruelty that have been mentioned. In a day when the sacredness and permanency of the marriage relationship are being discarded, there is an acute need to repeatedly emphasize God’s plan for marriage. Some are predicting that the institution of marriage, as we |
know it, will soon cease to exist. With more and more couples living together outside the marriage union and with homosexual relationships becoming more common, such could very well be the case. Such increases the responsibility of elders, preachers, parents, and grandparents to repeatedly emphasize these vital Biblical truths pertaining to the home. Unfortunately many parents neglect the spiritual welfare of their children. They provide no spiritual instruction and are often reluctant for others to do so. Here is where grandparents can step in and create opportunities to meet this need. Through the years, I have witnessed many grandparents bringing their grandchildren to the services of the church. Their desire has been to supply that which is not given by the parents. Surely God does not overlook the loving care and concern shown by these godly grandparents. The value of godly grandparents is seen in the life of Timothy, Paul’s son in the gospel. While Paul was responsible for his conversion, the seed of faith was first sown in his heart by his grandmother, Lois and his mother, Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5). Whatever good Timothy accomplished in the Lord’s kingdom, the influence of his grandmother contributed to it. When we have more grandmothers like Lois, there will be more young men like Timothy! The major role of grandparents is to live a godly life; and through this means reinforce what is verbally taught about purity, honesty, truthfulness, modesty and proper language. The fundamentals of Christianity, of which so many young people are ignorant today, can be implanted also by godly grandparents. All grandparents should resolve to spend more quality time with their grandchildren. You need them and they need you. Do this before it is too late. You will be helping to shape and mold their lives into what God would have them to be. You will also be creating precious memories that will last a lifetime. Forrest Chapman, |
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