You’ve worked hard all your life to raise a family and build a future for yourself. You’ve climbed the corporate ladder and achieved career success. You’ve volunteered at church and donated your time and money to worthy causes.  Now, you’ve retired. It’s time to kick back and relax, right? Or do you find yourself asking, “Now what? Do I still have a purpose?”

Yes! If you have grandchildren, you are a crucial part of their faith journey. Consider yourself a missionary to the next generation. You don’t have to fly across the ocean to a far-off country. Your missionary field is closer to home.

By living our faith and intentionally nurturing the spiritual lives of our grandchildren, we plant seeds of faith that bear fruit for generations to come.

“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)

Your role as a missionary to the next generation can be one of the most profound and lasting influences you have on your family. Your faith, wisdom, and life experience offer a rich foundation from which you can guide and inspire your grandchildren to embrace spiritual values and live with purpose. Here are some key ways grandparents can fulfill this mission:

1. Modeling Faith Through Life

“For He issued His laws to Jacob; He gave His instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children.” (Psalms 78:5,6) 

Grandparents serve as living examples of a life centered on faith. The way we live, how we love others, face challenges, and maintain hope, can leave a powerful impression on our grandchildren. Our consistency in prayer, attending religious services, and engaging with our faith community speaks volumes to the little ones watching.

2. Sharing Stories of Faith

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” (Psalms 78:4)

Stories from a grandparent’s life, especially our experiences with faith and God’s provision, can have a deep impact on young hearts and minds. These personal testimonies make faith more tangible and relatable for children and teens. Sharing how God has worked in our lives can spark curiosity and a deeper desire for spiritual understanding in the next generation.

3. Praying for Our Grandchildren

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5) 

Prayer is a powerful tool for imparting faith. Grandparents can cover their grandchildren in prayer, asking for wisdom, protection, and spiritual growth. Many grandparents keep prayer journals and intentionally pray for specific aspects of their grandchildren’s lives, building a legacy of intercession. Let your grandchildren know you are praying for them. Ask them for their prayer requests. Share with them when God has answered those prayers to build their faith.

Don’t just pray for but pray with your grandchildren. Teach them that God wants to hear what they have to say. Their thoughts matter to Him.

4. Mentoring and Encouraging

“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,” (Psalms 92:14) 

Grandparents can take on the role of mentors, offering wisdom and guidance to our grandchildren on their faith journeys. We can provide spiritual advice in a non-judgmental and supportive way, encouraging our grandchildren to seek God in their decisions and challenges.

For children and teens navigating the uncertainties of life, having a grandparent who offers unconditional love, acceptance, and spiritual encouragement provides a solid foundation. Grandparents can help grandchildren see that they are part of a larger spiritual family, offering a sense of security and identity.

5. Encouraging a Heart for Service

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25) 

Grandparents who model servant leadership by volunteering, helping those in need, or supporting mission efforts inspire younger generations to live out their faith in practical ways. Encouraging grandchildren to participate in service projects can nurture a compassionate, outward-focused faith. Do a service project together. Let your grandchild pick one important to them. The legacy of servanthood you give your grandchildren will live on long after you do.

Grandparents, as missionaries to the next generation, are uniquely positioned to be spiritual guides, mentors, and encouragers. Our influence often extends far beyond our words, impacting our grandchildren’s worldview, values, and relationship with God. By living our faith and intentionally nurturing the spiritual lives of our grandchildren, we plant seeds of faith that bear fruit for generations to come.

Your Turn

Did your grandparents have an impact on your spiritual walk? How did they model Jesus to you?

What legacy of faith do you want to leave for your grandchildren?