4 Ways to Build Your Grandchildren’s Faith on Father’s Day

Let me tell you about the superhero who lives in my house. For most of our married lives, my husband has traveled as part of his job. He has status and he deserves it. I’m reminded how demanding travel is when I navigate the airport, rental car, and itinerary without him. My stress level goes through the roof until I’m tucked into my basic economy seat. 

He does this every week. We do tease him though. The man literally changes personalities once he hits the airport. 

His superpower? Contentment. 

I can’t tell you how many promotions he turned down because the new position required more trips to the East Coast and time away from his children. Who does that? Not many. 

Today we’re talking up fatherhood.

And as Father’s Day approaches, it’s an opportunity to celebrate and to build faith in our grandchildren. Here’s how:

1) Celebrate our sons and our sons-in-law. Let’s go all out. You still have those love languages, right? These dads need to know we’re in their corners: 

• For prayer at the very least, if, like us, you don’t live near them. 
• For support and breaks if, and when, we can give them. 
• And for encouragement, because we’ve been there. 

God is first and foremost, a father. 2 Corinthians 6:18 reads, “ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

For those of us who didn’t have a great experience with our earthly fathers, this can be hard to receive. Hear me out. No dad, not even the best one, represents God completely. He is wholly other, but He is good.

Psalm 103:13 says, “. . . as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”

Let’s model to the grandchildren that Dad’s a big deal—because he is. 

2) Talk up fatherhood to the grandchildren.

What if there were no fathers? 

How would life change? 

What do fathers do anyway? 

Ask your grandkids what it would be like to trade places with Dad for a day. Ask for your grandchild’s to-do list and then ask for Dad’s. Do a side-by-side comparison. Then, have them come up with a way to help Dad. 

1 Timothy 5:8 says, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Point out their dad’s positive qualities.

3) Read about famous fathers in the Bible with your grandchildren.

Abraham, Joshua, and Boaz provide great Old Testament examples of fatherhood. Zechariah and Joseph make awesome New Testament dads.  One surrogate/substitute dad whose story is a fun read is Jehoida, an Old Testament priest. His wife, Jehosheba, aunt to the infant king, rescued the child from certain death. They cared for him in the Temple for years (2 Chronicles 22 and 23). Who’s your favorite biblical dad and why? Each had their challenges. What can we learn from them? 

One responsibility of dads is to share their faith. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 reads, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” If your grandchildren’s dad doesn’t walk with Jesus or if there’s no dad in the picture, guess who’s holding the baton. You. 

4) Interviews

Have your grandchildren interview their father.  Have them come up with questions, but feel free to get them started. 

What do you enjoy most about being a dad? 

What do you like the least? 

What’s the hardest part about being a dad? 

What’s your dad superpower? 

Why did you choose to become a dad?

How do you pray for each of us?

How can we make your job easier?

Have your grandchildren interview their mom. 

How do you and Dad work as a team when it comes to taking care of us?

What does Dad do well?

What do you see as his superpower? Does he know this?

How can we thank him?

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

Let’s encourage our grandkids to honor their dads. 

Prayer: Father God, thank You for fathers. As we esteem the dads in our lives, may we lead the grandkids in showing love, honor, and respect to those who care so much for them. Help them see the high calling of fatherhood. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Get creative. Don’t limit yourself to my ideas. Pray about it and see how God leads you, but don’t let the holiday go by without upholding the high calling of fatherhood. Celebrate!

Resources:

Interview sheet for Dad

Next week’s post: Help Your Grandchildren Transform, Not Conform.