Ways to Help Your Grandchildren Transform, Not Conform
Because our grandchildren are younger, when we’re hanging out together, we know we’ll probably color, pull out the Play-Doh, or be down on the floor with matchbox cars. Turns out Play-Doh and Transformers open the door for a lesson on Romans 12:2. If your grandchildren are older, don’t worry. This object lesson has great takeaways for the teen crowd too.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Paul warns us not to conform to the pattern of this world.
That’s a big ask.
Everything about our grandkids’ culture pushes them toward conformity.
Clothes.
Shoes.
Music and entertainment.
Until everyone looks alike, talks alike, and thinks alike.
Hmm, think the enemy has a strategy there?
Play-Doh illustrates this all too well. Press the Play-doh into a mold and out pops a replica.
But when everyone is the same, do we really need one more? The individual becomes dispensable. We see this in sports. One player goes down. Immediately, another takes his place. The person behind the position gets lost.
Thankfully, God’s not into that. He desires transformation.
But that change comes through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus deals with our sin and the Holy Spirit works our sanctification from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”
Transformer toys illustrate this beautifully. We start like a truck, but finish like a Transformer hero.
C. S. Lewis puts it this way, “God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind, but to produce a new kind of man. It is not like teaching a horse to jump better and better but like turning a horse into a winged creature.”
How do we transform? Paul tells us to renew the mind.
What renews our mind? God’s word. Regular Bible reading, memorization, and Bible study. And, if course, application.
The result? We “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
As children grow, they question.
What does God want?
What does God want from me?
And what does God want me to do? What’s my purpose?
Let’s take the first question: What does God want?
Relationship. He is a Father who wants His sons and daughters to come home.
Next, what does God want from me?
Relationship still, but even more, partnership. Discipleship. Now, we need a renewed mind so we can think and act like Him.
Finally, what does God want me to do? What’s my purpose?
Relationship and a renewed mind help us run our race. To fulfill our purpose. Our destiny. And what does our destiny look like? That can change with the seasons of life. Parenting. Career. Service. Whatever the season, be it retirement or kindergarten, God wants us to partner with Him in our work.
God also designs each person uniquely. Giftings, temperaments, variety in size, shape, and appearance. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” There are things that only you can do. And things only your grandchild can do.
Talk to the grandkids.
Are their minds being conformed or renewed? And how will they know? Do they look like, act like, talk like, think like everyone else?
Or are they transforming? Growing more like Jesus? Kind, compassionate, loving.
To help accelerate the process, team up with them to read Scripture (either together or simultaneously, where you both read the same passage and discuss it later). Ex. Teens can read one chapter of Proverbs every day for one month.
Or memorize verses. Give a reward for each verse learned and talk about how to apply it.
As they transform, they will discover His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Their renewed minds will align with God, rather than peer pressure. They will know their purpose, and you will see them thrive.
Relationship, renewal, and running the race. Where are the grandkids in the process?
How has your relationship with Christ made a difference in your life? What stories can you share?
When has Scripture made a difference in how you thought, spoke, and acted? Any verses that have special meaning to you?
Are you currently walking in your giftings? Or did your career reflect them? If you knew God’s will for your life, how did that impact you? I had a very clear calling to write. That calling sustained me through years, and I mean years, of learning the craft.
Let’s pray. Father God, may our grandchildren be transformed. Help them resist the pressure to conform. To be like everyone else. Mark them as Yours. Bring godly friends so they do not stand alone. We pray for good churches with active youth and children’s programs. And I pray that You would give us courage to step up and challenge our grandchildren to live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our grandchildren are under increasing pressure to conform. To culture. To the latest trends. To modern post-Christian thought. Let’s help them transform instead.
Better yet, let’s transform together.
Resources:
Memory Verses:
Next week’s post: Celebrating Faith, Freedom, and the Fourth of July with Your Grandchildren
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