How to Share Your Faith When Jesus is Off Limits

We love our grandchildren and we want them to know Jesus. 

But our child and/or their spouse does not walk with Jesus and have declared Him off limits. What do we do? 

We build a track record of Christlike behavior and explain the why behind it.  

1. Share Your Faith Through Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 reads, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

This verse completes the armor of God passage and that’s no coincidence. Unbelief is a warfare issue, so let’s deal with it accordingly. Pray for God to soften hearts. To heal wounds. To bring forgiveness and reconciliation where needed. We may need to apologize for past wrongs and to ask for forgiveness. Let’s do it. Time is short. Let’s not waste it nursing offenses. 

Pray for the Holy Spirit to birth new life in our grandchildren and in any other family members who don’t know Jesus yet. 

Let’s ask our kids and our grandkids for their prayer needs. Rarely will an unbeliever turn down prayer, though we may get an eyeroll. Shake it off. It’s key that they know we’re praying for them. Follow up. (See Episode 7: Intercessory Prayer)

2. Share Your Faith Through Connection 

Connect through texts, emails, cards, calls, letters, FaceTime, whatever. Just do it! And let’s make it fun too. In his book, Long-Distance Grandparenting, Wayne Rice recommends customizing an avatar or your signature. I love that! 

One creative set of long-distance grandparents even made photo books with the following titles: A Day in the Life of GG and Granddad, GG and Granddad’s City, GG and Granddad Go to Church. What a great way to introduce the grandchildren to their world.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death,” so let’s get busy speaking life!

3. Share Your Faith as Role Models 

Matthew 5:16 reads, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

Practice servant leadership. Don’t be a doormat. Let’s set boundaries where needed but help when and where we can. 

And when we’re with the grandchildren, let’s take the opportunity to show Christlike behavior in what we say and do. Charity work. Random acts of kindness.  Even making (or bringing) soup to our sick kids while we’re taking care of the grandkids. Giving old clothes to Goodwill or dropping cash into a Salvation Army bucket. All of these offer a chance to talk about what we are doing and why.

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 

Keep that ready answer short and sweet. No need for a sermon. Hopefully, more questions will follow. 

4. Share Your Faith Through Film and Literature

I’ll talk about this more in coming episode. Don’t skip this one. Not only does this give us another way to connect, quality fiction, notice how I qualified that statement, brims with biblical principles. An abundant supply exists for all ages, boys and girls, but we’ll need to vet it. What were your favorites as a child? Is there a film version you can share? Everyone loves a good story and the right story sneaks in character-building values and virtues. 

Bottom line? Here’s our goal. That after time with us, the grandkids know:

·      My grandparents listen. 

·      They know me. 

·      They love me. No matter what. 

·      They don’t judge me—or my parents. 

·      They are trustworthy. 

·      I can talk to them about anything. 

Let’s pray: Father God, we pray for our unbelieving family members. Soften hearts and open doors. Help us to persevere as You work. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Prayer. Connection. Role Models. Film and literature. Let’s use them to build a bridge when Jesus is off limits. 

Then be ready for the questions to come. 

Resources:

Long-Distance Grandparenting by Wayne Rice

The Christian Grandparenting Podcast: Episode 7: Intercessory Prayer

Coming soon! Episode 34: Building Character in Your Grandchildren with Children’s Literature

Next week’s post: Discover Your Grandparent Superpowers.