Celebrate Faith, Freedom, and the 4th of July with Your Grandkids

The Fourth of July is coming! Are you ready? To bring Jesus into the conversation, I mean.

The Declaration of Independence declares: 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. 

Let’s explore life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and how we can use them as conversation starters with our grandchildren. 

First, life. 

I’m not talking about Billy Joel and a “My Life” mentality. 

For us as believers, the only true life is eternal life and that starts here and now.

John 17:3 says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” 

So how do we challenge our grandchildren to do life with God? 

Personal stories carry some weight here. 

Provision. Guidance. Purpose. Comfort. Beauty. 

For me, the more I partner with God in life, the more I see Him at work. Coincidence? No such thing. Provision supplied when I need it. The right people cross my path at just the right time. My time miraculously multiplies. I have calm in the midst of chaos. 

Do you have any stories you can share?

Of life before God versus life after you came to know Him? 

Times when your relationship of with God made a real difference in the circumstances you experienced? 

How does He make a difference in your everyday life? 

What does eternal life look like for you right now? 

How can it look for your grandkids? 

Next, liberty or freedom. 

Too often freedom is interpreted as licentiousness. Doing whatever we please. 

Scripture says a lot about freedom, but not that kind. Which of these verses resonate with you?

John 8:32, 36 read, ““Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

How? By the ability to discern the false from the true. A necessity today. 

Galatians 5:13 reads, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love.”

Indulging the flesh is a trap. Help the grandkids spot their bait. True freedom (and happiness) comes in the ability to say no, and to turn something more worthwhile. 

Psalm 119:37 says, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Preserve my life according to your word.” 

How can we help our grandchildren understand that discipline, self-control, and restraint are pluses, not negatives?

I used to run marathons. For me, training was critical. Long runs every weekend. Speedwork. Neither was fun. However, knowing I had put in the time and the miles helped me finish on race day. Training helped with nutrition too. Junk food doesn’t help performance. It became easy to say no. 

Lastly, the pursuit of happiness. 

So often, we Americans look to independence in our pursuit of happiness. 

But Scripture tells us something different. Our pursuit of happiness comes through dependence. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

John 15:5 says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 reads, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

 Our pursuit of happiness comes through our dependence on God. As we grow in our relationship with Him, He reveals our destiny, our purpose, which gives us happiness. Our pursuit of happiness is, in reality, our pursuit of Him. 

What has happened in your own life when you pursued God?

Do you have any stories you can tell about when you did depend on him, when you did abide in him, versus times that you didn’t?

Your testimony carries weight. God has given you a voice to influence future generations for good.

Speak.

Let’s pray: Father God, we find true life, true freedom, and true happiness in You. Steer our grandchildren away from what the culture offers and draw them to Yourself. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Show the grandkids what it’s really all about.

Next week’s post: Building Your Grandchild’s Faith at the Beach