Biblical Grandparenting: Exploring God's Design, Culture's Messages and Disciple-Making Methods to Pass Faith to Future Generations

Grandparenting Matters

by Josh Mulvihill

What is the role of a grandparent? While the world tells you its time to retire and relax, you have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your grandchildren and leave a lasting heritage for your family that will bless generations to come.

Biblical Grandparenting explains culture's misleading messages about grandparenting, provides a biblical overview of the role of grandparents, and shares groundbreaking research that will give you a vision to impact the next generation for Christ. In addition, you will be given practical methods to disciple your grandchildren and navigate your place in the family.

You are needed as a grandparent--and not simply as a babysitter or a playmate. If you want to care for your grandchildren, give them something that will truly last: a firm spiritual foundation and a close personal relationship they will cherish forever. Discover how in Biblical Grandparenting.

Genres: Parenting

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2016

About the author

Josh Mulvihill is the executive director of church and family ministry at Renewanation, which trains children to develop a biblical worldview. He has also served as a pastor for nearly twenty years and is a founding member of the Legacy Coalition and Roots Kids Worship. He is the author of Biblical Grandparenting and the Rooted Kids curriculum and is the editor of Equipping Grandparents. Josh is married to Jen, and they have five children.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Christian grandparent, the title of this book immediately caught my eye. I've read various articles on grandparenting and many books on relationships in general, but nothing on Biblical grandparenting. The author begins with a brief overview of grandparenting, citing numerous Scripture passages, and what they say on the matter. He then proceeds to contrast the Biblical view of grandparenting to the viewpoint of American society, which is far different. He offers a brief history of grandparenting in America, then describes in detail the shortcomings of the current cultural perspective. He closes by presenting discipleship methods that grandparents can use to fulfill their Biblical role of influencing their grandchildren for salvation and growth in Christ.
Throughout the book, the author shares the findings of surveys of evangelical grandparents. It's concerning how few of them are aware of the Biblical model. Instead, the goal of most relationships is something other than a legacy of inspiration, evangelism, and discipleship. I recommend this book highly to all grandparents and others who desire an understanding of what the Scriptures have to say on the subject.

[Becky Williamson-Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned what the Bible says about my responsibility as grandparent. God has a responsibilitiy for each role of the family and I was neglecting some of His mandates. I’m thankful Josh Mulvihill follows his calling and did all the research for grandparents. And he is right, this subject needs to be taught in our churches

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written as a thesis (so not as fun to read- more academically structured as research, but research was limited). It was still worth reading to consider the Biblical role of grand-parenting vs. a cultural role of grand-parenting. Helps define roles instead of looking to culture or personal examples. It also might help in having better boundaries since roles are more defined.

[Louis Prontnicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part one was very helpful, but the remainder of the book was very much like you would expect from a practical dissertation. The sample size of 25 families was too small to make meaningful conclusions. I wanted this book to be more prescriptive rather than descriptive.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scripture says far more than we might assume about being a grandparent. Lots of helpful direction here on the promises to and role of grandparents.

[Pepper Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

good info-practical, research based. Helpful as a new grand parent. I’ll share this. Title with others in the coming days.

[Lisa Horne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of data...not practical

[Alisha Preheim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A data driven book with no practicality. It is sad that many of the grandparents interviewed did not see a need to model Christ or share the gospel with their grandchildren.

[Donna Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Surprising that more books haven't been written on this topic. My Grandchildren are my World and I want to help them grow in all aspects of their life.

[Shirley Brosius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Josh Mulvilhill interviewed 25 evangelical grandparents from five different states to discover how they saw their role of grandparent and how they influenced the spiritual development of their grandchildren. Surprisingly, only 24 percent of those interviewed saw themselves as having a responsibility to influence their grandchildren’s spirituality.

Despite the Bible clearly stating that older people are to teach the younger, most of those interviewed saw themselves simply as encouragers, supporters or loving friends to their grandchildren. They were content to let parents and Sunday schools do the job of molding the faith of their offspring.

Biblical Grandparenting is divided into four parts: Getting Started, God’s Design, Culture’s Messages and Discipleship Methods. I liked the book’s charts, which summarize chapter findings, such as “The Culture’s View of Grandparenting,” “A Brief History of Grandparenthood in America” and “Discipling Grandchildren.” Some listings include responses of parents identified by first names.

A most valuable chapter offers eight spiritual practices to impact grandchildren, such as asking questions and blessing them verbally. These practices would, in fact, be helpful to parents as well as grandparents.

Mulvihill wrote this book as a doctoral thesis, but it is most readable. He summarizes his research results in a final chapter and challenges pastors and church leaders to do more to equip grandparents to take their biblical role in passing on the faith.

Appendixes list the interview questions Mulvihill used along with summaries of demographic data. And the book includes extensive notes and bibliography.

If you’re a grandparent, this book is for you. Grandchildren grow up before you know it, and the time to touch their lives for Christ is now.