What Legacy Are You Leaving for Your Grandchildren?
As I rock my youngest granddaughter to sleep, humming “Jesus Loves Me,” I’m struck by the weight of Deuteronomy 4:9: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Legacy isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a biblical mandate. With seven grandkids ranging from teens to toddlers, I’ve learned that leaving a Godly legacy isn’t about perfection. It’s about intentionally weaving Scripture into everyday moments. Here’s how I’m striving to do it—and how you can too.
1. “Train Up a Child” Starts With Being Present (Proverbs 22:6)
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” But how do we “train” grandkids who live states away or get distracted by screens?
When my grandkids lived 1,000 miles away, I felt powerless—until God reminded me of 2 Timothy 1:5: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois…” Timothy’s faith was shaped by a grandma who showed up. So I started mailing handwritten Bible verses with stickers. My 6-year-old grandson texted me a photo of Psalm 119:105 on his nightstand: “Your word is a lamp for my feet!”
My action: Every Wednesday, we do “Zoom Devos”—10 minutes of Bible trivia, prayer requests, and sharing where we saw God that week. Last month, my 14-year-old granddaughter said, “Grandma, I think God sent that rainbow after Papa’s surgery to remind us He keeps promises!” (Genesis 9:13).
2. Faith Lives in Stories—Not Just Sermons (Psalm 78:4)
Psalm 78:4 urges us: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord…” But let’s be real—kids glaze over at lectures.
One summer, my grandsons argued nonstop. Instead of scolding, I told them about Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery (Genesis 37). “But Grandma,” my 9-year-old gasped, “God fixed it, right?” We discussed Romans 8:28 together: “God works for the good of those who love Him.” Now when they fight, they’ll say, “Let’s not be like Joseph’s brothers!”
My hack: Keep a “Faith Jar” filled with prompts:
- “Tell about a time God answered prayer”
- “What’s your favorite ‘God moment’ this week?”
- “Share a Bible hero who messed up but God still used”
3. Teach Skills Anchored in Scripture (Colossians 3:23)
My grandpa taught me to garden using Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There’s a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Now, when I teach my grandkids to cook, we talk about 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory.”
Last winter, my 12-year-old grandson struggled with math. We baked cookies while discussing the 12 disciples and Jesus feeding 5,000 (John 6:1-13). “See how Jesus used a boy’s small lunch? He can multiply your efforts too.” Two weeks later, he texted: “Got a B+! Prayed like we did with the cookies!”
My rule: Pair practical skills with a Bible principle:
- Budgeting allowance? “Honor God with your wealth” (Proverbs 3:9)
- Planting flowers? “Consider the lilies—God clothes them” (Luke 12:27)
- Apologizing? “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13)
4. Turn Family History Into God’s Story (Joshua 4:6-7)
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, God commanded them to stack stones as a reminder: “In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them…” (Joshua 4:6-7). Our family stories are modern-day “stones.”
I showed my grandkids my childhood Bible—the one my mom gave me when I survived polio. Inside, she’d written Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you.” We talked about how God healed me, then prayed for my grandson’s friend with cancer. Months later, he told me, “I read Isaiah to Jake when he’s scared. Like you did.”
My project: Create a “Faith Heritage” scrapbook:
- Photos of ancestors at church
- Baptism certificates with dates/verses
- Testimonies of answered prayers
5. Pray Scripture Over Them—Out Loud (Numbers 6:24-26)
My grandmother prayed the Aaronic blessing over me nightly: “The Lord bless you and keep you…” (Numbers 6:24-26). Now, I text voice memos praying Scripture over my grandkids:
- Before tests: “God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear, but power” (2 Timothy 1:7)
- After breakups: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18)
- For courage: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid!” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
When my teenage granddaughter faced bullying, I wrote her a letter with Ephesians 6:10-18 about the armor of God. She texted later: “Wore the ‘belt of truth’ today—told the truth about what happened. Thanks, Grandma.”
6. Model Grace, Not Perfection (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I used to hide my mistakes—until my 7-year-old granddaughter caught me yelling at a reckless driver. Mortified, I apologized and shared 2 Corinthians 12:9: “God’s power is made perfect in weakness.” Now, when I mess up, I say: “Grandma needs Jesus’ help too. Let’s ask Him together.”
Last Easter, I burned the ham and cried. My grandson hugged me and said, “It’s okay, Grandma. Jesus turned water into wine—He can fix dinner!” (John 2:1-11). We ordered pizza and laughed about Martha’s kitchen stress in Luke 10:38-42.
My mantra: “Let your grandchildren see you repent, not pretend.”
7. Prepare Them for Battle (Ephesians 6:4)
Culture wars rage around our kids. My job? To equip them like Proverbs 22:3 advises: “The prudent see danger and take refuge.”
When my 16-year-old grandson asked about transgender issues, we read Genesis 1:27: “God created male and female.” Then we discussed how to love others while standing firm, using Jesus’ example with the Samaritan woman (John 4). “Truth and grace,” he summarized. “Got it.”
My tool: Arm them with apologetics:
- For doubters: Share Thomas’ story (John 20:24-29)
- For anxiety: Teach Philippians 4:6-7 prayer journaling
- For persecution: Role-play Shadrach’s courage (Daniel 3:16-18)
Your Legacy Starts Today
As I write this, my 4-year-old grandson just asked, “Grandma, will you be in heaven with me?” Tears filled my eyes as I quoted Revelation 21:4: “‘He will wipe every tear.’ Yes, baby—we’ll be with Jesus forever.”
That’s the legacy that matters: Not money or fame, but grandchildren who know Christ and walk with Him. As Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts.”
So bake those cookies. Mail those verses. Pray those messy prayers. Our time with them is fleeting—but eternity? That’s the legacy we’re really building.
