Two for Grandpa!

My co-author, Rachael, and I were on a Zoom call with a book marketing expert, discussing how to market our upcoming Bible study, Unshakeable Teens. On the call, we discussed the value of having a face associated with the book that the teenagers would identify with. Our marketing friend said something along the lines of, “Sorry, Mike, but an old bald guy is not going to cut it.” She was saying it in jest but also to make a point. My feelings weren’t hurt, and we all laughed and continued our meeting.

My feelings are still not hurt, and I look forward to talking to her again about our Bible study. However, it did get me thinking. I agree with her on the marketing approach: my 75-year-old face (and bald head) will not be the drawing card to attract teens to learn more about following Christ. It might actually do the opposite. My face doesn’t need to be on billboards trying to draw teenagers to the Lord.

A question occurred to me as I began reflecting more on this beyond the marketing aspect. Are there any teenagers who would see me as one of the people who might point them to Christ? Am I someone they would know as the person who loves them and loves Christ? I have at least two such teenagers in my life. My 19-year-old grandson and 15-year-old granddaughter. They have known me all their lives. They trust and love me and know I am a committed follower of Christ. My goal has always been to be ready and willing to share about my faith and to live in a way that allows them to see Jesus through me. Hopefully, my wife, Pat, and I do a good job supplementing what their parents are teaching.

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children. (Deuteronomy 4:9)

No matter what role you play in a teen’s life, there are a few things you can do to help them along their journey. As a grandparent, I make sure to pray for my children who are raising children. With everything happening in the world, parents have a tough job. If you are a parent, ask others to pray for your children. You can also seek advice from other Christ followers who have experienced raising teenagers. Lastly, and most importantly, seek God’s wisdom through reading His Word, the Bible!

We will discuss the parent’s role more in the future. However, the rest of this blog post will be for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other extended family members. These are family members who not only deeply love the child but also love the Lord and want the child to grow up having a true relationship with Him. Our prayer is that one day, these children in our lives will be able to claim 2 Timothy 3:14-15 and reflect on who the role models were in their lives and what they taught them about Jesus.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

A key question for us is when and how we should witness to them. As far as when, the younger, the better! My wife and I have prayed with and for them since early in our grandchildren's lives. We spent time talking about Jesus and provided Bible storybooks to read with them, and we attended church with them and their parents when we had the opportunity to. Hopefully, they saw a Christ-like example in us. As the saying goes, “Little pitchers have big ears.” They’ll see how you live out what you teach them. Do you gossip? Do you cut people down? Do you curse? Do you look like the world, or do you consistently stand for the God of the Bible?

When kids become teenagers, relationships change. Often, the thought of witnessing to teenagers can make us hesitant or discouraged because we struggle to understand them. The Bible tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” The teen years can be challenging and erratic as these are the years they start changing significantly. It would be easy for us to fall into the trap of worrying and fretting about the salvation of those teenagers we love so dearly. We must believe that God will have His hand on them and that they’ll carry the things they were taught about Him growing up. Seeing you honor Christ in your responses when they act out will be important to them, even if they don’t realize it right now!

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

My grandchildren are outstanding. However, our times together are definitely different than when they were young. Looking back on pictures of them when they were younger got me remembering things they said about me when they were in grade school. I’m providing five things they said at one time or another when they were younger. I’m also providing five things I think they would say now based on my recent experience with them.

Grade School – He’s funny; we have a good time fishing; I like to sing with him and laugh together; he loves me, and he really loves Jesus.

Teens – He’s corny; I fish with him occasionally to make him happy; if he tries to sing with me and act goofy, I’m leaving; he loves me, and he still loves Jesus.

I have to admit that I miss my fishing buddies. However, it probably wouldn’t surprise you that the two statements I’m most interested in are “he loves me” and “he still loves Jesus.” The initial idea of writing Unshakeable Teens came to me because of them. My love for them, the crazy world we live in, and my love for Jesus was the start of the plan to write some kind of message for them. Then Rachael came along, and it was an immense joy to realize I would be able to write for all teenagers. This also allowed me to work directly with my grandchildren. With a bit of coaxing and bribery, they both got involved. Their involvement was a little slow at first. But then there were signs of interest as they asked significant questions about God. Some of the questions in the Q&A sections of our book, Unshakeable Teens, came from my granddaughter.

I wasn’t sure my 19-year-old grandson would read the draft and give me feedback. The next thing I knew, he started giving me comments. Lots of comments. At the end of the fourth and final week, he wrote, “I’m proud of you, Grandpa.” I will treasure that comment for the rest of my days. Even though he might not understand everything, he is interested and on board with me continuing to talk with him about Jesus. I hope they will go through the four-week study with me again once it’s published. And I hope we can talk even more about the beauty of the Lord.

Bible Study for Teenagers, releasing this summer!

You don’t have to write a book to get your loved one’s attention. What is specific about your relationship that could bring you together to discuss the wonders of God? Even if there are awkward moments at first, your presence and effort in their lives are important. Our Bible study, Unshakeable Teens (coming soon), is a good starting place to help build that foundation with them. You can sign up for our newsletter for more information about when the study will be published!

I want to leave you with this reminder: God is not done with you. You are never too old to impact the lives of the younger generations in your life. They look up to you and will appreciate the wisdom and guidance you have to offer.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. (Psalm 103:17-18)