A NEW GUIDE FOR GRANDPARENTS SHARING FAITH

A new practical guide is helping grandparents recognise the unique part they can play in sharing faith, building relationships and helping the next generation discover Jesus. 

Being a grandparent has made me realise just how much the little moments matter. A conversation in the car, answering an unexpected question, sharing a story or simply being there can become an opportunity to share something of our faith. 

But I'll be honest, knowing how to do that naturally isn't always easy. 

That's one of the things I particularly like about this new guide. It doesn't assume every family looks the same or that sharing faith is always straightforward.

Scripture Union's new Revealing Jesus as a Grandparent: A Practical Guide has been created to help.

Written by Sarah Holmes, Olly Goldenberg and Mark Griffiths, the guide brings together practical ideas, research and real-life experiences to help grandparents share faith naturally and intentionally, whatever their family circumstances.

Grandchildren need more than our presents. They need our presence.

FAITH CAN BE SHARED IN ORDINARY MOMENTS

You don't have to have all the answers.

And this is where the guide gets really practical.

It looks at those ordinary moments when faith can become part of family life, from reading a Bible story together or praying for something that's worrying them, to conversations with teenagers and keeping connected when you live miles apart.

It offers practical support for different ages and stages, from sharing Bible stories with young children and praying together to connecting with teenagers, navigating technology and responding when grandchildren have questions or doubts.

It also recognises that family life can be complicated. Distance, relationships with parents, different beliefs, additional needs and changing family circumstances can all affect the way grandparents are involved.

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, the guide helps grandparents think about what sharing faith could look like in their own situation.

WHERE IS YOUR GRANDCHILD ON THEIR JOURNEY?

At the heart of the guide is Scripture Union's Revealing Jesus approach, helping children and young people encounter Jesus in ways that are relevant to where they are on their faith journey.

There is no race through these stages. The guide encourages grandparents to recognise where their grandchild is and continue being a supportive presence throughout their journey.

GRANDPARENTING ISN'T ONLY ABOUT BIOLOGY

The guide also explores the important role of spiritual grandparents.

Older Christians can have a profound influence on children and young people beyond their biological family. Through friendship, encouragement, prayer, practical support and simply being present, they can become trusted people who help the next generation explore and grow in faith.

That means this guide isn't only for people with biological grandchildren. It can also encourage Christians considering the part they could play in the life and faith of a child or young person around them.

WHAT ABOUT WHEN FAMILY LIFE IS COMPLICATED?

Revealing Jesus as a Grandparent: A Practical Guide can be read from beginning to end or dipped into whenever a particular question or situation arises.

Topics include:

• understanding your grandchild's world
• sharing your own faith story
• faith across different generations
• technology and the digital world
• talking about God with children of different ages
• reading the Bible together
• praying for and with grandchildren
• responding to questions and doubts
• relationships with adult children
• navigating different beliefs
• building strong relationships
• spiritual grandparenting
• handling worry and guilt
• caring for yourself

Alongside practical ideas, the guide includes research, reflection questions and stories drawn from the experiences of Christian grandparents.

Your example to your grandchildren matters, and it can leave a lasting impact.

YOU HAVE A PART TO PLAY

Some grandparents see their grandchildren every week. Others live many miles apart. Some have opportunities to talk openly about faith, while others need to navigate family boundaries more carefully.

Whatever your circumstances, there can still be opportunities to listen, encourage, pray, share your story and reveal something of Jesus through the way you live.

Revealing Jesus as a Grandparent: A Practical Guide is here to help you recognise those opportunities and make the most of them.