Teaching Your Children and Grandchildren To Trust God

God presents many opportunities for teaching our grandchildren. If we listen, He will let us know when to share. When He gives you the opportunity, don’t waste it, Take It!

In the height of  the 2020  pandemic, my daughter came down with Covid-19. We took all precautions and quarantined her. After things were settled I searched and found my granddaughter in her tent crying.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Tears rushed down her face, “No, Papa.”

“Come sit with me,” I said.

She climbed out of her tent and crawled into my lap. She looked up at me and asked, “Is Mommy going to die?”

The Coronavirus Virus has been frightening. It’s hard for small children to understand it all. It’s hard enough for adults to understand it. Kids only know that there is fear in the air and that people are dying. They don’t know what to do with their feelings. Even when we try to settle their little minds, uncertainty lingers. What are we dads and grandfathers to do when one of our grandchildren ask us about this virus, or any other life threatening disease?

Remember, these are God’s precious children. Ours, too! He has given them to us to teach about His love. Take this opportunity to hold them in your arms and share from your heart, and from scripture.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14

In your own words use this scripture to remind them how special they are. That God smiled while He formed them especially for Mom and Dad. I tell my grown children, and now my grandchildren, that I thank God they are mine. I am thankful God gave them to me to love. Do you know what an honor it is to love you? You were given to Mom and Dad so that I could share in their special joy.

 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
 I will be with him in trouble;
 I will rescue him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

 Present God as only you can, in a loving way. When we call on God He will answer us. God tells us not to be anxious but when we are, we should pray (Philippians 4:6). And that when we pray, and believe, he will give to us what we request (John 14:13). The reason He will answer our prayers is because He loves us. He wants what is best so that our joy may be full. When our joy is full, God is glorified (John 16: 24).

 God wants us to share our fears with Him (Psalm 34:3-4 TLB). Once you have shared about prayer, ask your grand if they would like to pray. They may say, “No,” and that’s okay. Even if they do pray, ask if it’s okay if you pray. Pray a child like prayer from your heart. When we do this, we are teaching them why and how to pray.

 This is the confidence, which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14

 Discuss how to trust God. He has assured us that when we pray he will answer our prayer. Did you know that we can trust God to keep His word and answer our prayer? God is faithful. There are so many verses about God’s faithfulness but lets keep it simple.

 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

What does it mean to be faithful? It means what He says, He will do it. It’s that simple. Scripture tells us it is, “. . . impossible for God to lie . . .” (Hebrews 6:18). He is worthy to be trusted.

Therefore, we believe Jesus is faithful when He said, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22). Ask you child, “Can we trust God to answer our prayer?” Shake their hand and hold it. “Let’s trust and claim these promises together!”

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

Lastly, teach your grandchild to be thankful to God. Pray and thank Him in advance for his promise kept.

Thank Him together. Don’t forget to praise his name and acknowledge Him before, and when the answer comes.

Use this opportunity as a stepping-stone for the future, to pray with them over all things in their lives.

 Grandpa, Dad, congratulations! You have taught your child, or grandchild, how important they are to God and to you. They have learned the importance of believing, praying, claiming God’s promises, trusting His word, and thankfulness. You taught them!

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 Andy Oldham is the founder and co-creator of Christian Grandfather Magazine. He received his B.A. in religious studies and education from Anderson University. He has served as pastor to senior adults, and fills pulpits when needed. Andy taught memoir classes at the local library and after writing his personal memoirs wrote Everlasting Cronies. His column in the Northside Sun Newspaper was well received by his community. A poem, Winters Grace has been honored by the Mississippi Poetry Society. He and his wife, Barbara, enjoy retirement in Madison, Mississippi.

Photograph by Towfiqu Barbhuyia used with permission