Mark Gregston - Grandparenting Teens: Leaving a Legacy of Hope

Foreword by Bill & Gloria Gaither

Grandparenting Teens

Leaving a Legacy of Hope

Mark Gregston

I have known Mark for years, and I know that his heart and soul are all about helping families. Grandparenting Teens is a book full of life-changing stories that will inspire you to take an active approach in the lives of your grandchildren. Through these stories, Mark not only entertains readers but equips them with practical tips on how to be an involved grandparent.

Paul Overstreet, country music Hall of Famer

Mark does such an amazing job explaining and encouraging grandparents to take a more active role in the lives of our grandchildren. I truly believe that grandparents can make a profound difference in the lives of their grandchildren simply by being present and listening well.

Amy Grant, winner of six Grammys and twenty-two Dove Awards

Ive known Mark for over forty-six years! He has always had an ability to communicate truth in a winsome and honest way. Here, Mark has struck a chord once again! Let this honest and biblical truth and instruction flow into your heart!

Steve Largent, NFL Hall of Famer and U.S. Congressman

The best gift we can give our grandchildren is a meaningful relationship. Grandparenting Teens will make you laugh and encourage and equip you to love your grandchildren Gods way, giving you the confidence you need to be present and active in their lives.

Kirk Cameron, actor

Mark has written many wonderful books through the years, but none is as timely or important as this one. We all have a yearning, a wound inside us, to leave a mark on the world when our time on earth is through. Mark shows us how to leave it where it matters mostin the foundation of the family tree. Like bright sun and a gentle rain on the soil of our lives, Marks words and insight gives us what we need to grow deeper and stronger roots in our own often-withering branches. This isnt just a book for grandparents with teenage grandchildren. Its filled with humble wisdom on how to finish well, no matter the race youve been running. Mark has been a treasure to my family and countless others, and God-willing, if I get the chance to be a grandparent, his example will be my guiding light.

Rory Feek, songwriter and singer

This guy knows what hes talking about.

Chuck Swindoll, pastor and founder of Insight for Living Ministries

As a grandparent of fifteen grandchildren ages two to twenty-two, I could not have imagined how rewarding and fulfilling it is to get to participate in the spiritual, social, and emotional growth of our ever growing small village. Man, I love this game! But I need all the help I can get for this major call of duty. If there is anyone who knows more about pouring into kids of all ages than Mark Gregston, Ive yet to meet him. Marks latest book on grandparenting will undoubtedly make your adventure more filled with savvy and effectiveness while bringing an increase of wisdom to your fruit harvest on your beloved family tree.

Joe White, Kanakuk Kamp

The skills Mark teaches in this book are skills every grandparent should learn. From listening strategies to learning gratefulness, Marks focus remains on strengthening the bonds between grandparents and their grandchildren is simple, yet life-changing ways.

Alan Carter, director of the NBC hit TV show The Voice

Grandparenting Teens: Leaving a Legacy of Hope

2021 Mark Gregston

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version. 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ERV are from the Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), International Edition 2013, 2016 by Bible League International and used by permission.

Scriptures marked NCV are from the NEW CENTURY VERSION (NCV): Scripture taken from the NEW CENTURY VERSION. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version. Public domain.

Published by Forefront Books.

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, KerseyGraphics

Jacket design: Bruce Gore | Gore Studio, Inc.

Jacket photograph: Shutterstock / Simona Pilolla

ISBN: 978-1-63763-019-8 print

ISBN: 978-1-63763-020-4 e-book

To Jan, my wife, and the greatest grandmother I know.

Who would have ever thought that a first date in ninth grade to see a Led

Zeppelin concert would one day lead to us being together fifty-one years later and grandparents to four wonderful grandchildren: Maile, Macie, Chase, and Carter.

I n this, his newest book, Mark Gregston addresses a huge vacuum in family helpgrandparenting. For over forty years Mark and his wife, Jan, have been working with teenagers who are having a hard time navigating the rocky road of adolescence. As they state it, Our goal is to restore what is broken, redeem what is lost, and defend the defenseless. They have helped an army of parents rescue their kids.