Endorsements
There is no more loving or sacred role than that of being a godly grandparent to the children entrusted to your family. To a child, no one is wiser or stronger than Grandpa. No heart is more loving, or lap quite so cozy, as Grandmas. Nothing is closer to the heart of God or more central to the priorities of His Kingdom than the calling of bringing the little ones to Him. And nobody can do it quite like you, through your unique relationshipthis book shows you how!
Dr. Wess Stafford, president emeritus, Compassion International, and author of Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matter Most and Just a Minute: In the Heart of a Child, One Moment Can Last Forever
One of the questions I often receive from grandparents is Do you have a good resource with lots of practical ideas for how to be intentional grandparents? Well, now we do. In this book, Josh, Jen, and Linda offer you a bounty of rich ideas any grandparent can do. Now that this book is in print, there are no excuses, Grandma and Grandpa. This is a treasure trove of ideas that will revolutionize how you grandparent and the impact you will have on your grandchildren. I cant wait to see the fruit that comes from grandparents putting these ideas into practice.
Cavin Harper, founder, Christian Grandparenting Network
Discipling Your Grandchildren is timed perfectlyjust as those of us in the baby boomer generation are struggling to learn how best to grandparent, a prophetic voice from Generation X is rising up and calling us to be more than occasionally there. Dr. Josh Mulvihills strong biblical foundation and groundbreaking research makes this book the thought leader in Christian grandparenting today. Every one of the 30 million Christian grandparents in America should have a copy of this inspiring book in their homes. Every church should have it available in their library. Discipling Your Grandchildren should be preached from our pulpits, read in our small groups, gratefully taken to heart, and then acted upon. I highly recommend this awesome book.
Valerie Bell, Awana CEO
You love your grandkids. Obviously! This book will help turn your love into Gospel-driven action. God has chosen you to be a grandparent for a reason. He has a call on your life to help those precious ones to know, love, and follow Jesus. The book you hold in your hands right now will equip you, encourage you, and give you practical ways to build strong relationships with your grandkids so that they might build strong relationships with God.
Dr. Rob Rienow, founder, Visionary Family Ministries, www.VisionaryFam.com
Discipling Your Grandchildren provides a valuable and practical blueprint, is easy to follow, full of wisdom, and includes a multitude of activities that will forever impact your relationship with your grandchildren, and together your relationship in Christ. It is a must read for intentional Christian grandparents. Your life and the lives of your grandchildren will be truly blessed! The activities, which correspond to carrying out our mission as grandparents, are clearly mapped out and provide a broad approach to engage grandchildren and great-grandchildren of all ages. There is nothing this comprehensive available. The creative and easily understood activities identified throughout the book will impact how grandparents truly become intentional Christian grandparents.
Dr. Vicki L. Rueckert, grandparent, educator, and Timberline Grandparent Ministries Director
I often receive emails from grandparents who are seeking advice on how to be a stronger spiritual influence in the lives of their grandkids. I always point them to Josh Mulvihills excellent resources! Discipling Your Grandchildren in particular is a virtual treasure trove of godly and practical ideas for creating a deeper spiritual connection with grandchildren. If you sometimes find yourself wondering what more you can do to help your grandkids know and love the Lord, this is the book you need!
Natasha Crain, national speaker, blogger, and author of Keeping Your Kids on God s Side and Talking with Your Kids about Jesus
Are you looking for practical ideas on how to be more intentional in impacting your grandchildren for Gods glory and their good? Discipling Your Grandchildren is an open treasure box, inviting grandparents to reach in for creative ways to nurture their relationships with the next generations for the sake of the Christ. Your children and grandchildren will be thankful that youve read this book and applied its God-honoring, Gospel-motivated ideas. Enjoy!
Larry E. McCall, author of Grandparenting with Grace: Living the Gospel with the Next Generation
Titles in the G RANDPARENTING M ATTERS Series
Equipping Grandparents
Biblical Grandparenting
Grandparenting
Grandparenting DVD
Long-Distance Grandparenting
Overcoming Grandparenting Barriers
Discipling Your Grandchildren
Title Page
Copyright Page
2020 by Josh Mulvihill
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019953220
ISBN 978-1-4934-2830-4
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations identified A M P C are from the Amplified Bible (AMPC), copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations identified K J V are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations identified N I V 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. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Cover design by Dan Pitts
Josh Mulvihill is represented by William Denzel.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Titles in the Grandparenting Matters Series
Title Page
Copyright Page
Foreword by Wess Stafford
Introduction
1. What Does the Bible Say about Grandparenting?
Five Characteristics of a Disciple-Making Grandparent
2. Gifts, Encouragement, and Prayer
Gift Giving Ten Graduation Gift Ideas The Gift of a Bible Connect through Texts Build Your Grandchilds Library of Good Books Books to Give and Enjoy Together Giving Gifts of Experiences Journaling Together Praying for Each Other Thirty Scriptures to Pray for Your Children and Grandchildren
3. Intentional Meals
Long-Distance Dinners Bake a Simple Recipe Two Different Ways Checklist for Successful Mealtimes with Small Children Practice Mealtime Manners with a Tea Party Learn about Missions by Enjoying an Ethnic Dinner Preparing Dinner with Bible Ingredients Thanking Parents with a Dinner
4. Teaching Gods Word and Telling Gods Work
Disciple Grandchildren Using a Good Book Wonderful Things in Gods Word Utilize Your Skills by Teaching What You Know Participate in Education Being a Good Friend Teaching Biblical Manhood to Boys Go on a Virtual Tour of Israel Take Notes in Church Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count Biblical Worldview Detector Tell about Past Generations Share Your Faith Story