My wife and I recently became grandparents. A grandson was born in May and then another in June. While neither lives close to us, these births have occasioned much joy and gladness. It has also given us reason to pause and ask, What is our role as grandparents? How can we be most helpful to our children as they raise their sons? How can we bear fruit in the next generation?

Grandchildren are a gift from the Lord. They are evidence of His blessing and a reason to give thanks. One way to be a fruitful grandparent is to give thanks for those lives. Incidentally, it also shows God’s favor that one has lived long enough to see succeeding generations. That’s the prayer at the end of Psalm 128, “May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!” The Bible also states, “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged” (Prov. 17:6). These grandchildren provide occasion to give thanks, but not to boast. Grandchildren are a gift of God’s grace, not reasons to brag. Give thanks for life—your own and theirs.

Another way to be a fruitful grandparent is to leave a legacy. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous” (Prov. 13:22). The proverb itself is speaking about money. It costs money to rear children. Inflation makes that cost even greater. So share your wealth. If you have extra money, buy clothing. Fill the pantry. Spring for that new bed. My own children were greatly blessed by their maternal grandparents in this regard when they were young, and we had little. But for Christian grandparents, there’s much more to this proverb. Give an inheritance of lasting spiritual value. This is the true wealth. This will produce fruit for eternity.

The story of the Exodus, for example, was to be repeated. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord” (Exod. 10:1–2). In other words, tell the gospel to your grandchildren. Tell them of your “exodus”—how you yourself came to faith in Jesus. Share with them what great things God has done for you. If your grandchildren’s parents (your children) are believers, confirm what your grandsons and granddaughters are hearing from their parents and their church.

Tell them what it means to improve their baptism. You can look that up in the Westminster Larger Catechism, question #167. Your grandchildren’s baptism calls them to faith and repentance. It calls them to follow Jesus, to die to sin and live to righteousness, and to walk by faith. Take the opportunity to reinforce this whenever you can. Paul’s young friend Timothy had such a legacy. Although his father was Greek, his mother and grandmother were Jewish believers. They played no small part in Timothy’s conversion. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:5).

From childhood, Timothy was faithfully taught the Scriptures by these two women. Be Lois to your own grandchildren. Be Lois to children in your congregation whose physical grandparents live far away. I’m sure there are parents who would welcome your presence.

As you give thanks for your grandchildren, pray for them often and regularly. If you can, pray with them. Even if they live at a distance, call them and pray with and for them over the phone. The technology is available; use it. Grandchildren will be blessed to hear their grandparents pray for them.

Finally, consider taking grandchildren to family camp or a Reformed Presbyterian International Conference. Maybe their parents can’t afford to take time away from work, but maybe you can. I’ve witnessed that in other families, and, just after our grandsons were born, my wife said she’s looking forward to taking them to camp when they’re old enough. Be a presence in their lives for good, and so may Psalm 92:14 be true of you: “They still bear fruit in old age.”