Written by Deb del Villar, Director of Communications
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and his mighty wonders.” – Psalm 78:4
Psalm 78 is a review of the history of Israel, stressing that these lessons should be taught by faithful Israelite parents to their children. It is a record of forgetfulness, faithlessness, foolishness, and failure on the part of Israel. Yet God remained faithful to them through it all. But Psalm 78 isn’t just historical—it’s also instructive.
As grandparents, we need to pass along what we have heard, seen, and known of the glorious deeds of the LORD. We need to proclaim His power, mighty wonders, and words. Psalm 78 emphasizes both protecting the future by understanding the past and appreciating the present. We will focus on protecting the future – Legacy Coalition’s mission is “that our grandchildren and their grandchildren follow Christ.”
Forgetting and Remembering
The Bible tells believers to remember, lest they forget all that God has done for them. What does it mean to forget? The dictionary meaning is to lose the remembrance of, to be unable to think of or recall, to treat with inattention or disregard, or to give up hope for or expectation of. This is pretty serious – especially when it comes to God and all He has done for us. May we never forget, always remember, and pass along this idea of remembering.
In our hope that our grandchildren and their grandchildren will not forsake the Lord but follow Him wholeheartedly, there are things we want them to remember. The concept of “remember” in the Bible carries significant theological and practical implications, often serving as a call to recall God’s past actions, commandments, and promises.
The act of remembering is not merely a mental exercise but a spiritual discipline that reinforces faith, obedience, and worship. Remembrance is an act of worship and trust, reinforcing the believer’s reliance on God’s past faithfulness as assurance for the future.
We desire our grandchildren to trust the Lord no matter what may come, because they have heard, seen, and known that God is faithful. So how do we teach them to remember?
Remembrance is a discipline that can be cultivated through regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and participation in communal worship. Maybe your grandchild is going through a hard time finding a good friend. Share with them a story about Jonathan and David, and discuss the qualities of a good friend. Yet also comfort them by sharing that God is a friend Who is always there and can always be counted on. Share your experiences, too, where you trusted God in a difficult circumstance and found Him faithful. May these times of sharing come naturally, following the model of Deuteronomy 6.
Unpacking Psalm 78
Verse one of Psalm 78 starts with a willingness to listen and learn. It is as if the psalmist is saying, “Listen up—this is important!” What is so important? God is going to speak, and we desire that none of His words escape, but are heard and heeded. It is the idea of an earnest, submitted mind and heart eager to obey.
Verse three tells us that it is a solemn obligation of us, grandparents, the previous generation, to pass along the truths that we have heard to the next generation. We are to tell it, not hide it. One of the first songs I sang after becoming a believer was “Pass it On.” It is still one of my all-time favorites. A previous pastor of mine said that there is one thing we will do better here than we will do in heaven – witnessing to the lost.
Grandparent, are you ready to shout it from the mountain top or say it softly to a snuggling grandchild in your lap—“the Lord of love has come to me”. William Gurnall said, “Children are our heirs—just think, generations from now they could be praising God on earth while you are praising Him in heaven.” I don’t know about you, but that brings goosebumps to me.
As you tell of God’s wonders, words, ways, and will, your grandchildren will know more of God, which will make it easier for them to spot Satan and his tricks. The Jewish rabbis speak of a very strict custom and method for the instruction of their children, according to their age and capacity. At five years old, they were sons of the law, and the focus was on reading. At 13, they were sons of the precept, focusing on understanding the law. At 15, they were Talmudists, going into deeper points of the law, even Talmudic doubts.
As grandparents, we can follow this same general pattern. When they are young, read them the Bible and sing songs of the Bible. As teenage years approach, help them to understand the teachings. Consider giving them a study Bible, concordance, or dictionary. Show them how to use online resources. When they start asking the tough questions, listen, guide, and assist them as they research and explore their doubts. Guide them in grasping the idea of fearing the Lord. While there are lots of things we can do, the one thing we cannot do is be silent.
This psalm goes on to speak of four generations – that is a lasting legacy. Verses 5-7 state why telling the next generation is a command and not a suggestion. That the generation(s) to come might also know the Lord and place their confidence in Him.
So, are you proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, magnifying His name, sharing His great might and power with your grandchildren? How are you using Scripture, prayer, and communal worship?
National Blessing Day
Here is one way you can be involved as a community or individual to tell the next generation. Are you familiar with the National Blessing Day on the Sunday before Thanksgiving? It can help ensure that every one of your grandchildren knows how valuable and loved they are to you and to God. This is one of the truths we want our grandchildren to know, embrace, and live their lives in light of.
It is a day where churches focus on renewing family bonds and deepening faith within homes through the power of The Blessing. It is not an event, but a national movement meant to foster faith, deep connection, security, and a sense of purpose within our families. It flows from the five essential elements present in The Biblical Blessing, which are appropriate, meaningful touch, affirming spoken word, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an unwavering, genuine commitment to relationships within your family.
There are wonderful resources available for your church here. Resources like the Church Leaders Guide make it easy and attainable to have a successful, low-stress day. There are step-by-step instructions, videos, a sermon outline, and a children and youth guide, as well as promotional materials. Exclusive resources are available to help maximize the long-term impact. Be sure to check out the resources and sign up today.
Additionally, there are resources for individual grandparents here. Grandchildren need to know they are deeply loved by you AND by God. Spiritual tools, support, and inspiration are ready and available to help you as you bless your grandchildren and build a legacy that will endure through the generations. There is a guide to help you plan and execute the day. There are blessing activities for younger and older grandchildren that can be used throughout the year. Sample blessings are also included to get you started. Be sure to check out the videos as well.
Conclusion
As you look forward to getting together with family over the holidays, consider the ways you can tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and His mighty wonders. Additionally, consider giving each child and grandchild The Blessing. It will be a memorable time to etch deeply in their hearts how much you AND God love them.
