ALIVE: A TWELVE WEEK BIBLE STUDY FOR GRANDPARENTS

Hi Grandparents,

Over the next twelve weeks, I want to share (daily—honest, I’m going to try--you can pray for me) a Bible Study for Grandparents that I have written. Below is a summary of what to expect if you decide to accompany me on this journey. While it may not be easy to do a study via a blog, let’s try it. Won’t you join me?

           

ALIVE:  A Twelve-Week Bible Study for Grandparents is written for the vital “Fifty-Plus Generation.”  Grandparents are Alert to a changing world, Love in action, and Involved with community, family, friends, and the world.  Vitality radiates from their fit bodies.  They are Encouragers to each other, and to the upcoming generations.  No rocking chairs or recliners for this active bunch; they’re too ALIVE!

The study will help grandparents identify their role and point them to their mentoring responsibility before God.  The study is written in two sections.  The first section is five weeks long and deals with the grandparents’ personal concerns.  The second section consists of seven weeks, which focus on grandparents as mentors and teachers to their grandchildren. Get yourself a notebook and let’s dive in!

Week 1:  God’s Blessings on Grandparents

Scripture for the week: 

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,

till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.  Psalm 71: 17 & 18 NIV

Lesson 1:  You Possess Wisdom Gained Through Experiences

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Since my youth, O God, you have taught me. Psalm 71: 17

*Before you begin, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read God’s Word and seek His meaning.

All of us have a spiritual history whether we have followed God or not, for it was His will and desire that we should be born. God works in our lives in spite of us, drawing us to Him.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, there comes a moment when our eyes are opened to God’s goodness and we make a decision about our Lord.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s 

womb . . . My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139: 13, 15-16

I remember when I was a child of six or seven, dashing out in front of a car.  I had one thing on my mind and that was to get across the street to my friend’s house.  I had failed to check for traffic.  I remember how frightening it was, the screech of the car brakes and my life had been spared.  Looking back, I realize it was God who spared my life.  Before I surrendered my life to Him, He was already working in my life.  In fact He began at conception and has followed me through every day that I have lived.

I have also been told that I had the whooping cough at age two and nearly died.  When I was five, a huge dog bit me and almost ripped the skin off my face. Again, God intervened.  He was always there, even before I knew Him, working in my life.

           

When just a toddler, my parents took me to Sunday school and church.  Thus, I was blessed with the opportunity to hear about Christ.  Another adult has shared how they didn’t get to church until adulthood when God strategically placed a bold Christian in their path to share with them.  Someone else shared that their grandparents were instrumental in bringing them to church and providing a way for them to know God. God was working with His perfect timing in all of our lives.

The specific things that I have mentioned about my life happened before I was saved.  Now, I can see how God was at work, surrounding me with His angels, guiding and caring for me.  Since I’ve come to Christ, there has been many more blessings (happenings) where I can say, “It was God’s leading, or God’s protection, or God’s intervention.”

Think On These Things:

Take a few minutes and make a list of how God has provided, intervened, protected and shielded, or healed you.  Start with the earliest memories you can think up, and then consider each decade of your life. 

You will be amazed.

Birth to age 5:

Age 5 to 10:

Age 10 to 20:

Age 20 to 30:

Age 30-40:

Age 40-50:

Age 50-60:

Age 60-70:

Age 70-80:

Age 80-90:

Age 90-100:

What Did I Learn?

In your own words, write what you learned from today’s lesson.  What has He been doing for you since your youth?

How does that make you feel toward God?

I Will Apply What I Have Learned

STEP 1:  You can apply what you have learned by sharing how God has cared for you with your children, grandchildren, and other family members during family conversations.

STEP 2:  Ask God to provide opportunities during the course of the days and weeks ahead to boldly share. Praise Him for all that He has done. 

Gracious Father, 

Throughout my life, from the moment of my conception, it has been Your will that I should live and breathe, and know You.  You have kept me safe in moments where no other explanation can be given except that You intervened on my behalf—because it was not in your timing that I come home to be with you just yet.

Father, I just want to thank You for your protective care, and that you loved me before I first loved You.  I want to thank You for all the marvelous ways you have worked on my behalf (go back and look at your list and name them one by one, thanking Him for each one.)  Glory to Your Name, Holy Father.  May my life be a testimony to others as I share what You have done for me.  In Christ’s Name.  Amen. 

Come back tomorrow for lesson two.

© Janet Teitsort. You must contact the author for permission to reprint via message on Facebook.