GRANDPARENTS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES

Transcription

1 GRANDPARENTS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES For all Grandparents who are never too old to love, and never too old to be loved back. As participants arrive, have them reflect on Grandparenting photos. justasknana.net/grandparenting-tips/

2 acanetwork.org/grandparents-fellowship grandparents.about.com/od/grandparentingtoday/a/disabledgps.htm

3 Anne Tarbutton and Grandson Ellis

4 blog.lifeway.com/shelflife/2016/08/24/new-books-for-the-family,

5 apostlesjourney.blogspot.com

6 The Spirituality of Grandparenting by Ralph Milton with Beverley Milton Cover Photo Oursaviorlutheranch.org/Pictures/GeneralPics/GeneralPicsA.html

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8 elainekwilliams.authorsxpress.com The Spirituality of Grandparenting by Ralph Milton with Beverley Milton, p. 94

9 Personal photo Ralph and Lillian Rhudy Prayer of Thanksgiving for Grandparents/Elders (All) God of Abraham and Sarah, grandfather and grandmother in the faith, God of all generations: We thank you today for those who are grandparents/elders. We especially thank you for those who are grandparents to us-those who are grandparents by blood relationships, and those unrelated but older than we who generously share their love and wisdom, their time and traditions so that we have roots, stories, and hope. We bless you for the gift of grandparents, and we ask your blessing on them, that their days may be filled with delight in their grandchildren. May their giving and grace toward younger generations bring fulfillment to them and may they be a blessing to all they love and call grandchildren, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen ( Leader: Ask participants to share what comes to mind when they hear Grandparents as Spiritual Guides and record on flip chart.

10 FOUNDATION Bible Verses on Grandparenting Leader asks for different attendees to read each verse. Proverbs 17:6 - Grandchildren are the crown of the aged. Paul says to Timothy: (2 Timothy 1: 5) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure lives in you. Psalm 71: O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Psalm 92: 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Psalm 145: 4 One generation commends your works to another, they tell of your mighty acts. Deuteronomy 4: 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Leader shares: Baptismal Vows Congregation PCUSA Book of Common Worship, WJK Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, p. 406/Baptism. Do you as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of his church? Sing Together These Treasured Children #487, Glory to God Hymnal Leader shares: Note on the terminology of Spirituality/Spiritual Guide : Chapter 15 on the Holy Spirit in Christine Doctrine, Guthrie says that the meaning of authentic Christian spirituality is based on the presence and work of the Holy Spirit who is the living God here and now in our individual lives, in the church, and in the world.

11 Betty Shannon Cloyd in her book Parents and Grandparents as Spiritual Guides (p.16) shares As you make a commitment to becoming a more spiritual person yourself and to being a spiritual guide for the special children in your midst, God s Holy Spirit will give you the strength and wisdom you need. It is a journey of faith, and you will find that just as you need it, step by step, day by day, and year by year, you will be enabled for the task. Leader Shares: Children of the Promise In Acts 2:39 we read, For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him. These are the words for us to remember when we speak of our relationship with God: We are children of the promise. We are made in the image of God and are therefore spiritual beings rooted and grounded in Christ. And as such, we can claim our rightful place in the universe and begin to see life through a different set of lenses. We as parents and grandparents, are strengthened in our faith and are anchored in the power of God. From that stance, then, we are enabled to be Spiritual guides for our children as they face the forces in society today. (Betty Shannon Cloyd, p.27). FIRST THINGS FIRST To be a Spiritual guide to your grandchildren, you need to tend, nourish and nurture your own Spiritual life. Tilden Edwards quotes Thomas Merton as saying that the effective Spiritual guide is one who knows that his or her first duty is to see to his (her)own interior life..since you never will be able to give to others what you do not possess yourself. (Betty Shannon Cloyd, p. 39) Leader: Asks attendees to share how they nurture their Spiritual life and writes their comments on the flip chart. Leader: Some suggestions: Take a moment to reflect on these. A. Be attentive to God s Presence in daily life. B. Have a daily prayer time. C. Study the Scripture. D. Participate in a Small Group.

12 E. Journal your journey with God. F. Retreat from the world occasionally. G. Be part of a Community of Faith. H. Seek Spiritual guidance for yourself. I. Do good deeds for others. J. Participate in worship and ritual. K. Practicing hope, gratitude, and the desire to let God s blessings flow through us toward others. L. Seeking and granting forgiveness. M. Self-examination and confession. N. Caring for Creation. O. Offering Hospitality. P. Sharing our Faith Stories. Q. Fasting, (Betty Shannon Cloud, pgs , Elsie H.R. Rempel, Please Pass the Faith: The Art of Spiritual Grandparenting, Chapter 2) SPIRITUAL GUIDE DEFINITIONS Leader: Ask different participants to read each one. Margaret Guenther says that Spiritual guides are not professionals but are amateurs who aspire to reflect Christ s love. She continues by saying that Spiritual guidance involves holy listening -the listening to each other and ultimately to God. Kenneth Leech says that the Spiritual guide exists to be a friend of the soul, a guide on the way to the City of God. He/she is not a leader but a guide, and they point always beyond themselves to the Kingdom and the Glory. Sandra Schneiders says that The guide is a companion in the..difficulties as well as in the joys of the Spiritual life. I like the metaphor that one writer uses when he speaks of Spiritual guide as being only God s usher. He/she is the means of God to open the path to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit.

13 A grandparent can be the gate opener for the Holy Spirit. We provide time and place and open the way for the Holy Spirit to enter the life of the child. That is, we offer hospitality for the Holy Spirit. Acting as a Spiritual guide involves teaching your grandchild to harvest such fruits of the Spirit as love, tolerance, compassion, reverence, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith and kindness. Dr. Kornhaber (grandparenting.org/resource/grandparents-as-spiritual-guides/) GRANDPARENTING AS A GIFT FIVE MAIN ROLLS THAT GRANDPARENTS FULFILL Leader: Participants will arrange in 5 small groups and discuss each topic and report back in minutes. 1. To Be Present in the Life of the Child Discuss ways/experiences to be present! 2. To Love Grandchildren Unconditionally Discuss ways/experiences to love unconditionally! 3. To Connect the Generations - Discuss ways/experiences to connect generations! 4. To Provide Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Support to the Parents of our Grandchildren Discuss ways/experiences to provide emotional, physical and Spiritual support for the parents! 5. Be a Strong Spiritual Guide for our Grandchildren Discuss ways/experiences to be a Spiritual guide! (Attachment provided for future exploration) (Betty Shannon Cloyd, Chapter 4) Leader: Ask participants if there may be any other main Grandparenting rolls that may be added to this list. BLESSING POWER Blessing connects us all, wherever we are on our life and faith journeys, because blessing emerges from God s graciousness. (Elise Rempel, Epilogue)

14 See Attached Material Write a Blessing for Your Grandchild Share, participants will do on their own time ( A PRAYER FOR FAITHFUL GENERATIONS (ALL) We are Christian Seniors who love the young: May God bless our relating, speaking, and listening, so that our word, thoughts and actions bless our grandchildren and the church s children. May we and those we love be sheltered and nourished by the deep awareness that we are all part of God s big story; that we are loved, treasured, and gifted by God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. May God s love and truth be ever in our hearts and minds to help us walk in God s ways and know God s peace, healing, and hope, so that God s blessings can keep flowing through us to our grandchildren and others as long as God grant us life. Amen. (Elise Rempel)