Living as a Christian: top 25 questions for seniors & grandparents

Tell them stories of God's faithfulness in your life. Pray for them by name. Send cards, read Bible stories and attend church together when you can.

“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”Psalm 145:4 (KJV)

Try this: Write one story of God's faithfulness for a grandchild.

Pass it on: Share it at the next family gathering.

God isn't done with you. You can pray, encourage, mentor and testify. Your wisdom is a gift.

“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;”Psalm 92:14 (KJV)

Try this: List three people you can encourage this week.

Pass it on: Call one of them.

God's grace is sufficient in weakness. Bring your fears to Him. Lean on your church family.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

Try this: Ask your church for prayer.

Pass it on: Pray for someone else who is ill.

For Christians, death is not the end but the doorway to life with Christ. It's natural to feel fear. Christ has defeated death.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”John 11:25-26 (KJV)

Try this: Read John 14:1-6.

Pass it on: Share your hope with a family member.

Loneliness is common in later years. Reach out, join groups and call family. God is with you.

“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”Isaiah 46:4 (KJV)

Try this: Call a friend today.

Pass it on: Visit someone who is homebound.

Grief is love that has lost its home. Take time and seek support. God is near the brokenhearted.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

Try this: Join a grief group.

Pass it on: Comfort someone newly widowed.

Attend in person or online. Ask for rides or visits. Your presence matters.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

Try this: Ask about rides or visits.

Pass it on: Offer a ride to someone.

Pray Scripture over each person. Keep a list. Your prayers matter.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”James 5:16 (KJV)

Try this: Make a prayer list for your family.

Pass it on: Tell them you're praying.

Confess them to God; for Jesus' sake you are forgiven. Make amends where possible. God redeems.

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)

Try this: Write down one regret and pray over it.

Pass it on: Reconcile with someone if you can.

Pray, seek peace and forgive. You can't control others. Leave it with God.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”Romans 12:18 (KJV)

Try this: Write a note of reconciliation.

Pass it on: Encourage peace in the family.

Your faith, stories and prayers are a legacy. Write them down. Bless your family.

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)

Try this: Write a blessing letter to each grandchild.

Pass it on: Read it aloud at a gathering.

Losing independence is hard. Accept help graciously. Your worth isn't in what you can do.

“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”Isaiah 46:4 (KJV)

Try this: Accept help from someone this week.

Pass it on: Thank your caregivers.

God keeps you in faith through His Word and Sacraments. Keep hearing the Word and receiving the Lord's Supper; ask for a pastor's visit if you can't get to church. Large print or audio Bibles help.

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;”Psalm 92:12-14 (KJV)

Try this: Try an audio Bible.

Pass it on: Invite a friend to a Bible study.

God remembers you even when you forget. Familiar hymns and verses can comfort. Family can help.

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”Isaiah 49:15 (KJV)

Try this: Memorize a favorite hymn.

Pass it on: Sing it with family.

Pray, mentor, write cards and volunteer. Your experience is valuable.

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;”Titus 2:2-3 (KJV)

Try this: Write an encouraging card.

Pass it on: Mentor a younger person.

Ask questions and listen. Share stories. Be patient and loving.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;”Deuteronomy 4:9 (KJV)

Try this: Ask a grandchild about their faith.

Pass it on: Share a Bible story.

Make your wishes known, plan your funeral and talk with family. Share your faith. Make peace with others.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”Psalm 90:12 (KJV)

Try this: Talk with your family about your wishes.

Pass it on: Encourage others to prepare.

Caregiving is love in action. Ask for help and rest. God sees you.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Try this: Ask for respite help.

Pass it on: Support another caregiver.

Plan wisely and seek counsel. Trust God's provision. Be generous.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Try this: Review your finances with a trusted advisor.

Pass it on: Help someone in need.

Keep loving and praying. Stay connected. God can bring them home.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”Luke 15:20 (KJV)

Try this: Send a card of love.

Pass it on: Pray with other grandparents.

Joy comes from the Lord. Practice gratitude. Spend time with others.

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)

Try this: Write three things you're thankful for.

Pass it on: Share them with someone.

Bring fears to God. He is with you. Talk to someone.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Try this: Memorize Isaiah 41:10.

Pass it on: Share it with someone afraid.

Speak blessings over them. Write letters. Pray for them.

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)

Try this: Speak a blessing at the next gathering.

Pass it on: Teach the blessing to grandchildren.

Change can be hard. Focus on Christ and the Word. Offer wisdom graciously.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

Try this: Talk with your pastor.

Pass it on: Encourage younger leaders.

Salvation rests on Christ's promises, not on how well you've lived. Trust His Word. He holds you.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”John 10:28 (KJV)

Try this: Memorize John 10:28.

Pass it on: Share it with someone.