In this episode of Grandparenthood, we explore the vital role of "church grandparents" in nurturing faith and biblical literacy among younger generations. Drawing from his leadership in the National Grandparent Movement, Ian highlights the value of spiritual mentorship, the difference between biological and spiritual grandparenting, and practical ways older adults can remain purposeful and engaged in church communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Church Grandparent Definition: Ian broadens the term "church grandparent" beyond just biological ties, highlighting it as a spiritual mentorship role that any older church member can embrace.

• Biblical Literacy Decline: The episode discusses the decreased engagement with scripture among younger generations, positioning church grandparents as pivotal in reversing this trend.

• Role of Church Grandparents: Church grandparents can offer unique wisdom, modeling devotion and providing spiritual guidance for younger members of their communities.

• Practical Engagement: Suggestions include volunteering for church activities, praying for youth members, and sharing insights from scripture with family and church communities.

Notable Quotes:

• "The younger generations now are more Bible admirers than Bible readers."

• "It's great to get back to sharing what you've learned about God and how it can impact others."

• "A church grandparent can be anyone who wants to contribute spiritually to the lives of younger generations."

• "Why wouldn't you want to be a church grandparent? Because there's so much opportunity to impact lives."

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we explore the vital role grandparents play in discussing death with their grandchildren, helping bridge generations with honesty, hope, and faith. Through heartfelt conversations, we examine how accepting mortality can open doors to meaningful dialogue, grounded in Christian belief and the comforting hope found in Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

• Grandparents can play a critical role in discussing and normalizing the concept of death with their family, offering a perspective rooted in hope and faith.
• Having an internalized acceptance of one's own mortality is vital for grandparents before addressing these topics with grandchildren and children.
• Engaging discussions on death early can be healthfully integrated into family dialogue, providing an opportunity to discuss life, death, and hope from a Christian perspective.

Notable Quotes:

• "You are now in that final chapter. Have you got your life in order?"

• "As a Christian grandparent, I'm not nervous about what's to come because I know what's to come."

• "For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain, it's even better."

• "Death is just part of life. Life and death go hand in hand."

• "You want to see your kids and grandkids in heaven"

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this heartfelt episode of the Grandparenthood Podcast, Ben and Ian tackle the emotional and often painful issue of being blocked from seeing your grandchildren. They explore the complex family dynamics that can lead to such situations, offering empathy, insight, and hope. With a focus on self-reflection and healing, the episode introduces three key approaches—prayer, process, and perseverance—to help grandparents navigate these challenging times.

Key Takeaways:

• Grandparents are often faced with being blocked from seeing their grandchildren due to complex relational issues, which can lead to profound anguish.
• Ian Barnett introduces three strategies to address such challenges: prayer, valuing the process, and perseverance.
• The episode encourages self-reflection, the need for patience, and maintaining open channels of communication, even if only through letters or texts.
• The importance of grandparents understanding their role and accepting that they do not have all the answers.
• Listeners are encouraged to reach out to support networks and resources to help process their emotions and find pathways to reconciliation.

Notable Quotes

• "With all the things that I've seen over many years and through conferences and the podcast, being blocked from your grandkids is the hardest one to deal with."
• "Perseverance means that you actually get time yourself to grow because you may need to grow in understanding, in acceptance that you're not always right."
• "You can't determine the response of others. They will make their own decision about what they're going to do with what you do."

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.