In this episode of The Hope + Help Project, Christine Chappell interviews pastor and author Larry McCall. They discuss Larry's book, Grandparenting with Grace: Living the Gospel with the Next Generation to help us better understand what it means to build a legacy worth following through intentional, gospel-centered relationships with our grandchildren. During the conversation, Larry explains harmful trending mindsets regarding our "golden years," and rich, biblical wisdom for cultivating fruitful family relationships through intentional grandparenting. He also cautions that Christian family heritage does not guarantee our grandchildren's salvation, helps listeners discern how to avoid overstepping boundaries when it comes to our adult children's parenting choices, and provides practical suggestions for navigating various familial challenges such as broken families and long-distance relationships. Larry also offers listeners six ways grandparents can be praying for themselves as they strive toward leaving behind a gospel-saturated legacy.
There has been a growing trend in American culture over the last couple of generations for the retired and semi-retired to devote the golden years largely to their own pursuits. The pull is strong in the hearts of many grandparents to move to "seniors only" retirement communities, perhaps in warmer climates, and to spend our time and money doing things we enjoy—golfing, shopping, cruising, eating out, whatever—with people in our own age group...Is it possible we have missed something, that we've settled for a way of life in our "golden years" that fails to imagine the lasting impact God might want to make through us?
About the Podcast
The Hope + Help Project podcast offers compassionate biblical conversations about life's challenging problems. The purpose of the podcast is to share Christ-centered comfort and clarity for those seeking biblical solutions for the struggles they face. The podcast accomplishes this by offering a mix of interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics. Listeners can expect to receive biblical wisdom as well as practical steps for facing suffering, struggling and sin with courage and grace. Hosted by author/writer Christine M. Chappell.
About the Guest
Larry E. McCall has served as a pastor at Christ's Covenant Church of Winona Lake, Indiana, since 1981. He has written a number of articles and is the author of Walking Like Jesus Did, Loving Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church, and Grandparenting with Grace. He is a graduate of Grace College, Grace Theological Seminary and has a doctor of ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Larry has been married to Gladine since 1975. They have three married children and seven grandchildren.
About the Book
Grandparenting with Grace: Living the Gospel with the Next Generation • In this practical and biblical resource for grandparents, Larry McCall helps readers confidently carry out their mission of gospel-focused grandparenting. Grandparenting with Grace explores how to build a legacy of a life worth following and how to faithfully pray for grandchildren.
What does God say about grandparents and grandchildren? Rather than relying on personal stories and ideas alone, Grandparenting with Grace seeks to explain from Scripture the "what," "why," "who," and "how" of grandparenting.
Readers hungry to know more about God's calling for this role will find inspiration, encouragement, and gospel hope. As a parent to three and grandparent to six, the author shares his personal experiences coming alongside his children in supportive ways as they seek to raise their kids—his grandkids—in the ways of Christ.
Many people in our culture look at grandparenting primarily as an opportunity to make occasional fun memories with their grandkids. There's often little thought given to the idea of intentionally and spiritually pouring into grandchildren.
McCall urges readers to look at grandparenting from an eternal perspective, considering how to be involved in their families in God-honoring ways. By applying biblical wisdom, grandparents can also strengthen the local church as they continue to see and pursue God's calling to present the gospel to the coming generations.
What does God say about grandparents and grandchildren? Rather than relying on personal stories and ideas alone, Grandparenting with Grace seeks to explain from Scripture the "what," "why," "who," and "how" of grandparenting.
Readers hungry to know more about God's calling for this role will find inspiration, encouragement, and gospel hope. As a parent to three and grandparent to six, the author shares his personal experiences coming alongside his children in supportive ways as they seek to raise their kids—his grandkids—in the ways of Christ.
Many people in our culture look at grandparenting primarily as an opportunity to make occasional fun memories with their grandkids. There's often little thought given to the idea of intentionally and spiritually pouring into grandchildren.
McCall urges readers to look at grandparenting from an eternal perspective, considering how to be involved in their families in God-honoring ways. By applying biblical wisdom, grandparents can also strengthen the local church as they continue to see and pursue God's calling to present the gospel to the coming generations.
Helpful Resources from Larry
The Best Part of Being a Grandparent
I think for most of us grandparents, our enjoyment level is high. You know, “If I had realized having grandchildren would be this much fun, I would have had them first!” Let’s have fun with those grandkids, my friends. In the middle of those great activities, however, let’s keep in mind our greatest legacy as grandparents.
Intentional Grandparenting
What is the overarching goal we have as grandparents? Is it to be our grandchildren’s emotional supporters? Their cheerleaders as they move through their childhood and teen years? Is our goal to give our grandkids happy memories as they grow up?
Maybe we should tweak our question to “What is the overarching goal God has for us in our grandparenting?”
About Your Host
Christine M. Chappell
Author, Writer, & Podcast Host
Christine Chappell is the author of Clean Home, Messy Heart, Help! My Teen is Depressed (forthcoming with Shepherd Press in March 2020), and is the host of The Hope + Help Project podcast. She writes frequently about depression, sorrow, grief, and motherhood at her blog, has completed biblical counseling certificates with the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship, and is currently pursuing certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Christine's writing has been featured at Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, Servants of Grace, Thrive Moms, Devotable, and For Every Mom.
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