Introduction
Grandparents hold a special place in God's plan: they remember what he has done and can pass it on with a depth that few others can. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are grouped into five themes: a legacy of faith, blessing the next generation, growing older with God, the wisdom and honor of age, and joy and God's faithfulness. Use them to encourage a grandparent, to write a card for Grandparents Day, or to pray for your own grandchildren. Read one slowly and let it settle.
A Legacy of Faith
1. 2 Timothy 1:5
"having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also."
Paul remembers the sincere faith that lived first in Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. A grandparent's faith can be the first seed in a family. If you are one, your prayers, your example and your quiet devotion are shaping a life you may not live to see fully grown. Read all of 2 Timothy 1.
2. Psalm 71:17-18
"God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come."
The psalmist says God taught him from his youth, and asks not to be forsaken in old age until he has declared God's strength to the next generation. That is a beautiful purpose for later years. You do not retire from telling others about God's goodness; you simply have more stories to tell. Read all of Psalm 71.
3. Joel 1:3
"Tell your children about it, and have your children tell their children, and their children, another generation."
Tell your children about it, and have your children tell their children, and their children, another generation. This is how faith travels: from one storyteller to the next. Grandparents can be the link in the chain. Share the story of how God met you, and invite your grandchildren to pass it on. Read all of Joel 1.
4. Psalm 145:4
"One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts."
One generation will commend your works to another, and declare your mighty acts. Praise is meant to be inherited. When your grandchildren see you worship, thank God before meals or sing in the car, they learn that God is real and worthy of honor. Let them hear you praise. Read all of Psalm 145.
Blessing the Next Generation
5. Genesis 48:15-16
"He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.”"
Jacob, an old man, blesses Joseph's sons by naming the God who has fed him all his life and redeemed him from evil. Notice how he uses his own history with God as the foundation for the blessing. You can do the same for your grandchildren: pray over them, naming God's faithfulness to you. Read all of Genesis 48.
6. Psalm 115:14-15
"May Yahweh increase you more and more, you and your children. Blessed are you by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth."
May the Lord increase you more and more, you and your children, and may you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. This is a prayer you can say over a grandchild at bedtime or over a whole family. Blessing is not only a gift to give; it is an act of faith. Read all of Psalm 115.
7. Isaiah 59:21
"“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says Yahweh. “My Spirit who is on you, and my words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your offspring, nor out of the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says Yahweh, “from now on and forever.”"
God makes a covenant promise that his Spirit and his words will not depart from the mouths of his people, their children or their children's children. That is a promise for the whole family line. Pray it over your descendants, and ask God to make his Word live in each generation. Read all of Isaiah 59.
8. Psalm 103:17
"But Yahweh’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children,"
The Lord's loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear him, and his righteousness reaches to children's children. The mercy you have received does not stop with you. Thank God for his love in your life, and ask him to carry it to your grandchildren and beyond. Read all of Psalm 103.
Growing Older with God
9. Isaiah 46:4
"Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver."
Even to old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. This is among the most comforting promises for older believers. As your body slows down, God does not. He made you, he bears you, and he will carry you through every season. You can rest in being carried. Read all of Isaiah 46.
10. Psalm 92:14
"They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green,"
The righteous will still produce fruit in old age, full of sap and green. Fruitfulness has no retirement date. In later years you can still pray, encourage, give, listen and mentor. Ask God to show you where to bear fruit now, even in small ways. Read all of Psalm 92.
11. Psalm 71:9
"Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails."
The psalmist prays, do not reject me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. It is an honest prayer, and God welcomes honest prayers. If you feel fragile or forgotten, say it aloud. God has not left you, and he is attentive to your weakness. Read all of Psalm 71.
12. Psalm 90:12
"So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. At every age, this is wise, but especially in the later years. Count the days not with fear but with gratitude and purpose. Ask God to show you whom to bless, forgive and encourage while you still can. Read all of Psalm 90.
The Wisdom and Honor of Age
13. Proverbs 16:31
"Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness."
Gray hair is a crown of glory, attained by a life of righteousness. In a world obsessed with youth, Scripture honors age. If you are a grandparent, you carry a crown that years of faithfulness have earned. Wear it with humility, and let your grandchildren see why it matters. Read all of Proverbs 16.
14. Job 12:12
"With aged men is wisdom, in length of days understanding."
With aged men is wisdom, and in length of days understanding. Younger people need elders who have walked with God through many seasons. Make yourself available to your grandchildren: listen to them, answer their questions, and tell them what you wish you had known earlier. Read all of Job 12.
15. Leviticus 19:32
"“ ‘You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh."
You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the elderly, and fear your God. If you are a grandchild, this verse calls you to honor your grandparents with respect, visits and attention. Call them this week, ask for their stories, and let them know they are valued. Read all of Leviticus 19.
16. Deuteronomy 32:7
"Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you."
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations, ask your father and your elders, and they will tell you. Younger people are invited to listen to the older ones. Grandparents, your stories are not clutter; they are a treasure that helps the next generation understand who God is. Read all of Deuteronomy 32.
Joy and God's Faithfulness
17. Psalm 128:6
"Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel."
May you see your children's children. Seeing grandchildren is presented as a blessing from God. If you are a grandparent, receive this gift with thanks, and pray for each little one by name. If you are waiting for grandchildren, hold this verse in prayer and hope. Read all of Psalm 128.
18. Psalm 37:25-26
"I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread. All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed."
David says he has been young and now is old, yet has not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread, and his offspring is blessed. Faithful older believers can testify to God's care. Share your own testimony, and let your grandchildren see that God keeps his word. Read all of Psalm 37.
19. Psalm 100:5
"For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations."
The Lord is good, his loving kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness reaches all generations. What a verse to place on the wall of a grandparent's home. Whatever has changed through the years, God's faithfulness has not. It is the same for you as for your parents, and it will be the same for your grandchildren. Read all of Psalm 100.
20. 2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith."
Paul's words near the end of life are a powerful model: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. A grandparent who keeps the faith leaves a priceless example. Keep walking with Christ, and let your grandchildren see a faith that endures. Read all of 2 Timothy 4.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Bible verse for Grandparents Day?
Proverbs 16:31 says gray hair is a crown of glory, and Psalm 145:4 speaks of one generation commending God's works to another. Psalm 128:6, may you see your children's children, is also a lovely choice for a card.
What does the Bible say about the role of grandparents?
Scripture shows grandparents as carriers of faith and blessing. Paul praises the faith of Timothy's grandmother Lois in 2 Timothy 1:5, and Psalm 71:17-18 asks God to sustain the psalmist until he has told the next generation about his strength.
Which Bible verse comforts older believers?
Isaiah 46:4 promises that God will carry you even to gray hairs. Psalm 92:14 says the righteous still bear fruit in old age, and Psalm 71:9 gives you words to pray when your strength feels low.