Imagine a world in which Christian men were committed to personally disciple their own children and then helping those children disciple their children. Imagine men with multi-generational vision, who are willing to commit their time and finances to equipping future generations to be mighty in the land. Of course, if one reads the Bible, little imagination is necessary. For four thousand years God worked through such (imperfect, but faithful)men to preserve the godly line through which the Savior would come, to build the nation of Israel, and to communicate truths of eternal significance to future generations.

Last week, I began a series of messages in my local church on the biblical role of grandfathers. Investigating the biblical mission and message of grandfathers (and grandmothers)has been a glorious and rewarding Bible study for me. Scripture has so much to say on the subject. Rather than looking forward to retirement, moving to Florida for golf, spending their children’s inheritance or simply “checking out,” a biblical grandfather realizes that some of his most important life work begins at the birth of his grandchildren. It is a life work that remains until his death, and it carries the potential for influencing generations yet born and centuries into the future.

Recently, I received a little encouragement from the Lord to pursue this study when I met Mr. Green, a grandfather of 78 years who was so motivated by the Vision Forum film “Raising the Allosaur,” that he determined that he, his children and even his grandchildren needed to be better equipped as defenders of the Faith, through practical hands-on creation science. He immediately signed up for a Vision Forum dino dig. But, what is more——he signed up and paid for ten of his children and grandchildren!

Mr. Green was not only an inspiration, he was quite a trooper. He climbed 8,000 foot mountains with us, worked on brachiosaur bones, and went gallivanting around Colorado visiting exotic sites. We thank God for the testimony of such a man and his love for Christ which he hopes to be passed on to the thrid and fourth generation.

Writing about her experience on the dig with with her father, Pamela Green wrote:

“My only motive for going on the “dig” was because my Dad was so excited about it and really wanted everyone to come with him. My Dad has worked hard all his life and took good care of his family...I can’t remember him ever doing anything for himself. He worked full and part-time year round. He was active in our church and did alot around the house. He fixed things when they broke and did dishes; whatever needed to be
done. He got up in the middle of the night to give my sister a bottle when she was a baby and then went to work all day. I remember him bathing us when we were very little and I remember him cleaning up diarhea when we got sick. He fed the dog and made Sunday supper.

So I wanted to do this for my Dad as his “opus” (like Mr. Holland’s opus). But it turned out that I benefitted from the experience, too. I saw Godly Christian families that love each other where the children honor the parents and everyone works together. The impact these families had on me was profound. God used their lives to touch my life and help me to come home and make some positive changes. I also learned many interesting facts about the flood and Creation...”