Question:
How do I bring up Jesus with my grandson so he will listen? He’s 11 years old and is not being raised as a Christian by either parent. It was easy to expose him to Jesus when he was younger and in my care off and on. Whenever I bring up the subject now he closes up on me.
Response:
As children enter the pre-teen years, it is normal for them to listen less to parents and grandparents and more to peers.
They will often appear to be apathetic about what the adults in their lives have to say. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to hear from them or that they don’t care what they have to say. It usually means that they are starting to realize that they can have their own thoughts and opinions which may be different from those of their parents and grandparents.
In order to talk with your grandson about Jesus, you first need to know when he is open to talking with you. By observing him, you will learn when he is in a mood to talk and when he isn’t. That openness to talking will often only last a short period of time before he gets distracted by something else, so take the opportunity to engage with him when he is open to it.
Then, ask him a non-judgmental question about Jesus, God, faith, or a Christian principle. Then, listen. Resist the urge to correct him, and just “hear him” so you understand what he currently believes.
As you enter into these exploratory discussions and show him that you want to hear what he thinks and believes, he will be more likely to open up to you and hear from you. As he does, you can begin to share your thoughts and beliefs but be sure to do so without pressuring him to agree with you.
Expose him to how you live out your faith through prayer, reading scripture, and attending church so he can see these disciplines in your life. Pray that God will show you when your grandson is open to discussion, guide you in your discussions with him and open his heart to hearing the truth of the gospel. Often, we are planting seeds of faith that God and others will bring to fruition.
