As part of a church’s children’s program one young lad was asked who hero was. He answered without hesitation, “My Dad”! Men, you know there are few things that will make a dad’s chest swell with pride like hearing his son call him a hero.

On this Father’s Day I wonder how many grandfathers would be seen as heroes in the eyes of their grandchildren. I wrote about heroes in some articles a few months ago. In one of those I asked the question of grandfathers, “Are you worthy to be called a ‘hero’ by your grandchildren?”

In a day when three out of five children in America are growing up in fatherless homes, and 75% of all juveniles in our prison system are from fatherless homes, this is no time for grandfathers to retreat away and ignore the problem. We don’t need deadbeat grandfathers too. This is an opportunity for grandfathers to step to the plate and make an enormous difference in the lives of those grandchildren who, for whatever reason are missing a father in their lives. It’s time for some new heroes to rise to the surface to show our grandsons and granddaughters what a real man of God looks like.

Remember, real heroes are simply ordinary people doing extraordinary things that promote truth, integrity, justice, righteousness and humility for the good of others for a greater good beyond themselves. Here are seven hero action steps every godly grandfather ought to practice for the sake of their grandchildren:

1. Talk with your adult sons and sons-in-law: Ask how they would like you to partner with them to help them be the best fathers possible and to help their children become all God intends for them to be.

2. Pray fervently: James says “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (Jas. 5:16). Make a commitment to pray daily for your grandchildren. Download our Scripture Prayer cards to help you pray effectively for your grandchildren.

3. Be intentionally engaged with your grandchildren: Don’t be a deadbeat grandfather. Spend some time considering ways you can be involved in your grandchildren’s lives, even if you are long-distance.

4. Remember little things: Big events and expensive gifts can never supplant the little things in life—like walking along the beach, hiking a mountain trail, or strolling through a park. A simple card sent by regular mail, a phone call, or a smile can create amazing opportunities to impact a life.

5. Create a rite of passage tradition: How do we help our children grow from childhood to adulthood and full maturity in Christ? I encourage you to visit the A Chosen Generation web site for some great resources, including Chuck Stecker’s book, Men of Honor/Women of Virtue. This is an opportunity for grandfathers, especially, to come alongside their adult children and implement a new tradition that will eradicate much of the confusion about adulthood in today’s culture.

6. Practice spoken blessing: The spoken blessing is powerful tool for communicating a person’s high value as an image-bearer of God, God’s special future for them as His handiwork, and our commitment to walk with them through their journey and cheer them on. Grandfathers, do not underestimate the power of a father’s blessing in a child’s life.

7. In all things make CHRIST look great and that He is your all-satisfying delight: Godly heroes do not boast in themselves, but in Christ. They exalt Him in all they do. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

I’d like to hear your stories about how your father and/or grandfather displayed these hero qualities to you.