Responses of Grandchildren to Grandparent-Led Religious Formation in Matutu Station, Nyamira Seventh Day Adventist Conference, Kenya

There is a growing involvement of grandparents in the religious upbringing of grandchildren in Matutu Station, Nyamira SDA Conference; however, concerns about grandchildren’s religious character raise questions about how they perceive, respond to, and internalise grandparent-led religious formation. This study investigated the responses of grandchildren to such formation, guided by Social Learning Theory, Faith Development Theory, and Attachment Theory. The target population comprised 2037 participants, with a sample of 200, and the unit of analysis was grandparents directly involved in caregiving. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions, employing simple random and census sampling techniques. The findings indicate that grandchildren generally respond positively to grandparent-led religious formation, with 62.2% reporting increased participation in prayer and family devotions, 61.5% noting growth in religious knowledge, 57.8% demonstrating honesty, kindness, and self-discipline, 68.1% showing compassion and responsibility, 65.2% emulating grandparents’ faith practices, 71.1% exhibiting improved interpersonal relationships, 71.9% accepting moral guidance, and 67.4% reducing engagement in risky behaviors. Overall, the average positive response across all areas was 65.7%, confirming the effectiveness of intergenerational faith transmission. The study recommends that the SDA Church in Matutu Station formally recognise and equip grandparents as key agents of religious formation through training, intergenerational faith activities, and ongoing pastoral support to sustain grandchildren’s spiritual, moral, and social development

Compassion · Faith · Grandparent · Interpersonal communication · Population · Prayer · Religiosity · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare