Topic: Children Are An Heritage (2)
Dear Reader,
Welcome once again to God’s guidance concerning Family Life. Last week, I taught on Children Are Blessings! I said children are gifts from God and unique blends of their parents.
Today, I will like to talk briefly on “Raising God-fearing Children.” God has given you the privilege to be parents over those children so that you can raise them in His fear, in order for them to become an ensign to the world around them. Remember, no one can help raise these children in a better way than you (the parents).
For instance, in terms of child raising; the Church, the school and the society cannot take your place as parents. Your children are meant for signs and wonders. The Bible says: Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion (Isaiah 8:18).
However, the greatest inheritance you can leave behind for your children is proper upbringing in the fear of the Lord. The Christian upbringing you give them today, will remain with them for life and they can impart the same to their children’s children, thereby raising a generation of godly children.
Also, when you create the fear of the Lord in their hearts, you would have secured a great and glorious future that cannot be dashed or tampered with. Your children must be raised on a solid foundation because if it is faulty then there is no guarantee for the future. No wonder, the Bible says in Psalm 11:3: If the foundation be destroyed…
Invest in the foundation of your children, so that you will have joy from them. Their foundation shall not be faulty in Jesus’ name! I pray that all parents reading this article today will find joy over their children’s tomorrow in Jesus’ mighty name!
However, man is a tripartite being. He is composed of three parts – spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This automatically means that man has spiritual, emotional and physiological needs which have to be met. Children are no less human. They too are spirit, soul and body. It follows, therefore, that they have needs in these three realms, which must be satisfied.
Now, let’s consider the three main aspects of children’s lives and see how you can instill the fear of God into them.
The Spiritual Aspect
Just like adults have spiritual needs, so also the children do. The Bible tells us in John 4:24 that God is a Spirit. God made man in His image; therefore, man is essentially a spirit being. It is with that spirit that contact is made with divinity. Hence, each of those children can have contact with God; that is, they can establish a relationship with Him.
Never assume that your children are going to heaven, simply because they are born into a Christian home, or because they attend the Sunday school. No! They must confess Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour. Thus, it’s your responsibility as parents to lead them to do so.
After this foundation has been laid, then we can now begin to build on it. You have to create time to sit down to share the Scripture with them. This is of great importance, because it will instill the fear of God into their hearts so that when they grow up and get into the world, God’s fear that has been planted in them will preserve them (Proverbs 22:6). Do you remember Joseph? His parents were not there, yet, he refused to sin against God (Genesis 39:9).
It is important to note that every single life has a purpose, including children. Jeremiah 1:5 says: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah was ordained a prophet from the womb. Thus, by prayer, locate your children’s ordination and propel them along that part.
Also, teach your children how to pray correctly, bearing in mind the different kinds of prayers. Introduce your children to their heavenly Father, encourage them to pray daily. Finally, on meeting their needs spiritually, introduce them to active, Christian service in the house of God. Ensure that you make time available to meet their spiritual needs.
The Emotional Aspect
Children are to be loved, cared for and accepted. As a parent, you must meet their emotional needs to forestall any influence from outside, that will be engage their attention.
Today, the reason for child abuse and all manner of ills in the society is that most parents are no longer there to meet the emotional needs of their children. Ensure that you are approachable and easily accessible by your children.
Give them opportunities to ask questions about what is bothering them. Don’t be “too big” for them to the extent that they will be afraid and prefer to seek solace elsewhere.
Be there for them when you ought to so that they will not seek counsel outside. I tell people all the time, that before a child begins to get addicted to drugs, something has gone wrong at home. When you meet their needs in this area, no devil will influence them from outside.
Also, good, open and effective communication is a vital tool in helping your children to develop emotional stability. For instance, a child, who is self-assured and has high self-esteem, will be immune to foreign influence. May the Lord grant you grace to perform your role as parents!
The Physical Aspect
Cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness. As a parent, it is also your duty to make provision for your children’s physical needs. They should be neat and adequately clothed for various periods. Ensure that as you appear neat, your children also look neat both at home and everywhere they may be found. They ought to be true representatives of Christ.
1 Timothy 5:8 says: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Your children should be well fed i.e. they should be given balanced diet no matter how small. There is a need for you to supervise their feeding habits.
Also, in their academics, be there to help. Prayerfully help them in their choice of subjects, and ultimately in setting goals in their career. Although these goals may change, but at least they should have one. Discover their best in life and stir them in that direction. Please, don’t force them into your mould because, God may have a totally different plan for them; therefore, encourage them to have Bible-based dreams.
It is also important for you to teach them how to handle money, and be financially accountable. This way, they will not be a disgrace to you in future. Statistics shows that over 90 per cent of the children of wealthy people don’t end up wealthy. Why? They are not taught how to spend money judiciously, so they end up squandering it. Rescue your children now, by teaching them how to spend their money wisely.
In conclusion, the three aspects of lives of the children I have mentioned come in that order of priority: the spiritual need, the emotional need and the physical need. Don’t put all your attention on the physical that is not right; order your priorities correctly. I pray that God will give you the grace to perform so that your children will become responsible adults tomorrow!
Without the help of God, the best of man is still not enough. To enjoy that help in raising your children, you must first accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you would want to receive Him right now, please pray this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
Congratulations, you are now born again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
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