Raising Children in the Lord
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3 (KJV)
Children are one of the greatest assets in life because once you are gone, they live on.
And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head…. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever. I Samuel 1:11, 20-22 (KJV)
Hannah wanted a child. She said that if God would give her a child she would give the child to the Lord. And she did just that. We must dedicate our children to God, even as newborns. God knows His plan for them (Psalm 139). My grandfather dedicated me to God as a newborn child and I have served God many years now. I am not my own- I choose to give myself to Jesus daily. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord and he grew up to be a judge and prophet in Israel. Each child has a calling, a gift and anointing on their life. Parents must seek God to identify what it is so they can help develop their child’s specific gifts for their calling.
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. II Timothy 1:5 (KJV)
This shows us the importance of giving our children a godly heritage. Timothy’s grandmother instilled in Timothy’s mother a faith in God, and they instilled it in Timothy. We must teach our children and grandchildren how to live for God, showing them His ways, so they will know and live for Him and not themselves. Timothy went on to be the pastor of the church in Ephesus, which had at least 20,000 members. His years of development by his grandmother and mother prepared him for this.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. II Timothy 3;15 (KJV)
From a child, Timothy learned the Scriptures which gave Him wisdom to be saved and to be and do all Christ intended. Paul went on to tell him that the Scriptures are profitable to instruct and mature us to do God’s work.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. I Timothy 4:12-16 (KJV)
Paul told Timothy not to allow anyone to judge him negatively based on his youth. We are not to despise our own youth, but grow up in Christ. Paul told Timothy to be an example, despite his young age. He instructed him to read the Word, to teach it to others, and meditate upon he had learned. Mediate means to think it over in your mind and speak it to yourself. He was told to give himself wholly to the Scriptures, to God, to his gift, and to ministry. Don’t neglect your gift, but develop and use it. Stay in the Word so others will see you profit from it. These are things to follow as we raise our children for God.
Our children and the youth are important to God and to us. Give them the best godly instruction and example that you can so they can become their best.
