Raising children in the knowledge of God is a sacred responsibility and an incredible privilege. By teaching them God’s Word, modeling Christlike behavior, fostering their personal relationship with God, and trusting in His promises, we can help lay a foundation of faith that will guide them throughout their lives.
[00:00:00] The Bible Speaks
[00:00:38] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host, Elgin Carelock.
[00:00:42] The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,
[00:00:49] rightly dividing the word of truth and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.
[00:00:55] You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast.
[00:01:00] And now, here's Elgin.
[00:01:03] President and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
[00:01:10] to another edition of Words of Inspiration, where we explore the practical application
[00:01:17] of biblical principles in our everyday lives.
[00:01:22] Today we're going to talk about one of the most important responsibilities that God has entrusted to us,
[00:01:30] Christian Parenting.
[00:01:32] Specifically, we will be discussing the significance of raising your child with the knowledge of God,
[00:01:39] guided by wisdom found in Proverbs 22 verse 6.
[00:01:46] And reading from the New International Version, it says,
[00:01:51] Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.
[00:02:00] This verse is a cornerstone for Christian parents, emphasizing the long lasting impact of Godly upbringing.
[00:02:08] It's a reminder that the foundation we lay in our children's lives will influence them for years to come,
[00:02:16] even into adulthood.
[00:02:19] But what does it truly mean to start children off on the way they should go?
[00:02:25] And how do we implement it in our homes?
[00:02:30] First and foremost, raising children in the knowledge of God means making the Bible a central part of their lives.
[00:02:39] Deuteronomy 6 verses 6 through 7 instructs us,
[00:02:45] These commandments that I give you today are to be in your hearts.
[00:02:50] Impress them on your children.
[00:02:52] Talk about them when you sit at home,
[00:02:54] and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.
[00:03:01] This passage underscores the importance of integrating God's word into the daily rhythms of life,
[00:03:08] whether it through family devotions, Bible bedtime stories,
[00:03:14] or discussing spiritual truth during everyday activities,
[00:03:18] we must ensure that our children grow up with a strong understanding of Scripture.
[00:03:24] This not only builds their knowledge, but also helps them develop a biblical worldview
[00:03:30] and equipping them to navigate life's challenges with God's wisdom.
[00:03:36] As parents, we are always praying for our child to do the right thing or make the right decision.
[00:03:46] Having them understand the heart of God and God's purpose for our lives,
[00:03:52] and God's will for our lives,
[00:03:55] the importance of understanding that Jesus needs to lead our lives
[00:04:00] and the Holy Spirit will give us guidance straight from heaven.
[00:04:06] It is those keys that make it easier for your child to make the right decision.
[00:04:14] We are there to provide for them, to be their guide,
[00:04:18] to help them have knowledge that grows to understanding and that grows to wisdom.
[00:04:24] And having God at the center of that is the beginning of the life that we all dream for our children to have.
[00:04:32] But we have to remember that children learn more from what we do than what we say.
[00:04:40] As parents, our actions often speak louder than our words.
[00:04:44] Therefore, modeling Christlike behavior is crucial in teaching our children about God.
[00:04:51] When we live out our faith through love, kindness, forgiveness and humility,
[00:04:57] we provide a powerful example for our children to follow.
[00:05:02] Ephesians 6 verse 4 advises,
[00:05:06] Our children are constantly watching us, how we handle stress, how we handle each other,
[00:05:34] how we prioritize our relationship with God,
[00:05:38] all leaving long lasting impressions.
[00:05:46] By striving to live in a way that honors God,
[00:05:50] we help our children understand what it means to live a life dedicated to Him.
[00:05:56] Beyond teaching and modeling,
[00:05:59] it's essential to encourage our children to develop their own personal relationship with God.
[00:06:05] This involves creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions,
[00:06:11] expressing doubts and seeking God on their own terms.
[00:06:16] Prayer is a powerful tool in this process.
[00:06:20] Philippians 4 verse 6 encourages us,
[00:06:24] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.
[00:06:32] Present your requests to God.
[00:06:36] Teaching your children to pray and showing them how to rely on God in all circumstances
[00:06:42] helps them build a personal connection with Him.
[00:06:46] Additionally, involving them in church activities, youth groups
[00:06:51] and service projects can help nurture their spiritual growth.
[00:06:55] When children experience the joy of worshiping,
[00:06:58] serving others and being part of a faith community,
[00:07:02] they begin to see the value of their relationship with God
[00:07:07] beyond what they learn at home.
[00:07:10] I remember when my wife and I used to be a part of a feeding ministry
[00:07:16] when we lived in Atlanta, Georgia
[00:07:19] and on any given Saturday we would feed between three and four hundred people.
[00:07:25] We used to take our children with us because we wanted them to have more understanding
[00:07:32] and compassion and empathy for those who were less fortunate by being there,
[00:07:40] by them seeing them and interacting with them.
[00:07:43] You know they begin to understand that they were people just like we were people
[00:07:47] and that there were situations and circumstances that caused them to be homeless
[00:07:53] or not have enough food to eat.
[00:07:55] And that God blessed us and gave us the privilege of being able to serve them.
[00:08:02] Proverbs 22 verse 6 reminds us that if we start our children on the right path,
[00:08:09] they will not depart from it when they are older.
[00:08:12] However, this doesn't mean that there won't be challenges
[00:08:16] or that our children will never stray.
[00:08:18] But it does offer a promise that the seeds of faith we plan
[00:08:23] will continue to influence them throughout their lives.
[00:08:27] As parents, it's vital to trust God's faithfulness
[00:08:31] knowing that he loves our children even more than we do.
[00:08:34] Our role is to faithfully plan and water seeds of faith
[00:08:39] while trusting God to bring the growth and fulfillment of his promise.
[00:08:45] I thank you for joining me on today and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.
[00:08:52] Until then, God bless.
[00:08:59] The Bible Speaks is sponsored by C-squared Realty
[00:09:04] and New Gen Construction Group
[00:09:06] to help spread the gospel to the corners of the earth.
[00:09:11] If anything you've heard poured into your life, please share it with someone.
[00:09:17] You can find the Bible Speaks on Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and many more.
[00:09:26] Follow us on YouTube at the Bible Speaks online.
[00:09:31] You may contact Elgin at PO Box 5582 or California 34478
[00:09:42] or by email at thebiblespeaksonlineatgmail.com