Raising Godly Children In An Ungodly World. What To do When Your Child Don't Want Your Christ

This hub highlights some key points on the topic of "Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World". Also, it examines the fact that godly parents can sometimes have ungodly children.

Believers today face great challenges in the world when it comes to how we raise our children. We are challenged by society at large; government, family members, the school system, the social media, to name a few. These different forces sometimes intentionally seek to undermine our effort to train our children up in the way of the Lord just as the bible in (Deuteronomy 11:18) commands we do.

Our children are bombarded from every angle with everything that is contrary to what the bible teaches. With so many illicit and sinful behaviors in public display in both our schools and in the media, they are faced with very difficult situations today than we ever experienced in our generation. It always seems that as soon as we overcome in one area, there comes another challenge as we turn the corner.

But despite all these challenges that our children face, we can't just throw in the towel. It is our responsibility as christian parents to press on and continue in that which we have been taught and have received, and to pass it on to our children.

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So how do we as believers do this, how do we raise our children for Christ?

Make no mistake. It takes more than passing on some Sunday school lessons, or dragging our children along every time we go to bible study. Taking our children to church is a start. But we also need to teach our children the scriptures, and we definitely need to teach them by example.

So we teach our children

• by teaching them the scriptures, (let them know that it is the holy word of God, inspired by His Holy Spirit)
• by living what we preach/teach. Live by example,
• by living a life of prayer, and
• by living a life of faith.

Let us examine these points one at a time.

Remember, the bible says "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). This means we are to do everything in our power, through Godly wisdom to impact our children for Christ, and impart to them what we have been taught. This means we engage them in scriptural teachings, and help them memorize bible verses. This gives our children a foundation in the scripture and also helps them to know from a very young age the plans that God has in store for them.

Let us take a cue from the Jewish religion and the Muslims. These two religious sects are well known for teaching their off-springs everything that's been passed down from generation to generation. Their children don't really have a choice as they are taught to learn, practice, and follow in the traditions of those who have gone before them. They are taught their religious doctrines right from a very early age.

Christians (Evangelicals and Pentecostals), on the other hand seems to have gradually moved away from this practice of imparting our beliefs, faith, and doctrines to our children. In His teachings, our Lord Jesus Christ emphasized that we begin teaching our children about Him when they are young. Matthew 19:14 "Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

My fellow believers, let us raise our children in God's word. If that same Word that transformed us and gave us eternal life was good enough and still good enough for us, then it sure is good enough for our children.

Take the example of Timothy, the young preacher in the bible. Brother Paul, the apostle, was able to say this of him, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelled first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in you also."2 Timothy 1:5. He was raised by his mother and grand-mother, both of whom imparted to him the teaching of God's word and showed him by example how to live by faith.

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A great number of children have gone astray because they have so called christian parents who do not live by what they preach. Their parent's life exemplifies everything but Christ. This sort of lifestyles sends mixed messages to our children and causes their faith to waver as they have not really seen Christ's ability to make a real difference as seen through the life of their parents. These children are therefore easily able to be influenced by society and peers. But when our lifestyle fits with our testimony of a life that's been redeemed and forgiven, we are well able to influence those around us for good, including our children.

In my household, every morning when my family wakes up at 5 a.m., the first thing we do before anything else is to gather together in the living room (our family altar) for a time of sharing scripture texts (which exposes us to the doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ) and prayer. We then commit our day into God's able hand, encouraging each other to walk in God's love, and also praying for family members, friends, and neighbors.

This has been our practice even before our children were born. As the children grew up and asked questions, they have come to realize why we do what we do, and have come to embrace it. Now that they have accepted Christ as their Lord and personal savior, it has become a way of life for them.

What our children observe in us speaks more to them than what we say. Thus the saying, "Actions speaks louder than words". Let us live by examples so we can leave behind, a legacy that's worth emulating. Our children's ability to navigate life's trying events will be better determined by their spiritual values, and the wisdom that comes from God above.

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Many a christian parent would rather do a lot of talking than a lot of praying when it comes to their children. I'm sometimes guilty of this. Talking is good, but there are times we just need to saturate our kid's life with prayer. As we do this, our children will be guided by God's Holy Spirit in making decisions that will glorify God even in the midst of peer pressure and very difficult circumstances.

What To Pray For?

When it come to our children we should not be at loss for what to pray for as we love them and we want the best for them. Here are a few things you can pray for as you pray for your children:

• Pray for them as they head out to school, or go over to a friend for a sleep over.
• Pray that they will choose good over evil, that they will shine in the midst of darkness, that they will allow Christ to rule in their hearts.
• Pray for their choice of friends, career choice, thoughts on life in general.
• Pray for their choice of a lifetime partner, and, you can start from when they are in the womb, or once they are born.
• Pray for their sound mind, that Christ will rule in their heart by faith.
• And most importantly, Pray for their salvation. That they will come to know and embrace the love of Christ that exceeds all understanding.
• Pray that they will live a life marked by righteousness and purity as they strive to live for Christ.

There is no limit to what you can pray for or how soon you can start praying for your children.

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"Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

There are children of great men of God, true believers who have gone away from the church. Does that mean that those parents did not live by example, or pray enough. No, Absolutely not!

• Your children may not reflect all that you've thought them, still have faith that they will some day reflect Christ.
• Your children may sometimes speak against Christ and may even be out of the church, still, have faith that they will one day stand on the Lord's side.

Sometimes our faith may be tested in the form of our children going in the wrong direction. Still, we have to keep living by example, praying without ceasing, and then hope in the power of God to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we've prayed for, that is, bring them back from their wanderings.

For without faith it is impossible for us as believers to please God. So as you live by example and daily prayer, you also have to live by faith, and hope that God will perfect that which concerns you and your children .

Our children see the world first through our eyes. Let us not forget to teach them what matters. We don't want to be guilty of that before The Great Judge. What a blessing it is to have young ones loving and living for Christ!

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©Comfort Babatola - Updated February 2013