By bro Lee Tian Seng
Knowing the challenges of raising godly children in this ungodly world, we should be wise in how we develop a plan to achieve our goals. What should we use as a guide in developing a plan?
Some choose to follow human theories or wisdom. For example, experts like child psychologists, sociologists, government officials, social agencies, and parenting/ child experts. They are human, and therefore fallible and liable to making mistakes. As some are not Christians, their advice may go against the teaching of God. We need to be wary when reading or learning from these experts.
Others learn from their parents through seeing how they raise children or by asking them for advice. The truth is that most of us unknowingly learn parenting skills from our parents. Parents, like worldly experts, are human, and they can give wrong advice on how we should raise godly children.
We cannot use worldly wisdom as our guide to raise godly children because the world is opposed to God and His teaching. The world seeks to draw us away from God.
1 John 2:15-16 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Human wisdom may seem right and good for us, however such wisdom does not lead us to God and eternal life in Christ, but results in death.
Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
It is not an adequate guide for raising godly children because only God’s wisdom, which is His Word, can show us the excellent and heavenly way. Therefore, we should seek God’s wisdom than man’s wisdom as our guide.
Jeremiah 10:23 - O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
When we use the Word of God as our guide and authority in raising godly children, we will be able to do a good work, since God’s Word equips man to do good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We will also achieve success in raising godly children if we follow God’s way of teaching and training our children. When we use worldly wisdom, we will have worldly success, not the success that God wants. Remember that our goal is to teach our children the Gospel so that they have the promise of eternal life!
Joshua 1:8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
We can also learn from the Bible how God, our Heavenly Father, cares for and teaches His children. God teaches that fathers should provide for the needs of their children. Jesus said that when we pray, God will give to us as a father would give to a son.
Matthew 7:9-11 - Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
God also teaches that fathers should discipline their children when they disobey or misbehave. The Bible tells us that our Heavenly Father disciplines us when we sin, just as it is expected of a father.
Hebrews 12:5-7 - And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
With much prayers and God’s guidance, we can raise our children to be faithful Christians and good people. Just as in any godly endeavour, whether in being a better husband or wife, or better in the work of preaching the Gospel to our friends, we need to have confidence that it can be done. That confidence is in Christ.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.