Raising Godly Children

Raising Godly Children

Psalm 127:1-5

Theme: God teaches us how to rear Godly children.

Introduction: When it comes to the subject of children, God has some amazing considerations. Here in this passage God instructs us that children are an heritage of the Lord. In verse 3, the idea is that everything we value or desire is a gift from God.

Admittedly, raising children can be incredibly challenging. A man made a phone call one day to a home where a little boy answered the phone. There was a soft, whispered “hello.” “is your mom there?” “She’s busy.” “Is your father there?” “He’s busy too.” “Is there anyone else there?” Yes, there is a fireman and a police officer.” “Is everything ok?” “Yes.” What are the police and fireman there for? “Looking for me.”

God knows many times our homes are like that. Here are some good instructional considerations in raising children. In fact, many are raising grandchildren as well.

I. Children are given by God

A. Life begins with God

1. In Jeremiah 1:5, life begins with conception. We must turn to understand this truth.

2. The Bible speaks of God knowing us before we were born and He commands us how to live

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:19)

3. Since life begins at conception, God knows our gender, our personality, our natural bents towards certain interests, even our calling

4. God breathed life into the nostrils of man

“And the LordGod formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)

B. They belong to God

1. According to Ezek, children belong to God.

“Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,” (Ezekiel 16:20)

2. God loves them and cares for them and offers to them salvation.

3. In fact, heaven is made up of children

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16)

4. In Psalm 127: 4-God tells us children are reward from God because they belong to Him.

5. We should show them love and respect-one study says that fathers have 2.7 encounters daily with the kids for less than 60 seconds each.

II. We are dependent on God

A. We recognize our authority

1. Except the Lord build the house, this mean God needs to be in the home, not just Sundays but daily and always.

2. Many build their homes without God: they are built on sports, recreation, or empty philosophy—if what is going on at Columbia University where the students are taking over the campus, reflects what they are raised on, our nation is just a few years from destruction.

3. Every child needs a set of principles to live by: respect, integrity, honesty, discipline, and authority.

4. Children are looking for authority and when they look at the 21st century adults, they have learned self is the authority=this is why our society is so confused.

5. Timothy was raised by a Christian mother who taught him about the Lord

“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.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

How well do your children know God? A Sunday School teacher had kids write letters to God: Dear God, I heard Thomas Edison made light, but in Sunday School my teacher said you did. So I bet he stole your idea. Sincerely, Donna

Dear God, In Sunday School they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation? Sincerely Janie.

If you don’t teach them who God is, someone else will teach them who God isn’t.

B. We recognize our responsibility

Leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds, accidents, homicide, and suicide.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1–4)

1. Nurture-training or the process of education

2. Admonition-encouragement and warning—a combination of love, rebuke, and exhortation.

III. They are to live for God

Timothy’s mother exposed him to making the right decisions in life. Many will say, I will let my kids make their own decisions about religion. Ok, let them make their own decision about when they should go to school, what time they want to get up, what meals they eat, and they watch on TV and how long they watch TV or what they want to look at on the internet. No!! They will choose wrong things if they are not instructed on right and wrong. Timothy was exposed to the right things

“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.” (2 Timothy 3:15)

A. Decide about salvation

1. We cannot decide for them but we can expose them to the right influences and opportunities to hear about Jesus.

100% of the time they are not in church is a 100% guarantee they won’t be saved.

2. Having our children in Sunday School and church will expose them to the right influences.

3. They need to the hear the gospel

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)

B. Decide about consecration

1. They need to have a sensitive heart towards the Lord.

2. Their decision should be to follow the Lord in whatever God wants them to do.

3. Totally surrendered to the Lord as God had told him-Hannah gave her son Samuel to the Lord to follow God’s will for his life.

4. The word quiver here in Psalm 127:5 points to the supply of arrows is to be a blessing in time of need-children are to be a blessing to the home

Conclusion: God has given children as a heritage which brings great joy. God commands us to guide their paths to God and His truth.