Untitled Sermon

Good morning, Church!

Today, we are going to dive into a powerful, yet often overlooked, responsibility—one that is so foundational to the life of a believer, but sometimes burdensome in its weight. That is the calling of parents to raise children who know the Lord, love the Lord, and walk in His ways. As we walk through the wisdom of Proverbs, we will see the sacred duty parents have in shaping the hearts of their children, not just in behavior but in faith.

We all know that raising children in a fallen world is a challenge. The culture around us is often more likely to pull our children away from Christ than draw them closer. Yet, Proverbs is full of guidance for us as parents, offering wisdom on how to navigate the complexities of parenting and point our children toward the Lord. It doesn’t promise perfection or easy answers, but it provides us with the tools and principles to help us cultivate a godly home.

Let’s begin by looking at some key verses that speak to the duties of parents in raising children who will walk by faith in Christ.

1. The Foundation: A Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

The foundation of all true wisdom, and indeed all faithful parenting, is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the starting point for everything—knowledge, wisdom, understanding. It’s not merely a respect or awe, but a reverence that shapes our lives and directs our paths.

As parents, our first duty is to cultivate this fear of the Lord in our own hearts. Children are like sponges—they absorb what they see in us. If they see us honoring the Lord, trusting His Word, and living according to His commands, they will begin to internalize that same fear of the Lord. But if they see us neglecting our faith, living with a practical disregard for God’s wisdom, or treating Him as an afterthought, they will learn that as well.

The beginning of raising children who have faith in Christ starts with us being people who fear the Lord ourselves. This means regularly seeking the Lord in prayer, studying His Word, and living a life that reflects the truth of the gospel. Children need to see what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.

2. The Duty of Instruction: Teaching Wisdom and Truth (Proverbs 22:6)

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

This verse is often quoted, but it's vital that we understand the depth of what it means to “train up” a child. The word “train” carries the idea of shaping, guiding, and intentionally influencing a child’s life. It’s not just about teaching them right from wrong; it’s about imparting wisdom and truth that will lead them to know Christ and to walk in His ways.

The process of training up a child requires consistent effort, discipline, and patience. This is more than just having Bible stories or moral lessons. This is about establishing a rhythm of life where the wisdom of God is woven into the fabric of the family. It’s about teaching them not just facts, but also the heart behind those facts. We must help them understand that the Bible isn’t just a rulebook, but a revelation of who God is, His love for them, and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

This is a holistic approach. It’s teaching our children about God’s character, His holiness, and His love for sinners. It’s showing them the value of prayer, of worship, and of living according to the gospel. It’s guiding them in understanding their need for a Savior and pointing them to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.

3. The Heart: Guarding the Heart of Your Child (Proverbs 4:23)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

In Proverbs 4:23, we are given one of the most crucial pieces of wisdom for both parents and children: Guard your heart. This is not just a verse about external behavior—it’s about the internal life. The heart is the wellspring of life. All our actions, decisions, and desires flow out of it. If we are to raise children who have faith in Christ, we must be diligent about guarding their hearts.

This means teaching them not just to follow external rules, but to understand the internal motivations behind their actions. We need to help our children develop a heart for God—a heart that desires to love Him and serve Him. This is the role of discipleship: nurturing the heart, teaching the gospel, and helping children see that what matters most in life is not outward success or behavior, but a heart that loves and worships God.

Guarding a child’s heart also involves protecting them from influences that might lead them away from God’s truth. This might mean setting boundaries on what they watch, the friends they associate with, or the values they adopt from the world. It’s not about sheltering them from everything, but rather about teaching them to be discerning and wise in a culture that pulls them in many different directions.

*Teach the value of a restrained tongue.                                                                                                                >Prov. 21.23 – Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps                                                                             himself out of trouble.                                                                                                                                            >Talk to them about the fact that since they were a little kids, mom                                                               and dad have been helping them to talk in a loving way to their                                                                    brothers and sisters and other family members.                                                                                                  >This is because words can hurt and words can get out of control.                                                               >Ask your son or daughter if they know of people who have been                                                           hurt by things that were said online about them.                                                                                                                  >Help them make the connection between all of this.                                                   

4. The Goal: Raising a Child Who Fears the Lord (Proverbs 9:10)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Ultimately, the goal of all our parenting, all our instruction, all our discipline is to raise children who fear the Lord, who know Him personally, and who place their trust in Him. This kind of wisdom is more than intellectual knowledge—it’s a relational, transformational wisdom that comes from a deep understanding of who God is and what He has done for us in Christ.

Raising children to know and love Christ is not about trying to make them “good people” or “successful” in the world’s eyes. It’s about leading them to a faith that transforms their hearts and minds. It’s about helping them see that true success in life is measured by their relationship with Christ and their commitment to live according to His Word.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on the duties of parents according to Proverbs, we are reminded that the most important work we do as parents is not to ensure our children have the best education or the most comfortable life. The most important work we do is to raise them to have faith in Christ. This starts with us—living out the fear of the Lord in our own lives, teaching them God’s wisdom, guarding their hearts, and pointing them to the Savior who is the source of all wisdom.

Parenting is a sacred trust, and we must recognize the gravity of our calling. But we do not do it alone. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, God’s Word to instruct us, and the example of Christ to inspire us. So, let us be faithful, knowing that our labor is not in vain.

Let’s pray together.