Psalms 127: 3 says “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him“(NIV) and the commandment to train our kids is a God given commandment.
Start a youth out on his way;
even when he grows old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6, CSB)
Now not many of us know what to teach our children because not many of us are even well trained.
Now these are some lessons that you can teach for your children:
1. Teach them to study ( Proverb 4:7-9).
Teach you kids to study. To study their Bible. I can bet it with you that if they can know all sci-fi movies superheroes, they can know about Joseph, Judah, Jesus, etc., at their tender age.
Teach to study their books.
They should also study to show them approved, a workmanship that is not ashamed.
2. Teach them to seek the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
Teach them to seek the Lord before the ‘evil’ day. Teach them to seek God for every and any of their need because God answers prayers. Let them know truly know we can’t truly make it in life without God. The making of the world is but a facade that most successful individuals without Christ are depressed.
Teach them God diligently reward those who seek Him.
Teach them to seek the Lord in prayer, quiet time and Bible study.
Teach them to ask Him for anything by themselves
3. Teach them what to appreciate. (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The law of transformations asserts that you become what you admire or appreciate.
Teach them to appreciate godly virtues like honesty, hardwork, trust, confidence, etc because they all pay.
Teach them to appreciate godly people, both online and offline.
Teach them to have appreciative words like thank you, well-done, kudos, etc., in their vocabulary even if they are the one doing the job e.g., saying thank you after paying at a restaurant, bus terminal, after paying their tuition fees, after buying stuff for them.
Teach them to appreciate any good things they like in others.
4. Teach me to respect the anointed (Psalm 105:15).
You are anointed as a parent, grandparent or foster parent, teach them to respect you.
Teach them to respect men and women of God in your community and church, in and outside your denomination.
Teach them to respect human beings created in the image of God by respecting individual opinions and freedom to choose.
Teach them that even if the anointed is wrong, it is not in their strength to mete out punishment.
5. Teach them age is not a barrier (Psalm 8:2).
Age is not a barrier to living right. Reinhard Boonke gave his life to Christ aged 9.
Age is not a barrier to hearing the voice of the Lord. Samuel Elkanah was a teenage boy when he first heard the voice of Yahweh.
Age is not a barrier in being what God has ordained them to be. Josiah was 8 years old when he became king.
Age is not a barrier in deciding to live right. Daniel and his three fellow Hebrew boys are all young when they stand against the worship of the golden image.
Age is not a barrier to heeding the call of God. Jesus was but a 12 years old kid when he started debating with the professors and doctors of law inside the synagogue.
6. Teach them to avoid evil company (Proverb 13:20).
Teach them not to associate with Jonadab of 21st century (2 Samuel 13:3-5).
Teach them to shun and unfollow godless celebrities online.
Teach them to abhor the gathering of evil company, tales bearers, back bitters, profane speakers, fools, evil plotters, sinners, etc., because the Almighty will soon destroy their tent.
Teach them to abhor the evil company on social media, phone, internet and different media.
7. Teach by example (Titus 2:7).
You are the first instructional material for your kids for they see what you are doing.
If you want them to seek the Lord, you too seek the Lord. If you want them to be appreciative, you too be. If you want them to shun evil company, you too shun evil company.
If the parents are not following God, what example will the children follow? If your son still sees you chasing after women, how will you expect him to stay away from fornication? If your daughter sees you bribing a teacher for her to pass an exam, how will you teach her about integrity and honesty? Like father like son, like mother like daughter. If you are not yet born again and living holy, it is your example that your children will follow. Show them the way to the Light so that they don’t end up in darkness.
Be their examples in words and in deeds.
Ponder on this: Can you boldly ask your children to copy everything you do, even in secret?
Note: All the points are from Open heavens devotional (June 4 – 10, 2022) by Pastor Enoch Adeboye but the explanation therein is mine.
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