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Raising Godly children— children who are strong in Christian values—have become more challenging than ever in today’s world, whose culture has completely become opposed to God. As Christian parents, our responsibility is not only to raise children who are academically and financially successful, but who are also godly—who esteem and follow the ways of God, despite the distractions, temptations, and pressures of the world’s culture. The Bible makes this responsibility clear in Proverbs 22:6:
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Raising Godly children is not about isolating them from the world; it is about equipping them with the tools, values, and faith they need to face the world. Your child has a future, but what that future will look like depends largely on the foundations laid during their upbringing. Christian parents must be intentional to provide godly training for their children, so that they can grow to reflect Christ and bring His glory.
In this article, I looked into the overarching interest of God in the Christian home —which is raising Godly children, and 7 crucial training for shaping your kids’ faith.
You should also read: Honoring Your Spouse As Heirs Together of the Grace of Eternal Life
The Family as the God Ordained Place for Raising Godly Children
Family is God’s idea and ordination, not man’s. This must be the start point of any conversation about family. Family is not a creation of philosophy, science, or social media. It was God’s creation. At the time when Adam was the only human on earth, he didn’t even know that anything was amiss. It was God who saw that his aloneness was not good, and moved to make the woman for him (Genesis 2:18–23).
Now, God doesn’t create without purpose. So, there are predefined purposes for the marriage and family institutions. And, as believers, the first step to having a family is not finding a lady or man; it is learning why God ordained family. Otherwise, we will run our homes against God’s ordination, according to our carnal ideas and preferences.
Now, God has revealed these things clearly in His word.
Raising Godly Children: God’s Overarching Interest in the Family
At weddings conducted in church, three things are usually read as the purposes for marriage, and all are biblical. First is mutual companionship, help, and comfort which husband and wife ought to give to each other (Genesis 2:18). Second is to encourage a lifestyle of chastity so that those not gifted to be continent can marry and thus keep themselves holy (1 Corinthians 7:1-5).
But these two are for the benefit of husbands and wives, not God. It is the third purpose that is God’s actual gain in marriage—raising Godly children. This is God’s overarching interest in every marriage—godly children, who are nurtured in His fear or honor, and live for His glory. All Christian parents must pay attention to this!
Malachi 2:15:
“Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union…” [NLT]
When people think that their marriage is all about them, they run it to suit their selfish interests. For example, they can choose to walk out of the marriage. But marriage is about God’s interest, not ours. This must sink deep into our minds as Christian parents. There is that which God seeks in our marriages—Godly children.
God ordained families for raising humans in a systematic way, after His kind. God could have created all of us at once. But He didn’t. Instead, He created the order of family, so that all humans can have belongingness and people to labor over them, for their formation.
Family is God’s wisdom to give humans form. Family is for the purpose of formation. God didn’t design humans to grow outside the family. When people grow outside of the established order of family, they grow wild, because they miss the supplies necessary for them to be well formed. And, it is why satan is attacking the family institution and promoting disunity among couples—to corrupt the products. Dysfunctional families can only produce dysfunctional humans, who are ready army for satan, except God’s mercy reroutes their journeys.
God’s overarching interest in our homes is not the houses or cars we amass, but Godly children—humans who are raised after His kind. Through marriage, God employs Christian parents to help Him raise and multiply His kind on earth. We are to have children and raise them to become Godly humans. Our home ought to be a discipleship center—for raising Godly children. We ought to be our children’s disciple-makers. They should not have to look outside for models.
Years back, the news of the troubled marriage of a Christian celebrity couple hit social media, and someone wrote that if that marriage breaks, he will never believe in love again. What that implies is that his parents failed in their assignment of modeling the right ways to him.
The Syllabus for the Training of Godly Children.
It is imperative to know what Godly training for children entails. Otherwise, we will give them every other training, except the very ones that matter. I am going to outline 7 crucial training for raising Godly children, and explain them briefly.
1. Training for Godly Children Entails Giving them the Faith
The first crucial training for raising Godly children is our faith—the Christian faith. We have the responsibility to pass on the faith once delivered to the saints to our children.
2 Timothy 1:5:
“As I think of your strong faith that was passed down through your family line. It began with your grandmother Lois, who passed it on to your dear mother, Eunice. And it’s clear that you too are following in the footsteps of their godly example.” [TPT]
This is the foundation for training Godly children. Every other thing that we will teach them—life, money, relationships, etc., must be through the worldview of the Christian faith.
Christian parents must make all efforts to pass their faith to our children. Nigeria’s Southwestern people have a saying that a deity not shown to children will become extinct. The continuity of Christianity after us depends on how serious we take the discipleship of our children today. Our biggest success as Christian parents will be that our children walk in the same truths that we walked in. Apostle John commended a Christian woman in 2 John 1:4:
“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.”
This will take intentionality. We must not hope that our children will find the path on their own. They may not. We must set them on the course that they should follow. Proverbs 22:6 says:
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” [NLT]
The world is fast slipping into Godlessness. It seeks to erase God, and promote anti-God ideas, e.g. homosexuality, using every medium—music, movies, school, etc. And, if it is this bad today, then it will be far worse by the time our children become adults. If we are not intentional about planting Christ in them, they will be swept away by the deluge.
Intentionality! This word is key to raising Godly children. There is a very sad situation that we must address. It has been observed that as Christians prosper and go higher, we make our faith less obvious. We act lesser like Christians to fit into the circles we are in. Muslims don’t do such. They take their faith seriously. As they rise, they take their faith with them. No matter how rich they are, they plant their faith in their children. Their children must take Quranic classes, even with beating. It is why it is difficult to convert Muslims.
As a child, I attended Bible Club every Sunday afternoon after church. Where are such clubs now? And, we wonder why our children now attend night clubs? Christian parents must be serious about raising Godly children. And, it starts from home, not church, through:
- Morning and evening family altar, where we pray and teach the Bible to them.
- Special meetings, where we pray with and teach them the Bible. E.g. on weekends.
- Teach them about salvation. Break down salvation messages to them. They can grasp it. It is not as complex as coding. Explain:
- The fall in Adam, and its effects—spiritual death, moral depravity, and eternal damnation.
- Christ’s eternal sacrifice for salvation.
- How to be saved.
- The fruits and gifts of the Spirit.
- The Bible as God’s Word, and its authoritativeness.
- Etc.
- Always take them to church with you. Let them see you serving and worshiping the Lord.
- Teach them the necessity of serving the Lord and the saints in church.
We must labor more to give them quality spiritual education, than school education. It will be their stability in this slippery end-time world.
2. Training for Godly Children Entails Teaching them to Trust in God
A second crucial training for raising Godly children is to teach them to trust God. We must train our children to put their trust in God, not in us (Psalm 78:1-7).
We must be careful not to raise our children to think that we can satisfy them. Never promise what is not within your power. Only God satisfies. You cannot! Don’t parade yourself like the El-Shaddai to them. We must let them see our limitations and vulnerability, and our own dependence on God.
When there are needs in the home, we should tell them. We must be careful not to pretend to them like the world is a perfect place. No, the world is not. And, it is better that we let them know at home, where we can guide them correctly, than for them to find out by themselves later in life. When there are needs in the home, don’t be quick to borrow to meet the needs because you don’t want them to suffer. Lead them to pray. And, when God answers the prayers, share the testimony with them. This will set their minds on God, and help them develop trust in Him.
Also, don’t raise them to think you will always be with them. Only God is forever. Teach them that you won’t live forever, that someday, you will die and live them. Prepare them for the reality of your death. And, teach them the ever abiding presence of their true Father—God. That way, you will raise strong children who can live on and flourish after you, and not crash.
We have seen and heard of children who crashed after their parents’ death. Some even turned against God, and became atheists.
3. The Training of Godly Children Entails Teaching them to Pray
The culture of prayer is a crucial culture that we must pass to our children. We must train our children to pray, and to fast. This is an essential part of the training of Godly children. This is the greatest empowerment we can ever give them—not leaving them shares in companies. Earthly riches are uncertain. Apostle Paul warns in 1 Timothy 6:17:
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
Teach your children how to pray and fast. Prayer is learned!
Luke 11:1-2:
1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say…”
Don’t only pray for and over your children. It is good to do that. But it is more beneficial to them to teach them to pray. Why?
You won’t always be around to pray for them (Matthew 9:14-15). And, even if you are around, there will be issues that they can’t share with you, but which requires supernatural intervention. You can’t meet all their needs, or solve all their problems.
But through prayer, they can make things happen for themselves. Teach them how to pray, and what to pray for. Teach them they can talk to God about anything, the way they can’t do to you. And, teach them the assurance of having answers through the name of Jesus.
4. The Training of Godly Children Entails Honor for God & People
A fourth crucial training for raising Godly children is training them to honor God and people. Build the culture of honor in your children—first honor for God.
Psalm 34:11:
“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to revere and worshipfully fear the Lord.” [AMPC]
Our children won’t just stumble on reverence for God by accident. We must train them for it. We must train them:
- How to behave during worship, at home and in church.
- To honor God with their words, never to jest with the name of God or the things of the Spirit.
- To honor God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).
- To honor God with their finances (Proverbs 3:9).
Then, we must train them to honor people. We are raising Christians. And, honor is a Christian virtue (Romans 12:10). Don’t follow the mantra that Gen Zs are naturally rude. No child is born with respect or rudeness. It is training or the lack of it that makes a child respectful or rude.
Train them in:
- The language of honor.
- The attitude of honor.
- The actions of honor.
- Etc.
We must teach them that honoring people must never be based on what they have or don’t have. They must honor all people because all humans are made in the image of God, and are image of God (Genesis 1:26).
5. The Training of Godly Children Should Entail Contentment
This is a very crucial training for raising Godly children— contentment. This is another trait of Godly people. Therefore, train your children in contentment. I repeat, this is crucial!
We are living at a time when lack of contentment and greed have become a norm. This is the root of the misappropriation of public funds by politicians, government officials, and civil servants. It is the root of internet fraud which has taken over our country like a wildfire, such that almost every young person is into it. But the Holy Spirit warns us in 1 Timothy 6:6-8:
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Contrary to some thoughts, contentment isn’t being lethargic about living. It is not accepting any level of life as fate, and so not pushing to for a better life. Rather, contentment is being thankful for every level you are in, and living within the means of that level, while you are believing God for better things. Teach this to your children.
Teach your children never to live by begging. It is demeaning. Teach them to never live on borrowing, except to finance a business. The Bible warns that the borrower is a servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
Train them to work with their hands, and to live within their means and God’s provisions at every point. Teach them frugality, to never be wasteful (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
6. The Training of Godly Children Should Entail Hard-work
This is another crucial content of the training of Godly children. Teach your children the beauty of work. Work is a Christian virtue. It is not an aftereffect of sin. It is God’s ordination to transfer the wealth of the earth to humans. And, all Godly people are workers and hard-workers (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12).
Teach your children to never be idle at any point. The Bible sternly warns believers against idleness.
Proverbs 19:15
“Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.”
Proverbs 10:4:
“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Teach them that they should take even seemingly “undignifying” works, as long as it will pay them, while they are trusting in God for better jobs. Teach them to never be ashamed of any work. And, teach them to work with faithfulness and excellence. Faithfulness and excellence attract great rewards.
7. The Training of Godly Children Should Entail Morality
This is crucial for raising Godly children. Teach your children morality. The chief visible evidence that a person belongs to Christ in this sin-soaked, morally decaying world is holiness. Morality is practical holiness. Therefore, teach your children morality. Teach them to live holy, just as God’s Word commanded (1 Corinthians 6:12-13).
Teach your children that:
- Sex before or outside of marriage is sin against God.
- Cohabiting with a person they are not married to is sin.
- Dressing in the attire of a harlot is dishonoring to the God who owns their bodies.
- Taking alcohol and drugs are abuses of their God owned bodies, and can shorten their lives.
- Using foul words and singing ungodly songs are sins (Matthew 12: 36, GNT).
You should also read: HEIRS TOGETHER OF GRACE: SEEING MARRIAGE THROUGH THE LENS OF REDEMPTION
In conclusion, raising godly children in today’s morally decaying world is not an easy task, but it is a sacred responsibility entrusted to all Christian parents. The 7 crucial trainings we have explored are not optional but vital foundations that will shape your child’s faith for life.
When you intentionally sow God’s Word into their hearts, model Christ-like living, and train them in righteousness, you equip them to stand firm against the pressures of the world. Remember, your consistent prayers, example, and teachings today will echo in their lives tomorrow.
As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” By God’s grace, your faithful efforts will not be in vain, but will raise children who shine as lights for Christ in a dark generation.
If this article has encouraged you, share it with another parent who desires to raise godly children. You can also subscribe to our blog for more biblical insights and practical guides on Christian parenting. Together, we can raise a generation that stands firm in faith and glorifies God.
