Raising Godly Children

As we reside in a modern day Babylon, how do we fulfill the high calling of the ministry of raising Godly children?

The Blessing of Children - Godly Children

The scriptures say in Psalm 127:3-5 that "children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."

But dull arrows with wild fletching or a damaged nock are not a benefit nor a blessing. Instead, they are a detriment and a curse. It's not simply how many arrows are in your quiver but how many usable, sharp, straight-shooting arrows are there for your defense when the enemy arises.

Many years ago, my wife and I committed our whole life unto the Lord, even the size of our family. Currently in 2024 we have eight children ranging from seventeen years old to our newest addition that's a few months old. I've been asked many times why I would want to bring children into this world as evil as it is. My response is biblically rooted. God has given us plain commands of dominion and procreation. As well, He commands us to prepare for and leave gifts to our immediate and generational offspring. We are commanded to raise those children in the fear and the admonition of the Lord. The scripture is clear, have children and raise them to serve and worship the one true God! One thing that is a catalyst of raising this question is the escapist mentality of fundamental dispensationalism that arose in the late 19th century and is overwhelmingly prevalent in the evangelical landscape in America. But, what if this eschatological novum is wrong? What if the opposite view, the view of the Puritan's that first came to the New World, the view of Jonathan Edwards and many throughout church history, what if Postmillennialism is true?

Planning for Future Generations

As we stand in freedom today, we owe that freedom to those who came before us and laid the foundation. We stand on the shoulders of giants. But what are we intentionally doing to secure this same prosperous, Christ-centered, God-glorifying freedom for those that come behind us? The scriptures declare in Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." That is being fulfilled through the great commission and the preaching of the Gospel. But the first place we ought to preach that Gospel is at home!

Raising Godly Children

So what then? What are we to do?

First, have kids. Have as many as God blesses you with. Secondly, preach the Gospel to yourself every morning and live in its reflection throughout the day. Third, preach and live out the Gospel in front of and to your children! Fourth, pray fervently for the propagation of the Gospel through the lives of your children. Lastly, discipline them in the commands of the Lord as Christ disciplines you.