Children are one of God’s greatest gifts. They bring joy, laughter, unforgettable memories and a richness to life that money and possessions can never provide. Yet parenting is not without its challenges. It requires patience, sacrifice, wisdom and perseverance. As Dr. James Dobson once observed, “Parenting Isn’t for Cowards!” But parenting is also a wonderful adventure when we seek to raise our children God’s way. One of the most important responsibilities of a parent is instruction. While we often associate discipline with correction and punishment, biblical discipline emphasizes training, guidance and the intentional development of godly character. Proverbs 22:6 declares, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (KJV). This verse is not an unconditional guarantee that every child raised in a Christian home will remain faithful to God. Proverbs presents principles of wisdom, not promises that eliminate human choice.
Rather, this verse reminds us that the spiritual instruction and example children receive profoundly influence the people they become. The Hebrew expression translated “train up” carries the idea of initiating or dedicating someone to a particular way. Applied to parenting, it reminds us that raising godly children involves much more than taking them to church, teaching Bible stories or correcting misbehavior. It means intentionally cultivating within them a desire to know God and walk in His ways. The greatest spiritual gift we can give our children is a heart that genuinely hungers for God. How can we help cultivate that hunger?
First, let your children see your own hunger for God. Allow them to observe you reading Scripture, praying, worshipping and living out your faith. Our example often teaches more powerfully than our words.
Second, emphasize God's love and grace. Children need to understand that God loves them even when they fail. Teach them that obedience is not a way to earn God's love but a response to the love He has already shown them.
Third, make Scripture personal and meaningful. When teaching Psalm 23, ask your children what it means for God to be their Shepherd. Help them understand how His presence gives comfort when they are afraid.
Fourth, teach them to pray honestly. Encourage them to talk with God about their fears, joys, questions, and everyday concerns. Prayer should be a genuine relationship, not merely a religious routine.
Fifth, connect faith to everyday life. Take every opportunity to highlight God’s work.
Sixth, cultivate spiritual hunger without creating spiritual pressure. There is a difference between inviting children to know God and demanding that they perform spiritually to earn our approval.
And finally, make room for the Holy Spirit to work in your child’s heart because everything that needs to be done in your child’s heart must be done by God. Parents can teach, guide, model, and pray, but only God can transform a heart.
Our responsibility is to faithfully sow the seeds of faith while trusting Him to bring the growth.
