Bringing Up Godly Children

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
​Can someone tell me when we forgot to do this? Can someone explain to me what happened in this country, this world on which we currently reside? Where did parents go wrong? Is it really the parents fault? When did the media influence outweigh the parental? These are some questions pastors are asking their staff and other church leaders to get a handle on what to do to bring children of all ages back to Christ. 

I was brought up in a broken (but still together) Christian home. While one stopped attending due to the hypocrisy of the church the other continued and I went along. The marriage ended not too long after celebrating 25 years.  My family from my youth included those who surrounded me with the Love of Christ which was the best thing to ever happen to me. I am not perfect and have made mistakes that helped me grow, but I am thankful that my parents had shown me both sides so I could discern right from wrong. 

​When reading Proverbs 22:6 I ask myself, "Did I bring up my kids in in the way God wants me to?". I would hope that I can answer yes and by the way my children have acted I can say that I have done my best. I wonder what would have happened if I did not raise them with an understanding of discernment between right and wrong how they would have turned out? My guess is not so good because of the challenges that come from media, peer pressure to make life choices, and other secular influences which rot at the heart of the youth. We see so much violence and sexual influences in the mass media that it is difficult to shield their minds and hearts from wondering about those sinfully natured things. Money, the need to fit in, and peer influences are dangers that can be avoided when an understanding of Godly control over those secular influences is taught from a young age. Good moral lessons and work ethics instilled in our youth can make a person understand the need for volunteerism and working to earn a living and the respect of others instead of becoming thieves, murderers, and entitlement seekers.

​Brothers and Sisters look at our world today. The influence of sin is too great on our youth. The first fault does lie on the parents. If they instructed the child right through godly teachings without force feeding religion, then maybe we could have avoided some of the youth becoming popular in death and reasons for others to turn to violent fractionated behaviorisms. Racism was on a downhill slide, yes for the most part we had defeated it and now we have gone back 270 years. But those acting out and calling others racist are racist themselves. The media has influenced sexual immoral behavior through the celebrity. Songs that our youth have access to speak of desires and lustful behaviors. We parents must be vigilant in teaching our youth discernment to understand what is deemed godly, Christ-like behavior and what is not.

​So what do we do? How do we get the youth out of this fantasy? Treat them as a Prodigal? Yes. If they come back then we can hope they want to be forgiven. Remind them, love them as Jesus loves us. Get them to open, read, and understand what they have done. Ensure their heart is truly a repentant one. Be stern yet helpful. Teach them right and they will remember. Be safe. God's Love and Blessing to you all.