CENTRAL THOUGHT
The child built on the foundation of the Word of God will never fall.
TEXT: PSALM 78:1-7; 127:1-5
INTRODUCTION:
Children are precious heritage given to families by the Lord (Ps. 127:3). From the day a child is born, parents and well-wishers start the process of caring for the present and future. Expectations are high for the healthy existence, provisions, and training of the child.
Every parent’s dream is for the child to live up to their expectations for him or her. Parents must therefore start to pattern their children in a way that they will be godly enough to bring honor to them and become useful citizens. This is why the foundation towards achieving success is paramount. A building erected on a solid foundation never collapses. Only children who are built up on the foundation of Christ can stand the winds of life as the scriptures enjoins us to train up the child in the way he should go so that when he grows up he will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6). Parents must therefore ensure that the building up of a child involves making them stable spiritually in Christ alongside their secular trainings.
When their life is in line with the principles of the Kingdom of God and its righteousness then all other things will follow (Matt. 6:33).
This study therefore will address how and what to do if we want our children to “… walk worthy of the Lord…” (Col. 1:10).
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, we should be able to:
- Know who the child is
- Establish the importance of building up children for the future
- Know the vices that plague the society and how to curb them
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHO IS A CHILD?
Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines a child as a young human being who is not yet an adult. A child is a free gift from God to any family as a blessing. He is God’s property given to man as a custodian. Parents are therefore accountable to God in the way they build up the children’s lives.
The child needs to be equipped for the future by being taught the way of God. The home is the first point of interaction. Parents should empower their children with the gospel of Jesus Christ and God will confirm this effort with blessings that follow kingdom children.
Children need to be trained, directed, encouraged, and empowered in the things that pertain to life and godliness; this is building up the child.
QUESTION 2) WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BUILD A CHILD?
It is of great importance for parents to train up a child because it is a commandment from God (Deut. 6:6-7a; Eph. 6:4).
Psalm 78:5-6 emphasizes that as we teach the children in the way of the Lord, they will “arise and declare the word to their children”. Obedience to this command brings the knowledge of God to future generations. The child will not depart from the way when he is grown up (Prov. 22:6).
We are custodians od these children, being precious heritage from God (Ps. 127:3). We must therefore train them in the way of the Lord who gave them to us. This we cannot do “for without Him we can do nothing” (John 15:5). “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Ps. 127:1).
Every child born needs direction and this rests on the parents to show the expected focus. Children are well in body, soul, and spirit. Parents therefore need to provide the material needs to train their minds through formal and moral education, and teaching them the way of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). The kind of up bringing determines the tastes of the children when they grow up. Failure to provide physical needs may lead to stunted physical growth or ill health. Failure to supply spiritual needs to their soul may lead to their becoming spiritually bankrupt and worldly.
PROV. 22:15 SAYS THAT “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him”. It is the duty of the parents to use every means enjoined by God to drive out this foolishness. If parents do this, they shall deliver their souls from hell (Prov. 23:14).
The Lord requires that we diligently train our children in the way of the Lord so that it will be well with them in the future (Ps. 78:7). They may resist, cry, or even rebel openly. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Heb. 12:11).
QUESTION 3) IDENTIFY SOME COMMON VICES AMONG CHILDREN IN THE SOCIETY TODAY.
Satan, the devil, who is the archenemy of mankind goes to and fro in the earth as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The devil thus has plans for their lives (1 Pet. 5:8).
Children from whom the carnal nature has not been transformed are involved in indecent dressing (almost naked), immersed in fornication, with the resultant effects to unwanted pregnancies, abortions, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. They are enslaved in demonic cults and gangs, engaging in violent and ungodly behaviors like stealing, killing, destroying lives and properties. They are roaming about like vagabonds from one party to another, victims of alcohol, drug abuse, gambling, misuse of finances, emotional and social upsets. They are covenant breakers and disobedient to parents. They are liars, without God, and hopeless in their way of living. They commit all sorts of sins against God and man.
However, it is for this sake that Christ came, for 1 John 3:8 says, “He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil”.
QUESTION 4) WHAT ARE THE CONSEQEUNCES OF THESE VICES? 1 Sam. 2:22-25
The consequences of the aforementioned vices are many and include:
- Evil news litter the whole place,
- Innocent women will be assaulted,
- People will defile the house of God,
- People will be living in fear and distrust of one another,
- People will be caused to transgress,
- Children will not hearken to their parents,
- Sin with prevail and consequently death will be the wages,
- Disobedience to authority,
- Bad administration,
- Poverty as a result of mismanagement of funds
A case in Scripture is the episode of Eli and his sons. The sons became so wayward that they defiled women in the temple and desecrated the altar of God, as a result of which God judges the, (1 Sam. 2:22-25). However, for anyone overtaken by these vices, forgiveness is available in Christ Jesus following genuine repentance.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
As Christian parents , it is our primary responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22:6). This includes spiritual and secular matters. We are to set God’s words and His ways always before our children. We are to be the first example for them to behold in all manner of conduct and conversation. When this is done as our responsibility in the fear of the Lord, our children can then have a sure direction in life with which is navigate their path.
MEMORY VERSE: Prov. 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MONDAY: THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE. Ps. 127:1-3
TUESDAY: CHILDREN ARE AN HERITAGE OF THE LORD. Ps. 127:3-5
WEDNESDAY: BRING UP CHILDREN IN THE ADMONITION OF THE LORD. Eph. 6:1-4
THURSDAY: USE CORRECTIVE MEASURES ON THE CHILD. Pro. 22:15, 23:14
FRIDAY: GOD COMMANDS TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN. Deut. 6:6-7
SATURDAY: OUR CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW AND KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS. Ps. 78:5-8