Children As God’s Heritage

 

 

Central Thought:  Children are precious jewels in God’s sight.

 

 

Text:  Deuteronomy 32:9; Psalm 94:5, 127:3-5; Jeremiah 12:7-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4

 

 

God created the earth to the inhabited.  On earth, every living thing created was empowered to reproduce its kind. Man who was created in the image and likeness of God was also blessed with the reproduction of his kind; hence children are God’s heritage.  This will be our focus in this study.

 

1. What do you understand by the phrase “God’s Heritage”?

Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary describes heritage as the history, traditions and qualities that a country or society has had for many years and that are considered an important part of its character.  Heritage also refers to something inherited from the past.  At creation God gave man the ability to multiply, bear fruit, replenish the earth and subdue it, Genesis 1:28.  So the earth is God’s heritage handed over to man in the past.  Children are inclusive among God’s heritage.  They are blessings received from God for obeying marital injunction.

 

2. From Deuteronomy 32:9; Psalm 33:12; Job 41:11, how is God’s heritage illustrated?

From the above Scriptures, it is evident that everything under heaven belongs to God, the people He has chosen and Israel as a nation.  He takes special interest or care of them.  He controls the affairs of their lives through life’s journey on earth as long as they remain obedient to His word.  Therefore, believers should endeavor to let their hearts be perfect with God by walking in His statutes and consistently keep His commandments, 1 Kings 8:61.

 

3. Discuss our responsibility as leaders and parents towards children as God’s heritage. 1 Peter 5:2-3; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Acts 20:28; 2 Timothy 4:2: Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:7-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Leaders (spiritual/physical) and parents are expected to live by example, ‘not being lords over God’s heritage’.  They are expected to bring up their children in the fear, nurture and admonition of the Lord; by teaching them both spiritual and moral principles of life.  They should constantly pray for their children so as not to be devoured by the evil of this generation.  It is also expected that they teach, exhort, rebuke, reprove and encourage them when necessary.

 

4. Highlight the responsibilities of children (God’s heritage) towards the leaders and parents.  Ephesians 6:1-3

To ensure harmonious and healthy living in the society, the children should humbly obey their Godly leaders and parents and pray for them for wisdom and grace to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

5. Examine the consequences of not carrying out our responsibilities as leaders, parents and children.  Ezekiel 34:1-10; Jeremiah 12:7-11

If leaders/parents fail to carry out their duties towards God’s heritage, they will scatter and become prey to the enemy.  Our society today is an example of failed parental/leaders’ responsibility towards the children and youth.  The society is experiencing insecurity, moral decadence etc.  because of the failure of either the leaders not taking care of children or children not adhering to the teaching of Scripture.

Negligence of duty is a punishable offence, so God shall require their blood from the hand of the leaders/parents who failed to train them in His fear, and children who are disobedient to Godly instructions.

 

6. Examine the rewards in fulfilling our responsibility towards God’s heritage.  1 Peter 5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Colossians 3:24; 2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Timothy 2:2-4

Fulfillment of one’s responsibility towards God’s children attracts both earthly and heavenly rewards.  On earth, there will be peace, prosperity, honor and joy in the immediate family and the larger society.  God will be happy with His people and welcome them into His presence, to spend eternity with Him.

 

 

Daily Living Application:

God watches over His heritage; He is the savior indeed.  His children (young and old) are dear to Him.  He treasures them, protects them from danger, provides for their needs, preserves them a  posterity on the earth, Genesis 45:5, 7.  God leads His heritage through the path of righteousness for His name’s sake, Psalm 23:3; He proves Himself faithful among the people; He forgives their sins and prepares them for His kingdom.  Let us therefore strive to keep our own side of the covenant for He is faithful that has chosen us to be His own.

 

 

Memory Verse:

Psalm 127:3 – “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”