“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
Praise the Lord!
Good morning/afternoon, our wonderful parents, teachers, pastors, and dear children. I welcome everyone to this beautiful Children’s Day celebration. Today is a special day set aside all over the world to celebrate children and to remind us that children are precious gifts from God.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 127 that “children are a heritage from the Lord.” This means that children are blessings that God has entrusted into the care of parents and guardians. Because children are special gifts from God, it is very important that they are trained properly and brought up in the way of the Lord.
Today’s exhortation is titled: Godly Parenting, Godly Children
It is the will of God for parents and anyone in position of a guardian to nurture children that surround them.
To nurture means to care for, teach, guide, and help someone grow well. God wants parents not only to provide food, clothes, and shelter for their children, but also to teach them godly values and help them know God from a young age.
In Ephesians 6:4, the Bible tells fathers and parents not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. This means parents should correct their children with love, patience, wisdom, and good examples.
Children learn a lot from what they see at home. When parents pray, children learn to pray. When parents speak kindly, children learn kindness. When parents love God and attend church faithfully, children also learn to love God.
The Bible also says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This teaches us that good training during childhood can help a child grow into a responsible and godly adult.
We can see examples in the Bible of children who were trained in the fear of God:
Samuel served God faithfully from childhood because his mother dedicated him to the Lord. ( 1 Samuel 2:18)
Timothy knew the Scriptures from a young age because his mother and grandmother taught him God’s Word. ( 2 Timothy 3:15)
Jesus Christ Himself grew in wisdom, obedience, and favor with God and man. ( Luke 2:52)
Dear parents, God has given you a very important responsibility. Teach your children to pray, read the Bible, obey God, respect others, and live honestly. Encourage them when they do well and correct them with love when they make mistakes.
Dear children, you also have a role to play. The Bible says children should obey their parents in the Lord. Children should be respectful, truthful, hardworking, prayerful, and obedient. When children obey godly instruction, they grow into great men and women in the future.
As we celebrate Children’s Day today, let us remember that raising children is not only the work of parents alone. Teachers, pastors, relatives, and the church all have a role in helping children grow in the knowledge of God.
May God help all parents to raise godly children. May He help all children to become shining lights in their generation. And may our homes continue to grow in love, peace, wisdom, and the fear of the Lord.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of children. Thank You for our parents, teachers, pastors, and everyone You have placed in our lives to guide us. Lord, help all parents to nurture their children in Your ways and give children obedient and teachable hearts. Help us to love You, obey Your Word, and grow to become godly men and women in the future. Bless every family represented here today and let Your peace and joy remain in our homes. Thank You, Lord, for answered prayers.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen