How Do I Raise Children in Today's World?
1) Direct answer
Raise children by the straight Bible way: set Christ as Head of your home, live the Word before them, teach them daily, correct them in love, separate from the world’s defilements, keep a family prayer altar, guard their influences, and expect the Holy Spirit to seal them. Now notice, you can’t outsource this to the world; parents must lead, and the home must preach before the pulpit does.
2) Scriptural explanation
- Establish God’s order in the home:
- The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives… Wives, submit… Children, obey… Fathers, bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22–6:4). When father and mother walk in love and order, God is honored and children are secured.
- “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Make a clear stand at the door of your house.
- God seeks “a godly seed” (Malachi 2:15). That’s the aim of parenting.
- Teach the Word daily:
- “These words… thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children… when thou sittest… walkest… liest down… risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).
- “From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures” (2 Timothy 3:15).
- “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6).
- Discipline in love and consistency:
- “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24).
- “The rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 29:15).
- God’s pattern: “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). Correct without anger; guide with Scripture. “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath” (Ephesians 6:4).
- Guard the gates (eyes, ears, companions):
- “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” (Psalm 101:3).
- “Keep thy heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23).
- “Love not the world” (1 John 2:15–17). “Be not conformed… but be transformed” (Romans 12:2).
- “Evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Choose their company and environments carefully (Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 13:20).
- Keep them in godly fellowship:
- “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). Bring them under the sound of the Word and around clean examples.
- Pursue purity, modesty, and honest labor:
- “Flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18–20). “Marriage is honourable” (Hebrews 13:4).
- “Modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9). Teach boys and girls to honor God with body and spirit.
- “Go to the ant… consider her ways” (Proverbs 6:6–8). Give them work, chores, and responsibility. “Do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
- Maintain sobriety and a clean testimony:
- “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). In a drunken age, choose abstinence and Spirit-filled living for a clear example at home.
- Build a living prayer altar and expect the Holy Ghost:
- “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord” (Isaiah 54:13).
- “The promise is unto you, and to your children” (Acts 2:39). Pray with them and for them to be born again (John 3:3).
- “If ye… know how to give good gifts… how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13).
3) Simple clarifying logic
- Children become what they watch the most. If the home displays Christ, they will learn Christ. You see, example preaches louder than instructions.
- What you permit, you promote; what you correct, you shape. Boundaries don’t break children—they bless them and make them feel safe.
- The world sows confusion; the Word gives identity. Fill their hearts with Scripture, prayer, service, and wholesome work so there’s no vacuum for the world to fill.
- You can’t protect them from every storm, but you can root them so deeply in Christ that the storms can’t uproot them.
Practical pattern to start now
- Daily: 10–20 minutes family altar—read a chapter, ask simple questions, pray each by name.
- Weekly: Assemble with believers; review the sermon at home so it sticks.
- Standards: Clear rules for screens, music, modest dress, curfews, and friends—explained from Scripture, kept consistently.
- Correction: Private, calm, Scriptural; praise openly for obedience and effort.
- Time: Regular one-on-one time with each child—win their heart so your words can guide it.
- Service: Involve them in giving, visiting, helping—teach them it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Short reinforcing statement
Choose this day for your house. Plant the Word, water it with prayer, fence it with holiness, and expect a harvest. God promised: “Train up a child… and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” He is faithful to keep what you commit to Him.