Psalm 127:1-5
Introduction
As a young man, Daniel was taken captive in Babylon. He had to leave his homeland of Judah and be ripped away from everything he knew—his family, religion, language, and culture. The Babylonians wanted to mold Daniel into their image. They changed his name and taught him their language and literature. They gave him their highest quality food and wine from the royal reserve. Because Daniel was taught to commit to God, however, he did not yield to their secular culture. This is what children can have the strength and courage to do if parents fulfill their mission. Parents are meant to raise their children to understand and abide by a God-centered life rather than a culturally accepted one.
Children were created by God’s power and for His purpose. They are a gift from God. God’s purpose for children is the replication of His image in history, and His program for them is the advancement of His Kingdom. We as parents are supposed to prepare our children to advance the Kingdom by teaching them to reflect God, follow Him, and make an impact for Him. When we make that our goal, then we realize children are not a burden but instead a delight, even as we face challenges in raising them.
Like Daniel, children today face a crisis as the pagan culture tries to redefine why they exist and who they are. The culture wants to isolate them from parental authority, indoctrinate them with secularism reflected in their sexuality, and reclassify them with a new name, which alters their identity. As parents, we must commit our children to a biblical identity. They are Christians first, so everything they do must be done against the backdrop of God’s perspective. We must also commit them to a biblical worldview as opposed to a secular worldview. Then we must cultivate a biblical relationship by walking with them spiritually. We start by leading them to Christ. This is the chief duty of parents. If we are faithful to doing our job, the culture will have less power to step in and do it for us. Godly parents pave the way for children and grandchildren to experience God’s power, purpose, and His plans for their lives.
Getting Started
- A worldview is the lens through which we view life. What other lenses do we use to view things, and how do those lenses affect what we see?
- What are ways the culture tries to define our identity, especially for children?
Let’s Get Personal
- How did you come to learn the biblical worldview? Were you taught a different worldview growing up, and how did it affect you?
- Have you walked spiritually with someone younger than you, leading them to Christ and encouraging them to follow Him? What did you learn through that process?
- In what ways have you committed your children to the biblical identity, worldview, and relationship? In what ways could you strengthen their commitment?
Take the Next Step
- All of life is to be viewed through the lens of the will and the Word of God. How can you help teach others to adjust how they view life to align with God’s will and Word?
- How can you prepare either your own children or the children in your sphere of influence to advance the Kingdom? What are the first steps you need to take to walk with them spiritually?
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Psalm 127:1-5; Judges 2:10; Psalm 78:1-12; Daniel 1:1-9; Daniel 3:13-18; 1 Chronicles 7:30-40; Joshua 4:1-7; Joshua 4:21-24; Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6:4-15; Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Deuteronomy 4:23-26; Genesis 18:19; Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 22:6; Malachi 4:5-6; Jeremiah 29:6.
Renew Your Mind
“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Psalm 127:3
