Training Up Soldiers in God's Army
By Elvira Bujanda
Most of us would agree that families today are being attacked and shaken more than ever before. So it is of utmost importance that we as parents train our children in God’s ways, as it 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.”
God is very specific in His word about who is responsible for teaching and training the children. This is the parents’ responsibility.
“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be upon thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).
Ephesians 6:4 says: “Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord.”
Children must learn to develop a hunger and thirst for spiritual things: praise, worship, prayer and reading their Bibles.
They must build their own personal relationship with Christ and find the renewing of their minds, and a transformed new life.
They must understand what God’s word says about honesty, sacrifice, faithfulness and kindness.
Matthew 13:19 says: “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” We must pray that His word will take root in our children’s hearts and lives.
Yet never underestimate the power of God in your life and home. II Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
Always remember that God has great plans for families and you as parents influence your children most significantly by your example. So what is in your heart?
Proverbs 4:23 says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Luke 6:45 tells us that out of the abundance of our hearts our mouth speaks, and God tells us to put away perversity from our mouth and keep corrupt talk far from our lips.
We are to set our eyes on the things of God, so that our daily walk and decisions are upright before Him.
Proverbs 4:24-8 says: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left, but keep your foot from evil.”
We must teach our children obedience and respect, as it says in Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Teach them that they can talk to God openly and honestly; that they can trust Him and depend on Him for everything that they need.
“So that you [children] are able to say, ‘You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promises. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to Your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands’” (Psalm 119: 57-60).
Children need to experience Christianity.
Teach them the love of God, that they may have a total devotion for God and His people.