You Cannot Guarantee Your Child's Godliness: Trusting God, Discipleship, and Prayer

You Cannot Guarantee Your Child's Godliness

As a Christian parent, you want the best for your child. You want them to grow up to be happy, healthy, successful, and godly. However, as much as we may want to, we cannot guarantee our child's godliness. It is ultimately up to them to choose to follow Christ and obey His commands.

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse is often interpreted to mean that if we raise our children in the ways of the Lord, they will never stray from Him. While it is important to raise our children with a strong foundation in the Word of God, there are no guarantees that they will remain faithful to Him.

The Reality of Free Will

God has given us all free will. We have the ability to make our own choices and decisions. This includes our children. We can teach them right from wrong, but ultimately it is up to them to choose which path they will follow.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live." This verse shows us that even God Himself gives us the choice to follow Him or not. We cannot force our children to choose Him.

It can be difficult to accept that we cannot control our child's choices, but it is important to remember that God is ultimately in control. We must trust Him with our children's lives and pray that they will choose to follow Him.

The Importance of Discipleship

While we cannot guarantee our child's godliness, we can do our best to disciple them and lead them towards Christ. Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). This includes our own children.

Discipleship involves more than just teaching our children about the Bible. It involves modeling what it means to follow Christ and inviting our children to join us on the journey. It involves praying with them, worshiping with them, and serving others with them.

1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." As parents, we have the opportunity to be Christ-like examples to our children. We can show them what it looks like to live a life of faith and obedience to God.

The Power of Prayer

One of the most important things we can do for our children is to pray for them. We can pray for their salvation, their spiritual growth, their protection, and their future.

James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Our prayers have the power to impact our children's lives in ways that we cannot even imagine.

When we pray for our children, we are acknowledging that we cannot control their lives, but we are entrusting them to God's care. We are asking Him to work in their hearts and guide them on the path of righteousness.

The Role of Community

As parents, we cannot disciple our children alone. We need the support and encouragement of other believers. This is where the church comes in.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

When we are part of a community of believers, we have the opportunity to learn from others, receive support and accountability, and be encouraged in our faith. Our children also benefit from being part of a church community. They have the opportunity to learn from other adults, build relationships with peers, and see firsthand what it looks like to live a life of faith.

Conclusion

As Christian parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to grow up to be godly men and women who love and serve the Lord. While we cannot guarantee their godliness, we can do our best to disciple them, pray for them, and surround them with a community of believers. Ultimately, it is up to them to choose to follow Christ, but we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and He loves our children even more than we do.