2026-09-18
Good morning, Dear Ones,
The Holy Spirit directs me to continue in this series on righteous parenting with today’s topic: rearing children to love the Lord. There is no more important task the Lord gives us than rearing children. Sadly, there are unwanted children who are the products of fornication, children reared in poverty and war, and children whose parents don’t make them a priority. You’ll remember I mentioned that all people have physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs. If anyone or others of those aren’t fulfilled, the person has lasting problems throughout his life. Today’s topic deals with a person’s spiritual needs.
The Scriptures teach that children are precious to God and encourages them to come to Him, reflecting His love and their devotion. PS 127: 3, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” We need to recognize a child’s value and nurture them in the faith as a child is a gift from God. The prophet, Isaish, tells us in IS 54: 13, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be their peace.” When children are reared with awareness of the Lord’s love for them, they will have an inner peace and will want to know the Lord even better when they are adults. I can attest to the truth of this because I am a child who knew spiritual fulfillment was available, even though I wasn’t reared with it. I had to wait until I was a young adult before finding it. Yet, I know that our loving God was afoot in my finding Him.
Many children go to either preschool or kindergarten, taken with the discovery of colors and pictures. I was one of those children from the age of four. My memories were vivid of these things when I was either in kindergarten at school or Sunday school in my parent’s synagogue. Those simple beginnings led me to want to draw, do puzzles, and pretend in the school yard acting out characters in the stories I was learning to read. Our synagogue had the little children in my class, act out the story of Esther whom we called Haddasa. I was given the part of Hadassa. Our costumes were simple, made of colorful streamers and construction paper. Those are some of my earliest memories of learning about the Bible. Once I was a bit older, I got a big book called “Old Testament Bible Stories for Children.” It had colorful illustrations and stories written at a child’s level. I loved that book and used it in learning to read. JER 31: 3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” This verse reassures children that God’s love is constant and unconditional, encouraging them to respond with love and trust.
In those early years, I didn’t know I was learning only a part of the Bible. When I reached the eighth grade, something I believe was God-driven happened in my synagogue Sunday school class. A discussion was in progress about assimilation of the Jews in their history when the name of Jesus Christ was raised. I was listening and without any forewarning, I asked, “Isn’t Jesus Christ the Son of God, part God and part man?” It was as if time stopped! I had heard this from friends outside in secular school and thought I was simply repeating what I heard. The teacher replied, “Well, that’s what some believe and went on with the lesson focusing on the assimilation other groups attempted. That night, he called my parents, saying, “I think we have a problem with Lynn!” An emotionally charged interchange followed between my father and I. But our loving God can be stubborn and forthright, indeed. MT 19: 14, “But Jeus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven.”
In my ensuing teen and young adulthood years, my spiritual life was empty, all the while knowing I had to find spiritual fulfillment. A fifteen- year unhappy marriage and membership in a cult were a part of those years. But our stubbornly loving Lord was not about to give up on me. At the age of 25, I began reading the New Testament and seeing how it fits in with what I had already been taught in the Old Testament. The Lord led me to finally be baptized in Christ—something that surely didn’t please my family. MK 10: 16, “And He took the children in His arms and blessed them, laying His hand on them.” Jesus’ actions show His personal care and affection for children and young people, modeling how they are cherished by God.
Christian parents who encourage children to pray and talk to God regularly, are doing them a great favor. This kind of rearing is one that will serve them well in adulthood and old age. Teaching young people to read the Scriptures teaches them valuable lessons and how to see underlying intangible truths that will improve their quality of life. Finding a spouse who shares these values and ethics can lead to a long, happy, and stable adulthood. By embracing these teachings in one’s life, children can grow in faith, feel secure in God’s love, and learn to express their love for Him naturally and joyfully.
PRAYER: O Dearest Lord, we appeal to You to bring as many people to You as possible and to lead parents to value and rear their children in the love of You. We are unable to do this without You being a Resident of our homes and the Leader of our lives. PR 23: 12, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” We thank and praise You for leaving the Scriptures, Your “Love Letter,” with us. Your wisdom is greater than any human has. With these thoughts, we pray to You in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m led to write on creativity and enjoyment in parenting next week. We must remember that being a loving parent is the necessary step to rearing children who will make this world a better place for having been in it. Modeling the gifts of the Holy Spirit to them and all the world is our guidebook for righteous parenting. GA 5: 22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Praise and thanksgiving to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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