11 Reasons To Train Your Children in the Fear of the Lord
There seems to be a slow but salient moral decadence happening in our world today. It feels threatening. We do not know what to expect next. You, just like I have, may look at the generation we’re in and raise your hands in despair. What could be the problem, you may ask?
Despite millions of efforts by society to remedy the ongoing problems of crime, internet fraud, teenage pregnancy, complacency to duty, divorce, and the like, change seems a distant force to hope in. But you will agree with me that to prevent a thing is always easier and expedient than to cure it.
Training children to know and fear the Lord is as important as it was in times past as it is now. No matter the efforts we put into making society a better place, if the future generation does not have the right orientation, then we labor in vain.
Think about the fact that you know the Gospel today. You do because someone passed it on. And you can testify that you are a better person – thanks to it – right? As a parent, God has blessed you with the privilege of being the first influence in your children’s lives. So why not pass the baton on?
Faithful parents in the Bible like Abraham, Hannah, Eunice, and you name them, lived out this call and we are forever grateful for their obedience (Gen. 18:19; 1 Sam. 1:11, 28; 2 Tim. 1:5). They have passed on a legacy of faith. And you can too – in word, deed, love, discipline, and with the help of God (Phil. 4:13).
With that said, this piece will enlighten you on the need to train your children in the fear of the Lord. Read with an open mind as a parent or intending parent. May God bless you as you heed this call, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Let us dive in.
Here Are The Reasons You Should Train Your Children in the Fear of the Lord.
1. It is an act of obedience to God’s command and your responsibility
From the outset, God has always been particular about parents passing on the legacy of faith to their children. Interestingly, He chose people like Abraham for this purpose (Gen. 18:19). That should not be a surprise, as he was to be the father of many nations (Gen. 17:4). And Abraham did not fail, but he faithfully passed on the legacy of faith.
The Bible tells us that children are gifts from God (Ps. 127:3). Being a wise and just God who demands accountability, He expects us to steward His gifts just as He expects us to do with the resources He gives to us. Every child has a unique purpose and destiny. As a parent, you are the primary vessel God has chosen to nurture it. Think of how God purposefully chose Mary and Joseph to birth our Lord Jesus (Lk. 1:30-33). God is pleased when we obey Him by bringing up our children to know and love Him so that there does not come a generation who do not know Him (Ps. 78:5-6, Deut. 4:9-10; 11:18-19).
In our busy days and hustle culture, we must place God’s commands – like raising our children to know Him – first in our lives so that we may be true children of God who love and fear their Father. The good thing is that He’s not blind. He always rewards (Deut. 11:21).
2. It sets a strong and healthy spiritual foundation for them
Our world is wired for freedom. Everyone is made to believe that he or she can live the way he or she wants and do what he or she feels like doing. After all, “What’s it matter?” There are different philosophies and “truths” that, if one is not careful, one stands the risk of drifting. In this age of technology and innovation, where most parents are neck-deep in their jobs, training children in the ways of the Lord is more than important. Why? Because life is spiritual before anything else.
As a parent, you should be able to have the confidence that whether or not you are present, your children will still abide in the Truth. When you train your children to know and fear the Lord, there is a very high chance that they will stay on the right path, making decisions that align with their faith and values to the glory of God (Prov. 22:6).
What’s more? Sometimes, as parents and intending parents, we tend to focus on the other “important” aspects of our children’s lives – such as the academic and social – while neglecting the spiritual aspect. But you should know that true, good success always starts with a true, honest soul who is at peace with God (3 Jn. 2; Josh. 1:8).
When your kids serve God well, His blessings permeate into the other aspects of their lives. Ask Daniel. As little as he was, He tapped into excellence because He knew the God of His Fathers (Dan. 1:17, 19-20). Do you desire your children to be strong spiritually and also excel in other aspects of life? Bring them up in the ways of the Lord.
3. It shapes their character
If you take a survey of the most well-behaved kids, adolescents, or even adults in a particular setting, you would not be surprised to have a higher percentage of them being Christian. While this is not always the case, we cannot deny that children who grow up in families where they are taught to know and fear the Lord; and have godly examples they look up to who instill values such as patience, kindness, honesty, humility, faithfulness, hardwork and other fruits of the Holy Spirit, have a higher chance of behaving well in society.
It is undeniable that these traits are needed now more than ever in our society where good and worthy values are slowly eroding and are even considered foolish. The temptation is to drift with the flow. But find confidence in knowing that the better your children know God, the better they will behave, and the more favor they will enjoy with God and man. Daniel is an example worthy of note (Dan. 6:3-4). May God help you hold the hands of your kids and mold them into what God desires them to be.
4. It gives them spiritual protection in a fallen world
As a parent, you cannot say that you have complete control over your kids. While you can have control to a reasonable extent, others like your kids’ teachers, their friends, the media, and different voices beckoning them also exert control in one way or the other. This is why training your children in God’s ways is very important.
Children who are taught to know and fear the Lord have a higher chance of resisting temptations from outside influences and remaining grounded in their faith. Again, because we are in a spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:12), you would want children who are spiritually alert and can trust in God’s saving power to remain strong till the end like Joseph (Gen. 39:10).
They also become wise and discerning. They don’t act at random or on impulse or on the opinions of others without carefully weighing their decisions in the light of God’s Word. This will protect them from every plan of doom the enemy sets for them.
5. It helps them cultivate purpose and identity
You may have noticed that in the 21st century, most people, especially adolescents and young adults, have no sense of who they are or why they are here on Earth. It’s little wonder why we have cases of identity crises concerning gender and mixed ideas concerning issues like sex, alcoholism, drug abuse, and even fashion. This is a call for worry and concern because the more the future generation drifts in purposelessness, the more we can expect nothing tangible in the future.
Growing your kids in the fear of the Lord gives your children a sense of identity and purpose not founded on something fleeting as their achievements, the words spoken to them, their appearance before the mirror, or likes and comments on social media. Their identity will be founded on something unshakable – Christ the Rock Himself (Matt. 7:25; Col. 2:7). Because we only find fulfillment when we live out our God-given purposes, you can be sure that your children will be a different breed in this world of confusion. But hey! It all starts with you.
6. It creates and sustains family harmony
Have you ever entered a home and just felt at peace because of the way members of the family love and care for each other? That’s the good you get when you train all your children to love, fear, and live for the Lord. They get to exemplify what Christ will do, and that is love, joy, peace and you name it.
I have also heard of homes where children stood in the gap for their families or their parents’ marriages. Yes, even our Lord Jesus is one of them (Heb. 9:15). And your children can be too. There’s no greater joy than to see all your children living in the Truth, is there now? (3 Jn. 4).
7. It helps them become a blessing to you when they grow up rather than a curse
Many parents these days suffer more from the pain and heartache their children cause them than from anything else. It is such a pain to see the ones you love and bore being the very ones who lace your sores with salt in the future. These children bring shame rather than the honor they should bring (Ps. 127:5).
However, there are parents who may have not had it all good in the past who are smiling now because of the legacy of faith that they have passed on to their children. They have rained love and instruction and now this fountain of pure, fresh water has returned to give life to their weary bones. Think of the blessing our Lord Jesus is to His Father in Heaven (Mk. 1:11). Or the blessing Timothy was to his parents, grandparents, and those around him (1 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:22). Or even how Joseph stepped in to save his family in the future all because of the loving instruction he received (Gen. 50:20).
Although you should not invest in your kids spiritually only because you desire a future investment, I urge you to give all you have got from a pure heart and with the right motives. And the God who sees you will reward you with the blessings that He only can give. Trust Him.
8. It ensures that generations to come always know who God is (Ps. 78:5-6)
In our time, we are slowly drifting to this sort of generation who have no regard whatsoever for the Lord. Even if there is, it is half-hearted and only done out of obligation. The sad thing is that the more spiritually apathetic people we have, the more God’s name is slowly wiped out. And that stands to defeat God’s purpose. But thanks be to God. He is eternal and will live in the hearts of people forever and ever. But that will require people to pass the baton on. And yeah! God is counting on you.
9. It Results in Stronger Families and Societies
Israel has grown into a strong nation almost unopposed by any nation in the world because its founding fathers were men of faith who did not keep the faith to themselves but passed it on to each generation after them. The reason why morals in our society and culture are slowly eroding is because spiritually apathetic parents birth and nurture spiritually apathetic children and the cycle goes on and on.
But if you desire families and societies that will stay true, stand strong, and change the course of the world, then it all starts with you. Hold your kids and teach them the way of the Lord. Soon enough, they will teach their friends and neighbors. And once they grow up, you will live to see the difference.
10. It models the Gospel to the world
On social media, there are families I see whose children are walking in the Truth. Believe me, I get excited when I see it. It’s something to marvel at. It shows that when we truly obey God’s command to train our children to know Him, we reap great and eternal rewards.
Think of that woman in your street whose children are exceptional. Do you not desire to be like her? If she were to preach the Message to you, would you not listen since she is practicing what she preaches? Beyond that, you would want to know her secret. Where her power comes from. In that way, she has shone the light. And you know what? You can too (Matt. 5:16). We all can.
11. It Has Eternal Implications
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them” (Lk. 18:16). This is our Lord’s message to you as a parent or intending parent. Your role is to bring your kids to Christ with the hope that they will accept Him to be their Lord and Savior. Don’t you desire this for your kids? Of course, you do because you have tasted of His goodness, mercy and love.
But there’s also the bad part. Just because you don’t tell your children the Truth, it does not mean that Hell ceases to exist. How would you feel knowing that your children will not experience eternal life because you could not lead them to? The sad thing is that you will also be held accountable for it (Mk. 9:42).
But this does not have to be your story. You can be part of the legends who leave a legacy of faith and bring joy to our Master who loves children and gives them to you as a reward.
To conclude, every child is a gift from God and is destined for a unique purpose. Only in Christ is this purpose fulfilled. The best part? He has given you the mandate to nurture His gifts. Training your children to know and love Him is germane. And you will live to experience the blessings for it. Even though there’s no guarantee that they will not stray from the path, as my mother says, she has the confidence even before God that she played her part, and yeah! He is faithful (2 Tim. 2:13).
So right now, I want you to renew your commitments and trust God to be a loving, living example for your children. It pays and you should know that you cannot do it alone. God is a Father too (Jn. 1:12). He’s your Father and He is their’s too. So give them to Him as you also give yourself to Him. You will never regret it. More grace to you!
Written for Smartcouples.net © 2025. All rights reserved.
