They Belong to God First: Raising Children to Know the Lord

One of the greatest responsibilities God gives parents is not simply to raise good children, successful children, or even happy children, but children who know Him. Our sons and daughters are gifts from the Lord, but they do not ultimately belong to us. They belong to God, and our assignment is to steward them well and point them back to the One who created them.

Scripture reminds us:

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.”— Psalm 127:3

In a world that teaches children to follow their feelings and pursue self, Christian parents are called to teach them to follow Christ. We cannot assume that because our children grow up in church, they automatically know Jesus. Knowing church and knowing Christ are two different things. Our prayer should be that our children develop their own relationship with the Lord and not merely depend on our faith to carry them.

Hannah: A Mother Who Gave Her Son Back to God

Hannah desperately longed for a child. Through tears and prayers, she cried out to God, and the Lord blessed her with Samuel. But what makes Hannah’s story so beautiful is that she remembered that the blessing belonged to God. She dedicated Samuel to the Lord and released him into God’s service.

“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.”— 1 Samuel 1:27-28

How many of us spend years praying for our children, only to try to possess what God intended us to steward? Like Hannah, we must learn to surrender our sons and daughters to the Lord and trust Him with their lives.

Before Goliath, There Were Lions and Bears

When people think of David, they often think of Goliath. But before David ever faced the giant, God was preparing him in private. As a young shepherd, David learned to trust God while defending the sheep against lions and bears.

“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”— 1 Samuel 17:36

David’s confidence wasn’t built overnight. He had learned from childhood to trust the Lord. Even as a young boy, God’s strength was evident in his life. Long before the public victory, there was private preparation.

What if some of the battles our children face today are preparing them for the giants they will face tomorrow? Instead of rescuing them from every discomfort, perhaps God is teaching them to depend on Him. As parents we are not superhero’s, yes we know more than our children do and we are to guide them just as the Lord guides us.

Train Them Up

Scripture gives parents clear instruction:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”— Proverbs 22:6

Training requires intentionality. It means praying with them, teaching them Scripture, worshiping together, correcting them in love, and showing them what a surrendered life looks like. Children learn as much from what we live as from what we say.

Moses also instructed God’s people:

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”— Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Faith was never meant to be confined to Sunday mornings. It should be woven into everyday life.

Their Faith Must Become Their Own

One day our children will leave our homes. They will face temptation, hardship, disappointment, and the pressures of a world that opposes God. In those moments, they cannot survive on their mother’s prayers alone or their father’s faith alone. They must know Jesus for themselves.

Our goal is not to make our children dependent upon us forever, but dependent upon Christ.

Because at the end of the day, they are not ours.

They are His.

And perhaps one of the greatest acts of love a parent can do is echo the heart of Hannah and say:

“Lord, thank You for these children. I prayed for them, I love them, and now I trust You with them. Teach them to hear Your voice, walk in Your ways, and fulfill the purpose for which You created them. They belong to You.”

Heart Check ❤️

Are you raising your children merely to succeed in the world, or are you preparing them to stand with Christ, even if they must stand alone?

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”— Joshua 24:15

One surrendered day at a time.

—The Surrendered Walk🤍