Day 25: Together, We Raise Godly Children

It has been said that the Church is always one generation away from extinction, and this is especially so if we do nothing about it today.

Whether we realise it or not, every one of us can help shape the next generation.

Some as parents, some as spiritual parents, Sunday school teachers or members of the church. Every one of us has a part to play.

Today, we’re going to look into Psalm 127:3-5, from which we can glean three truths for all of us – as parents, as a church and as people shaping the next generation.

1. Children are a gift entrusted to us by God.

In Verse 3, it says that “children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

A heritage and a reward from the Lord. In other words, children come from Him.

This verse reframes ownership. It is not so much “these are my children”. Rather, “these are God’s children entrusted to me”.

It shifts us from pride to gratitude, from control to stewardship.

How do we steward this gift? That leads to the second point.

If we don’t disciple our children, the world will. 

2. Children are to be shaped intentionally.

Psalm 127:4 uses a powerful imagery of children being like arrows in the hands of a warrior.

If you have ever shot an arrow before, you’ll know that the tip must be sharpened, the shaft straight and the fletching – the feathers – aligned for accuracy.

It is the same for discipling children. It is intentional formation that requires sharpening and shaping.

The phrase “in the hands of a warrior” suggests to us that the eventual landing of an arrow is tied to the one holding the bow.

Children are shaped by the lives of those who raise them, the direction has to be given by their “archers” on where they should land.

We are not raising children merely to keep them safe within the quiver, but to release them into the public square and to engage the world.

Recently, I learnt about the principle of first impressions. Once children have an impression of something, it becomes their benchmark.

So if the world provides that first impression, even if it is wrong, they will be benchmarking what we say from the Word with what they first learnt from the world.

But if we provide that moral benchmark from the Word early in their lives, they will be benchmarking the norms of the world against the standards of the Word.

This is where we want them to land, because the truth is, if we don’t disciple our children, the world will.

3. Children are to be released with purpose.

Psalm 127:5 tells us that “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of (children)…”

Now, that sounds like a call for us to have more children.

But the parallel truth is this: Arrows are never meant to remain in the quiver. They are meant to be released with purpose.

And what is that purpose?

The second half of the verse tells us: “They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”

In the ancient world, the city gate was the place of public life, where decisions were made, where justice was debated, where voices were heard.

So, we are not raising children merely to keep them safe within the quiver, but to release them into the public square and to engage the world.

Even if you don’t have children of your own, you must realise that you are influencing the next generation as spiritual models.

And increasingly, the world they are stepping into is complex and challenging, a world with competing truths and shifting values.

Which means we are not just raising children to succeed, we are raising them to stand and to speak of the goodness of God in this troubled world, to confront injustice with truth and grace, and to navigate the “enemies” of our time with wisdom and courage.

When a generation is raised this way, formed in truth and sent with purpose, the Psalmist says this is a blessing: “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

At one level, this speaks of children as a household blessing of joy and legacy. But perhaps we can widen the lens.

Because in the Bible, raising children is never just private but it is almost always a communal effort.

As the adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child.

The Church, as a village, can be a key source of influence, of love, kindness, compassion and faith.

That’s where we have to complement the village instead of competing against it.

While it is said that we are one generation away from extinction, we are also one generation away from revival. 

Have conversations with Children’s Pastors and leaders to see how we can be sharpening our children’s lives together.

Even if you don’t have children of your own, you must realise that you are influencing the next generation as spiritual models.

When we pray and worship, when we show compassion, when we lead with faith, we are a community of archers, sharpening and releasing the arrows of the next generation.

So while it is said that we are one generation away from extinction, we are also one generation away from revival.

Today, the Church can make a difference and ignite a fire in this generation.

The question is: “Can we do it together?”

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for reminding us that children are a gift from You and a responsibility You have placed in our hands.

Forgive us for the times we’ve been passive or distracted. Help us to be intentional in how we live, speak and influence those around us.

Teach us not just to raise children to succeed, but to stand firm in faith and to know You deeply.

Lord, help us as a church to do this together. To shape, to guide, and to send out the next generation for Your glory.

We commit them into Your hands. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.