How can we raise our "Children of Issachar"? It’s Back to the Basics:
The problem we have as a society is that
we raise our children in the ‘present
tense’ and not the ‘future tense’.
We call them ‘leaders of tomorrow’ and
prophesy on their destiny - that they will be ‘greater than their parents’ - and then go on to live our lives
before their very eyes, the exact opposite of what we preach and teach. So, they
have indeed become greater - in indiscipline, indolence, violence, corruption,
immorality, cultism, idolatory, ignorance, irresponsibility, etc. It was not so in the case of the children
of Issachar. They were raised from childhood to become people of distinction
and of extraordinary value to their community.
As a family, a society, and a church, we need children
who understand the climate and temperament of the
times. Children who understand public
affairs, the global temperature, and the tendencies of current events so as
to manifest divine wisdom; children who possess
the spiritual knowledge, judgment and keen insight into the spirit realm (Ephesians 5:15-17); children who know the best course of action
and will provide us with crucial information to make wise decisions (Isaiah 33:6). So how can our children be like those of the tribe of Issachar?
·
Let's Train
them: There is education and there is training. We have to guide them; discipline
them; build up their academic, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual databank (knowledge); and their physical and spiritual immune
system (discernment) in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). We are their parents
and the authority over them; telling them what to do is part of our job
description. There is a difference between ‘discipline’ and ‘punishment’.
Discipline has to do with regulation, control, restraint in order to extract compliance,
while punishment involves correction, chastisement, and persuasion.
·
Let's Make
them a people of prayer: The place of prayer is the place
of revelation. It is in the place of prayer that knowledge is given
understanding. So let us teach them to pray - communicate and interact with God; to
develop such a relationship with God that will change the course of their lives
to the fulfillment of divine destiny. Let us teach them to fast and deprive
their bodies, temporarily, and regularly, of nourishment in order to seek the
face of God and to obtain divine truth. Life is not all about convenience.
There is responsibility and accountability. As Christians, we will have need to
commune with God in the place of prayer, either for our individual selves or
for the sake of others. Our children must be given that divine direction, just like
those of Issachar!
·
Let's Make
them a people of the Word: Jesus told the Pharisees and
Sadducees in Matthew 12:3, "It is
because you do not know the Scriptures." Many of our children do not
know the Scriptures and there lies the difference between them and the children
of Issachar. Our children do not read, or study, or meditate on the word of
God. And this is because we, their parents, do not teach or encourage them or
we, ourselves, are not as committed to the word of God as we portray. The truth
of the matter is that we cannot give what we do not have.
Is
it that, as parents, we have not experienced the efficacy of the word of God?
Are we not confessing and testifying enough? Let the word of God abide in us
and in them (John 15:7). David said in Psalms 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. When our
children know the word of God, their confidence level and self-esteem will increase.
They will take decisions based on knowledge and understanding, like those of
Issachar, not through peer pressure, and ignorance.
·
Let's Make
them a people of the church: Teach them to love the fellowship of the brethren
and be active in the Church. When we were teenagers, we cleaned the church
every Saturday and it was fun then to work alongside our friends and peers.
But now, the church has to pay for this service and before then, the elders did
the cleaning. Our children must know that it is the people, not the building,
that make the church and that they make up a great component of the Body of Christ. That God wants us
to be different from those in the world; not prejudiced or judgmental but loving,
tolerant, and kind but discerning; to be the solution to global problems. Let us teach them to respect others and to support church
leaders and elders so that their lives can be enriched by superior experience
and pastoral blessing just as the children of Issachar supported Prophetess
Deborah and Barak in battle.
·
Let's Make
them a people of Influence: The children of Issachar were
influential. Their brethren looked up to them and heeded their counsel. The little
children in our society today observe the youths, the parents, the elders, teachers, public officials and
politicians. We are the Bible they are reading. What kind of influence are we
exerting? To be a people of influence, there must be integrity; reliability;
and trust. It’s all about character! Let them know that it is character, not
wealth that makes a person. Teach them that a tree is known by its fruit (a more
enduring identity), not its leaves (outward appearance); that kindness,
respect, perseverance, and hard work, still pays. Then they carry the
mandate to do ‘exploits’. The world is indeed waiting, in expectation, for the
manifestation of the children of God!
The time has come for us to
evaluate our role as parents. We cannot behave like the ostrich - putting our
heads in the sand while there is trouble all around. We will be held
accountable for the turn-out of our children on the Day of Judgment. Mahatma
Gandhi (1869-1948) said this and I quote;
“The
things that can destroy a nation and its people are no other than,
-politics
without principle;
-pleasure without conscience;
-wealth without work;
-knowledge
without character;
-education without learning;
-business without morality;
-science without humanity;
-worship without sacrifice”.
May the Lord show us mercy in Jesus
name. Amen. Concluded!!!
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