We are raising the next generation of ministry leaders.

Isaiah 54:13 “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

I was sixteen when I got pregnant with my first son.

I had yet to learn anything about parenting or how I would provide for him. I had no house, car, or job. Guilt consumed me for many years. Living in sin at the time did not help.

His dad and I supplied his basic needs. We gave him love, security, and acceptance in the measure we had.

God was the perfect father.

He provided a suitable environment for Adam and Eve.

God gave them everything they needed and authority over everything he created. Yet, they failed to follow the one commandment he gave them not to do. If God did all this for his children and they failed to walk in complete obedience, you’re in good company.

You’re not horrible for not giving your children everything.

Take the pressure off yourself.

The Lord does not expect you to get it all right.

You can’t! Even if you were to give your children everything, they have free will. One day they’ll exercise that right.

Your responsibility as a parent is to lay down a godly foundation for your household.

The Holy Spirit leads us in all truth.

There are many factors in raising children, and training them in the Lord is the most important.

The Lord did not leave all the parenting up to us. That is how great of a father he is. He has his part to play. He gave both parents and children guidelines to follow.

A marriage grounded in the Lord encourages a relationship with the Lord.

Where you fail, the Lord won’t.

Food, clothes, and a busy church schedule are not the best example of parenting.

The best parenting is the example we display of husbands and wives. Fathers show the heart of the father, and mothers display His nurturing character. That was the missing component with my first son.

I have grown since then. I flow in wisdom and am still flawed.

Let go of the shame; it is not of the Lord.

As believers, our goal is always to point our children to Jesus.

If you’re like me and missed out on giving your child that foundation from an early age, shake off the guilt. Even when they grow up and make poor decisions, they must seek their salvation. God is faithful.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction and helps them discover their identity.

You can’t mess up beyond God’s repair.

There is no perfect parenting.

There is always something we could have done better. Trust the Lord to do what you failed to do or give to your children. Don’t allow guilt to rob the joy of raising them to the best of your ability.

As you mature, give and share your revelations with them.

Don’t control your children. Guide them.

God did not confine Adam and Eve to rules and regulations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They spent time with the Lord daily and had time to teal the ground and name the animals. They had balance. Being strict does not make children better Christians.

Give them love, acceptance, and recognition.

The Lord expects you to give children balance.

Children need a safe place to express their creativity.

They must discover their unique identity in Christ and enjoy life in the Lord. Whatever mistakes you made in your parenting, give it to the Lord. He has millions of years over you.

He will make sure they hear the gospel and experience his grace.