Raising Agents of Change- Part 1

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the month of December. I pray that this month, you and your household will always have reasons to rejoice in Jesus’ name. This month, we will be focusing on Raising Agents of Change.

Considering the perspective of the family, children are one of the agents of change the world needs. The Word says: As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth (Psalms 127:4). Today, the world is filled with a lot of pollution, thereby making it difficult to raise children. Nevertheless, children have been ordained the salt of the earth by God (Matthew 5:13). So just as a moderate salt is vital to making one’s soup taste good, these change agents into the world to effect a change, thereby putting an end to the pollution in the world.

Therefore, raising these change agents begins from the home. This is why the demand for home training becomes of uttermost importance. Most of the time, people’s misbehaviours are linked to a lack of home training or poor moral upbringing. Some parents spend fortunes laying a solid foundation for their children’s education while neglecting the investment in their upbringing. So parents must wake up to their responsibility (Proverbs 22:6). Home training is the foundation for a successful future. The Word says: If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do (Psalm 11:13). No matter how wonderful and beautiful a building looks outwardly, if the foundation is faulty, give it time, it will definitely collapse.

What is home training? Home training means directing the growth of a child through instruction and practice in the home. So, home training equals child training. Teaching is about instructions, but training is the combination of instructions and practice. Therefore, it is not enough to tell a child what to do; you must also practice what you tell your child to do, which is living by example. Bishop David Oyedepo usually talks about the role his grandmother played in his upbringing. If she had modelled a wrong behaviour to him, it would have affected him to some extent. Likewise, the peace I saw modelled by my parents in their marriage is what I practice in my home till now, and the fruits are showing.

There are three aspects of a child’s life that parents must take cognisance of to mould them as agents of change. These areas are: Spiritual, Physical and Emotional aspects.

• Spiritually. Parents must take their children to church and ensure they stay in their classes. Having rested after the church service, parents should go through what their children learnt together, ask them questions and give godly counsel (Psalms 1:1). Also, ensure that your children partake in the devotions at home, maintain a lifestyle of prayer and give them ample time to study God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).
• Physically. The place of quality education, nutritious food, shelter and respect for elders is included in this. Parents should ask God for wisdom on how to raise their children as the agents God has created them to be (Proverbs 22:6).
• Emotionally. The right environment should be cultivated for children with the needed care, love and support. Take time to find your child’s love language and speak to them constantly.

A wise man said, “The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day.” I would like every parent to try this formula because it works.

Above all, you must show your children that life is vanity without a relationship with Jesus Christ. However, that begins with you building and sustaining a relationship with Him. So, if you are not born again, please say this prayer of faith:  Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born Again.

Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Building a Successful Family and Covenant Pathways to Hitch Free Marriage (new release).