TOPIC: RAISING GODLY BOYS
MEMORISE:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
READ: 1 SAMUEL 2:18-26
18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
MESSAGE:
In many societies today, more focus is placed on training girls than boys. While it is good to train female children to become responsible adults, the same focus must also be given to training boys; they must not be neglected. Every boy is a man in the making and the future leader of a home, church, organisation, or nation. Zechariah 13:7 says, "...smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered..." The devil understands this, so he tries to strike future shepherds before they are grown so that the sheep they are meant to guide will be scattered. Every little boy around you is going to be a leader tomorrow, and the kind of leader he will be is dependent on the way he is raised today.
Samuel lived in the same house as the irresponsible sons of Eli, but he was not like them because he was a product of prayer (1 Samuel 1:11), dedication (1 Samuel 1:25-28), and godly grooming (1 Samuel 1:22). If you are a parent, you must ensure that you pray for your boys constantly and dedicate them to God. You must spend quality time with them, grooming them to become good men who are well-suited to serving God. If you do these, with God helping you, you will raise men like Samuel.
The Bible tells us that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favour with God and man (Luke 2:40, 52). That is the divine pattern - every boy should be nurtured to grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. For example, statistics show that many prison inmates had irresponsible fathers who were not present in their lives. Also, many boys today are left to be trained by social media, ungodly friends, and worldly music. Some parents only correct their sons after they have gotten someone pregnant, dropped out of school, or been sent to jail. It is better to train them when they are young than try to change them later; prevention is better than deliverance.
Today is the International Day of the Boy Child, and I urge all parents, guardians, and the Church to invest in boys just as they invest in girls. We must teach boys to pray and respect authority. We must also teach them the fear of God so they can build godly families when they are grown. I pray that every boy child will grow up into responsible leaders who will please the Lord with their lives, in Jesus' name.
KEY POINT:
Every boy is a future leader, and they must be given the best training possible to help them become responsible leaders in society.
AUTHOR PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 CHRONICLES 32-34
HYMN 28:
GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH
1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
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