THE TRUST CALLED PARENTING BY OLUWABUSAYO ADEBOWALE (PART 2)

Let’s continue looking at the ways we can bring the children to Jesus;

3. EXPOSE THEM EARLY

From the womb, your children can be filled with The Holy Spirit. Never buy into the lies that they are just kids. Even your toddlers. They watch Coco Melon and co from infancy, but you are reserving God's word till they are older. Please don't do that. Expose them to God's Word and the atmosphere of Jesus early. Take them to prophetic meetings.

When you soak in worship, carry them along. They are not a bother; such is the Kingdom of God, remember? God is well pleased when we "allow them to come." Go for bringing in the sheaves and take them along. Let them preach too and minister to people during evangelism. I take my daughter along for Evangelism, and it's always so powerful when she prophesies God's word and pray for the people we meet. Hmmmm.! Very powerful! Please don't look down on any child. I remember a woman I stopped to buy mango from who was acting all cranky. I was not interested in waiting because it was getting late, and I needed to get us (Eden and I) home... the woman's attitude wasn't good either. Then my daughter tugged at me and said The Holy Spirit said we should minister to her. I encouraged her to do so because I didn't receive anything (impatience was the veil that stood in the way that day for me. Then she told the woman, "God said I should tell you that. He loves you so much". Brethren, this woman suddenly lit up the switch was drastic! She started sharing testimonies of God's love for her and telling us things about her life. Oh, she was so happy! I learned the power of "God loves you" and many other lessons that day.

P.S - DON’T give them cartoons during bible study or in church pleaseeeeee!

4. CREATE STRUCTURES AROUND YOUR FAMILY THAT ALLOW FOR FELLOWSHIP

Family Devotion is a great one. Make sure to involve them, too. For instance, in my family, we have devotion and bible study together before we sleep. We study a chapter or half of a chapter in the bible, share the insights The Holy Spirit gave us individually, and pray from the scripture. It is usually an amazing time of communion. We also do a monthly praise and testimony day where everyone recounts the goodness of God throughout the month.

5. HELP THEM BUILD THEIR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Demystify praying... teach them how to pray to God. Don't just give them things they desire; direct them to God. Teach them to hear God for themselves (oh, this is so easy for children!) Teach them to study God's Word. The child can't read yet; there are audio bible apps.... “Bible IS” app has one. YOUversion too! For the children who can read, please get a hard copy bible for them and teach them to engage the Holy Spirit in studying the bible and write what He is saying to them. When they are sick, teach them to enforce the power of Jesus upon their bodies. Let it be that they are always directed to Jesus. Teach them about their identity in Christ early. They belong to a Kingdom, and they are a Chosen Generation. Ground them in their identities in Christ.

TO BE CONTINUED….