Children do minister, allow them

Start by learning and teaching children God's word
Deut 6:6-7

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

God requires that we deliberately teach our children His commands. This is the foundation that will help them begin to minister at a young age. As a parent, it is important that this word of God be in you so that you teach from a point of agreement with God.

Encourage children to continue in God's word at all ages
2 Tim 3:14-15

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote to Timothy reminding him to continue.. Timothy had been taught scriptures from infancy as the scripture shows us and so on this foundation of God's word he was encouraged to continue in the ways of God.

Parents need to lay a foundation that will help children know God at a tender age.

God is clear that children are His and that He uses them
Psalms 127:3

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.

If then they are from God, they have the potential to accomplish God's will on earth.

Psalms 8:2

2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.

Imagine God does such a powerful deed as this. Using children to establish strongholds against enemies and silencing the avenger! What a powerful gift God has blessed parents with! Let us unlock this potential in Jesus name.

Matt 18:10

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

The message version puts it this way:
10 “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?

This truth is so powerful that we should teach the children as early as possible God's words so that they can join in to pray for us parents when we are in need! Praise God.

The story of Samuel, a baby fully given to the Lord after weaning
1 Sam 1:21-22

21 When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”[c]

• We can start by dedicating our children to the Lord and committing to training them in His ways. Hannah took a step further and gave her only son to live at the temple serving God daily.

1 Sam 3:1,4,7,19-21

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

• We can actually have activities that are christian and miss on pointing the children to God. Notice Samuel was serving under Eli in verse 1, but in verse 7 we are told Samuel did not know the Lord yet. We can pray for our children and ask God to call them as He did to Samuel in verse 4. He will reveal Himself to them.

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

• God continued to use Samuel in such a great way that none of Samuel's words fell on the ground! How powerful!
• God continued to reveal Himself to Samuel through His word. Let us allow our children an opportunity to know God. They will minister and serve nations.

God can change the story of a lineage through children

The story of King Josiah

2 Kings 22:1-2

1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

It is interesting that the bible refers to Josiah as a son of David, see below verses and you notice his biological father was Amon who was evil. His grandfather was Manasseh who was also evil! (verse 19-23).

2 Kings 21:25-26

25 As for the other events of Amon’s reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 26 He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza. And Josiah his son succeeded him as king.

This is the story of hope for the children! God can preserve them. God can re-write their stories! We as parents have the power to change the destiny of other children who interact with our children by introducing them to our Lord and saviour.

Be encouraged dear parent!

Some useful resources to help you raise a godly child
Heritage Parenting: A Parent's Guide to Intentionally Raising Godly Children
A Shift Has Come: Pearls of Wisdom for Raising Successful, Godly Children
The Sons of Eli: Or Words of Caution, Counsel, and Encouragement, Addressed to the Children of Godly Parents (1877)
The Obedience Factor: How to Raise Godly Children
Footprints: Raising Godly Children: The Life and Legacy of Robert L. Hoover Sr.
Speaking Forth Godly Children: Influencing the Personality and Character of Children Yet Unborn.
How To Raise Godly Children
My Book of Godly Characteristics: For Children
Christian Parenting: The ABC Technique for Parents to Raise Godly Children (Special Prayers for Children Included)