The Courage to Raise Godly Children

June 1, 2026/Le Ann Trees/
Photo Credit: Nathan Mueller

Photo Credit: Nathan Mueller

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A while back I read a series of articles by author Alex Berenson on the diminishing birth rates in wealthy countries. In this series Berenson attempts to determine why, particularly in times and places where infant and childhood mortality rates are extremely low and resources to raise healthy children are vast, so many people are choosing to remain childless.

Along the way in the series, Berenson features numerous reasons suggested by readers for the current state of children being out of favor, including but not limited to: selfishness, fear of the unknown both in regard to children’s health and various world crises, expenses in raising children, and the fact that many people have bought into progressive thinking that bringing too many people into the world is bad for humanity’s continued existence.

To be clear, Berenson is not addressing the ability to have children but rather the choice about whether to have children.

Thankfully, as I read through the comments I found that a lot of people have seen through progressivism’s lies regarding the supposedly moral obligation to deny oneself the opportunity to be a parent. They decided to have children anyway, much to their overall happiness. It’s interesting to read the comments in another post by Berenson on this topic, as well as an extensive reflection by one of his readers on over-parenting in a culture obsessed with safety.

Sure, there were sacrifices along the way for these parents, such as less money and time to spend on themselves, but the joy and fulfillment they experienced in loving and raising their children were far beyond what they had imagined.

Children are a blessing from God.

As Christians, however, we shouldn’t be taken in by secular teaching that demeans God’s design and purpose for procreation. We have God’s good word to guide us, and the Bible is clear that children are a blessing from God:

And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” (Gen. 33:5)

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord! (Ps. 113:9)

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Ps. 127:3-5)

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:2-3)

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:10)

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:14)

For Jesus to compare little children to citizens of the kingdom of heaven shows the unfathomable value God places on the little ones he gives us to raise to love him.

Our children need courageous parents to protect and prepare them.

We live in a post-Christian culture that is hostile to true Christianity, and children are especially vulnerable to the deceptive tactics of the devil. Christian parents are charged with both protecting their children from the world and preparing them for the world. This takes prayer, discernment, Bible study, church attendance, love, wisdom, and, more than ever, courage.

The family is where God has designed children to be born into and be raised. In this time of the already-and-not-yet between Jesus’ first and second coming, God is building Christ’s kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit. A Christian husband and wife come together in marriage to establish a household under God’s good order, and if he blesses this family with children, the parents are to raise them up in the Lord.

Christian parents don’t need to be fearful like those who don’t know God.

When we think about all the hostile forces determined to thwart our goal of raising godly children, it is easy to become anxious and frightened. But we know from God’s word that he has not given us a spirit of fear but instead a spirit “of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

We need much wisdom as we approach parenting and raising our children, and until Christ’s return Christians have the privilege and duty to raise their children in the love of God, obedience to his commands, and true hope in Christ our Savior. By staying in his Word, surrounding our families with dear brothers and sisters in Christ through regular church attendance, and never ceasing to petition our heavenly Father, even with our often feeble prayers, we can have peace of heart that God is in control and has a good plan for our children, even amid tumultuous times.

It is the duty of all Christians to cherish and nurture not only our own children and grandchildren but also all the children God brings into our lives in our families, churches, neighborhoods, schools, and everyday activities of life. Regardless of the challenges we face as parents in a fallen world, we can trust in our faithful God to keep us safe in his loving arms throughout life as parents.

All believers are children of God.

The status of a child is such a special one in the sight of God that all believers are called children of God:

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Rom. 8:14-17)

As we love our children, may we always remember that, regardless of our age, we also are children—children of God—and our heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love.

This article is adapted from “The Courage to Raise Godly Children” in Beautiful Christian Life’s November 2023 newsletter, “Children.”

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