TRAIN THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME Dsc. Dsc. DD.

WEDNESDAY JULY 01 2026

TRAIN THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

There’s a clear instruction from the Word concerning the upbringing of children, and it’s not subject to personal opinion or modern cultural trends. The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go,” not in the way he chooses, not in the way society suggests, and not even in the way you merely prefer, but in the way he should go. That way is defined by God’s Word.

Some today have adopted a flawed mindset in raising their children, saying, “In our home, everyone is free to decide what they want to believe or how they want to serve God.” That’s not a Christian home. Christianity is not a democracy of beliefs. When you choose to raise a Christian home, there’s a standard and that standard is the Word of God.

The Bible speaks of those who “...did not like to retain God in their knowledge...” (Romans 1:28). That condition doesn’t start suddenly in adulthood; it’s often the result of a lack of proper training and structure in the formative years. When children are not guided on the right way to serve God, they grow up without the consciousness of God and that absence can lead to grave spiritual consequences.

You don’t negotiate spiritual discipline with a child because the Bible says foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but discipline helps to get rid of it: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). As a Christian parent, don’t entertain the idea of your child deciding not to go to church. Don’t raise children to follow their impulses; raise them to walk in truth.

When you insist on God’s way, consistently, firmly and with love, you’re not being harsh; you’re being obedient to divine instruction. And the result is guaranteed: when they’re old, they won’t depart from it. That training becomes a spiritual compass within them, guiding their choices and preserving their lives.

You’re not called to raise children who merely grow; you’re called to raise children who know God, walk in His ways, and live according to His truth. That responsibility is divine and must be taken seriously.

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, thank you for your grace and wisdom at work in my life. I walk in the light of your Word, applying your truth with consistency, love and firmness. My home is established on your Word, and those under my care are nurtured in righteousness, growing with the consciousness of your presence, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Ephesians 6:4 NIV; 2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV; Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 15:22-35; Esther 5-7

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

2 Corinthians 11:10-33; Isaiah 2

THANK YOU KINDLY AND REMAIN BLESSED

Construction commenced on the N1billion Pastor Adeboye ‘Prayer Garden’

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has commenced the construction of a billion naira project he has tagged ‘Prayer Garden’ in the Redemption Camp along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

Encomium reports that the garden would sit on the newly acquired 25 acres along Simawa Road, Redemption Camp.

Confirming the report, a member of the governing council, who is also a regional evangelist in the mission, Pastor David said, “One of the pillars on which the RCCG is built is prayer and that God has blessed the mission with a leader who does not only talk about praying but leads in praying. As people come to the Prayer Garden, they will encounter God, they will obtain mercy and find help. “

He explained that there will be two prayer cubicles, each of which will have capacity for about 80 people pouring their heart out to God at the same time.

He further said that the topography of the Garden will be maximized to create a prayer mountain for climbers.

“The cubicles are there, then the prayer mountain. There will also be a big hall with capacity for about 7000 people. This hall will be used for services and joint prayers. We are going to have chalets where those who come to pray can rest”, he explained.

He said that the annual pre-convention camping of ministers slated for ordination will now be done in the Garden when concluded. “We will have prayers and counselling, telephone prayer and counselling facilities will also be available.

”The general benefit in creating the Prayer Garden is that when people go there, like what we had in the old Shiloh, they can pour out their hearts to God…We want to also create an avenue where our ordained can gather to seek the face of the Lord because, up to this moment, they normally go out somewhere to pray.

”There is going to be what we call prayer path which will be used for prayer walk. We will also have all books ever written on prayers from all over the world in the library for people to read and to buy from the bookstore.

”By the time all the buildings which we are trusting God to put in place for us within a year or two would be on ground, then we are going to start what we refer to as Redemption School of Prayers, where people are going to be trained to pray. We are also going to have the Redemption School of Deliverance. These two schools will be established”. He disclosed in a recent interview with Encomium.