God’s Call to Parents: Raising Children in the Knowledge of God and His Delivering Power
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
God has never left the spiritual formation of children to chance. From the beginning, He placed a holy responsibility upon parents to raise their children in the knowledge of who He is, what He does, and how He delivers His people from evil. This calling is not harsh, but it is firm. Scripture makes it clear that parents are accountable before God for how they teach, model, and guide their children in spiritual truth.
In a world that increasingly minimizes spiritual realities, God calls parents to lovingly anchor their children in truth—teaching them about His goodness, His authority, and His power to deliver people from the influence of evil spirits.
God Holds Parents Spiritually Accountable
God’s Word places the responsibility of spiritual instruction squarely upon parents, not institutions, churches alone, or culture.
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…”
— Deuteronomy 6:5–7 (KJV)
Teaching God’s ways is not meant to be occasional or abstract—it is meant to be intentional, consistent, and woven into daily life.
The Bible also gives a sobering warning:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
If parents fail to teach their children “the way they should go” because they fail to instruct and teach their children the ways and word of God, they may forget the Lord when they get older, and the world will begin to instruct and teach them worldly ways that lead down the wrong road.
This verse in Proverbs 22:6 implies both promise and responsibility. Training does not happen by accident. What parents sow spiritually in their children will shape how those children understand God, evil, authority, and freedom later in life.
Jesus Took Children Seriously
Jesus never viewed children as too young for spiritual truth. In fact, He rebuked those who tried to keep them away.
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
— Mark 10:14 (KJV)
Children are capable of understanding God at their level, and Jesus welcomed them into spiritual awareness. Shielding children from all spiritual realities does not protect them—it leaves them unprepared.
When Jesus was only 12 years old, he sat at the steps of the temple and expounded the word of God to the point that it left the religious leaders astounded.
Luke 2:41-52
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Teaching Children About Deliverance Without Fear
The Bible does not avoid the subject of evil spirits, and neither should parents. However, Scripture always presents God’s authority as greater, and deliverance as an act of love and mercy, not fear. For a parent to fail to teach their children about the delivering power of the Lord would be like never showing them this verse found in the epistle that God had the Apostle John to write.
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
— 1 John 3:8 (KJV)
Parents should explain deliverance to children in simple, age-appropriate language, emphasizing these truths:
God is good and loving
Evil exists, but it is not equal to God
Jesus has all power and authority
Deliverance means God helping people become free
Deliverance is not about demons—it is about freedom and this is how it should be presented to all including children.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
— John 8:32 (KJV)
The focus must always be about “truth” and “freedom” that God offers to all.
Why God Brings Deliverance
Children often ask “why,” and Scripture gives clear answers parents can gently share with their younger children.
God brings deliverance because:
He loves people.
He does not want anyone in bondage to doing bad (evil) things.
He desires peace, healing, and sound minds.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
— Acts 10:38 (KJV)
Deliverance is an expression of God’s compassion, not His anger. God is love.
It is interesting to also note that when Jesus in Matthew 12 was being accused of sorcery when Jesus healed a deaf and mute man, Jesus responded to them by asking those who accused him of sorcery this question… “by whom do your children cast them out?”
This is an astounding statement that Jesus makes to them because it implies that even children could cast out devils. This of course would require teaching by their parents over time until their children can understand the Lord and his truths written in the word of God.
Teaching Children on Their Level: Practical Ways for Parents
1. Model Faith Before You Teach It
Children learn more from what parents live than what they say. If a parent believes in the delivering power of God, their children will also.
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
Pray openly. Speak kindly. Repent humbly. Trust God visibly.
2. Use Simple Language
For young children:
“Jesus helps people when something bad is bothering them.”
“God makes people free on the inside when they are struggling.”
For older children:
Explain spiritual authority
Teach discernment, not paranoia
Emphasize prayer and Scripture as protection
Jesus taught that believers are protected from the demonic, and that the believers focus is not about casting out demons, but rejoicing that their names are written in the book of life:
“ 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
— Luke 10:19-20 (KJV)
3. Read Scripture Together Regularly
God’s Word itself teaches and protects.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation…”
— 2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
Short readings, consistency, and family discussion are more effective than long lectures.
4. Teach Prayer as Communication, Not Ritual
Children should know prayer is talking to God who is a loving Father.
“Call upon me, and I will answer thee…”
— Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)
Teach them to pray when afraid, confused, and when they are also feeling thankful. Prayer is key, and every child should know how to express themselves in talking to the Lord in prayer.
5. Teach Authority Through Christ, Not Fear of Evil
Children should know they are not powerless.
“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4 (KJV)
Focus on Christ’s victory—not on the darkness that exist in the world.
A Gentle Warning to Parents
Scripture is clear that neglecting spiritual instruction has consequences—not as punishment, but as loss.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”
— Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
God is merciful, but He calls parents to be watchful stewards of their children’s spiritual lives.
Conclusion: A Sacred Trust
Raising children in the knowledge of God—including His power to deliver—is a sacred trust. Parents are not expected to be perfect, but they are expected to be faithful in raising their children in the ways of the Lord.
God equips who He calls.
“And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
— Isaiah 54:13 (KJV)
When parents gently, consistently, and truthfully teach their children about God, His love, His Word, Prayer, and His deliverance, they are planting seeds that will bear fruit for a lifetime.
