Joseph Attoh 
Parenting remains one of the most powerful tools God has entrusted to humanity for shaping destiny and sustaining the future of the Church. Beyond providing for children’s physical needs, parenting is the intentional nurturing, mentoring, and training of a child to become all that God has ordained them to be. This sacred responsibility begins not with the child, but with the parent. Effective parenting is rooted in personal development – an inward, continuous commitment to growth in character, integrity, and godliness – because a child’s well-being is inseparably linked to the parent’s life and values.
Parents are therefore encouraged to invest in their own development long before and throughout their parenting journey. How one speaks, lives publicly, and upholds integrity communicates louder than instruction. Parenting demands lifelong learning, self-examination, and deliberate improvement, as children often imitate what they see more than what they are told.
Importantly, parenting is never done in isolation. While biological parents play the primary role, children grow within communities where peers and other adults significantly influence their attitudes, decisions, and values. Fellow children, especially peers, unknowingly function as “secondary parents” because of their constant interaction. For this reason, parents must look beyond their own households and intentionally consider the broader environment shaping their children.
Christian parenting calls for a posture of inclusiveness, love, and responsibility toward all children within the church and community. Scripture reminds believers to “train up a child,” not merely “your child” (Proverbs 22:6). This underscores a collective responsibility in nurturing every child toward godliness. When parents extend care, guidance, and godly influence on other children, they create a network of positive peer education that reinforces biblical values even in their absence.
Children are, by nature, agents of transformation. With proper guidance, they can become peer educators, decision-makers, and ambassadors of Christ within their societies. Left unguided, the same influence can yield negative outcomes. Hence, parents are urged to be intentional in mentoring not only their own children but also their peers – inviting them into their homes, building healthy relationships, and exposing them to godly teaching.
This generational vision aligns with God’s instruction in Deuteronomy 6:6–9, where parents are commanded to internalise God’s Word and diligently teach it in everyday life. Such living faith ensures that the Gospel is preserved and transmitted across generations.
Ultimately, the endurance of the Church is tied to parenting. The future of faith depends on how parents know God personally, teach their children, and influence others within the parenting ecosystem. When parents see their children and their peers as a congregation entrusted to them, they actively build a Church that will stand the test of time.
Written by Elder Tonnie Baffoe (Agona Swedru Area, SOM Coordinator)
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