Raising children to serve the Lord …
Joshua’s bold declaration, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), echoes through the ages as both a battle cry and a blueprint for Christian families. In a time when the people of Israel were tempted to follow other gods or the idols of surrounding cultures, Joshua stood firm. His voice cut through the compromise of the crowd, calling God’s people to make a choice. The same call reaches us today: Who will your family serve?
A Personal Choice
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve …” Joshua 24:15a.
Note the phrase “choose for yourselves.” Faith in Christ is intensely personal. It doesn’t come through inheritance or osmosis. We can’t ride the spiritual coattails of our parents. It’s a choice every individual must make. God has no grandchildren, only children.
A Daily Choice
Note this phrase, too: “choose this day.” Who we serve is a decision. “No one can serve two masters” Matthew 6:24. We either serve God or some other god. This isn’t a one-off choice. A commitment to love and serve the Lord must be made every day. For parents, that means making conscious, consistent decisions that reflect the lordship of Christ in daily life—from media choices to mealtimes, from Sunday worship to weekday priorities.
An Exclusive Choice
Now note the phrase “whom you will serve.” The selection isn’t theoretical; it’s practical. Joshua called the people to renounce false gods and reaffirm their loyalty to the Lord. And he led by example: “As for me …” The path of godly parenting begins with a parent’s choice to follow Christ. Before we nurture our children’s faith, we must be people of faith.
In today’s world of relativism and religious apathy, Christian parents must reject lukewarm spirituality and embrace what the Puritan commentator Matthew Henry called “serious godliness.” In other words, a parent should cultivate sincere, wholehearted devotion to God that shapes their entire life. More than an outward show of religion or formal duty, a parent should have a deep, reverent, and consistent walk with God marked by faith, humility, and obedience. While “serious godliness” should be pursued earnestly and intentionally, it can only be attained when it’s rooted in the transforming power of God’s grace.
An All-In Choice
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15b.
Spiritual responsibility begins at home. Joshua didn’t just speak for himself – he spoke for his household. Note the phrase “me and my house.” This was more than a personal resolution; it was an all-in choice. Joshua didn’t outsource family disciple-making to a priest or prophet, and neither should we.
Christian parenting isn’t a spectator sport. God has placed the primary responsibility for spiritual formation on fathers and mothers. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 makes that abundantly clear: “Impress them [the Scriptures] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road …” Your home should be your children’s first seminary, the dining table a discipleship center, and the bedroom a place for sleep time prayers.
It’s not about being perfect parents; it’s about being present. The world will offer your children countless alternatives to Christ. Your task isn’t to control their future decisions, but to shape their hearts today by being totally committed to sharing the Gospel and being a Christ-like example.
A Lifelong Choice
Joshua’s declaration to “serve the Lord” came at the end of his life. He’d seen the power of God in battle, in the daily provision of manna, and in the slow march through the wilderness. His declaration was informed by what he knew to be true. It wasn’t an empty sentiment. It was a carefully considered choice.
Joshua knew that while he couldn’t save his children, he could incline them in the right direction. Sadly, his legacy was soon forgotten. The book of Judges opens with tragedy: “Another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel” Judges 2:10. Why? Because their parents didn’t follow through on Joshua’s commitment. They chose to follow other gods and not serve the Lord.
Judges 2:10 is a chilling reminder that when parents fail to tell their children about the works and wonders of the Lord (Psalm 78:4), future generations of children won’t see, taste, and trust the goodness of God.
Practical Application
What does it mean for Christian parents today to declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”?
- It means setting the tone spiritually. Start your day in prayer and Scripture. Let your children catch you in worship. Your private faith shapes their public future.
- It means making hard choices. Perhaps you choose to attend church services over travelling or participating in sports. Maybe you limit screen time to feast on God’s Word together.
- It means teaching your children what God has done. Talk about how God saved, guided, and provided for you. Children need stories of faith to inspire their own.
- It means shepherding with love, not legalism. Serving the Lord isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about relationship. Create a home where Jesus is central—where grace is extended, repentance is modelled, and God is revered.
- It means standing firm when others do not. Like Joshua, you may be swimming against the current. Other parents may scoff. Culture may tempt. But your home isn’t defined by the culture—Christ defines it.
Your Choice
You can’t guarantee your children will follow Christ. But you can make it easier for them to see, know, and trust Him. That starts with your unwavering declaration: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
So, the choice is yours. “Serve the Lord.” Today, tomorrow, always. Say it, live it, and by God’s grace—pass it on.
Read the related articles to learn more about raising children to serve the Lord.
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Seven Practical Ways to Cultivate Your Child’s Faith: A Guide for Christian Parents
Christian Parenting: Helping Children Follow Jesus and Live With Purpose
Summary
Raising children to serve the Lord: Joshua’s bold declaration, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” calls Christian parents to a personal, daily, exclusive, inclusive, and lifelong commitment to God. In a world full of distractions and competing allegiances, parenting must begin with our wholehearted devotion to Christ. The spiritual formation of children starts in the home, through intentional discipleship, Christ-centred priorities, and grace-filled example. While we cannot force our children’s faith, we can shape their hearts by faithfully choosing to serve the Lord every day.
FAQ 1. What does “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” mean for Christian parenting?
Joshua’s declaration (Joshua 24:15) is a commitment for families to live under God’s authority and prioritize Him in every area of life. For Christian parents, it means intentionally shaping the home around worship, Scripture, and obedience to Christ. It is not just a personal belief but a family-wide direction that influences decisions, habits, and values.
FAQ 2. How can Christian parents make serving God a daily family practice?
Serving the Lord daily involves small, consistent spiritual rhythms such as prayer, reading Scripture together, and talking about God in everyday moments. It also includes making intentional choices about media, activities, and priorities that reflect Christ’s lordship. These daily practices help children see faith as a lived reality rather than a weekly event (Matthew 6:24).
FAQ 3. Can parents guarantee their children will follow God if they raise them well?
No. While parents cannot guarantee their children’s salvation, they can faithfully point them toward Christ through example, teaching, and spiritual formation at home. Scripture shows that each person must personally choose to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15). However, consistent, Christ-centred parenting significantly shapes a child’s understanding of God and makes faith more visible and accessible to them.
© Scripture Union, 2026
