By By Elizabeth Ugbo
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Nigeria, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), urged parents to intentionally train their children in the ways of the Lord. He stressed that neglecting this responsibility can lead to lifelong sorrow. His message, released in the church’s daily devotional Open Heaven, coincided with global observance of Mothering Sunday.
The Biblical Basis for Intentional Parenting
Drawing from Scripture, Pastor Adeboye contrasted outcomes of diligent training with negligence. He cited Proverbs 17:21: “The father of a fool has no joy,” and Proverbs 10:1: “A wise son brings gladness, but a foolish son is his mother’s heaviness.”
He emphasized that God expects parents to deliberately guide children so they can bring peace and rest to the family. “Intentionally training children yields many benefits, but it is disastrous when parents fail in their duties,” he wrote.
Training Begins with God’s Word
In the devotional The International Parent, Pastor Adeboye stressed that training children begins by filling their hearts with God’s Word. He lamented the decline of Scripture memorization among today’s Christian families.
Reflecting on his own experience, the 84-year-old pastor explained, “Memorizing the Bible has been vital in my ministry, especially in countries with restrictions on religious materials.” He warned that parents cannot impart spiritual wisdom if they themselves are not immersed in God’s Word.
Honoring Mothers on Mothering Sunday
Pastor Adeboye dedicated the devotional’s prayer point to women worldwide, asking God to grant them strength and protection. The message celebrated mothers while urging global Christian communities to recommit to faith-based child-rearing practices.
He concluded by reminding parents that effective parenting is crucial for family stability and the next generation’s spiritual growth.
