During a baby dedication service, as I held an infant in my arms, a stirring question rose within my spirit: “What will become of this child?”It was not a mere thought but a prophetic question that has echoed through the ages since the people of Israel asked it of John the Baptist in Luke 1:66. This question carries divine weight because every child is born with destiny, purpose, and God’s fingerprints upon their life. It is a question that should awaken every parent, guardian, and member of the Church to the sacred responsibility of shaping and guiding the next generation toward the fulfillment of God’s plan for their lives.
Children are not accidents of biology; they are divine assignments; vessels of purpose sent into the world at an appointed time. Psalm 127:3–4 reminds us that children are a heritage from the Lord, like arrows in the hands of a warrior. Arrows are crafted, sharpened, and released toward a target, and in the same way, children must be molded, directed, and released into their divine callings. Raising a child, therefore, goes beyond providing comfort, education, or social mobility. It demands discernment, prayer, and spiritual nurturing to discover and develop the gifts and callings God has placed within them.
The mystery of divine formation is revealed in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”This shows that God’s plan for every child predates conception. Each child is a divine scroll, written by God Himself, waiting to be read and revealed through godly parenting and spiritual mentorship. Society may see children as blank pages to be written upon, but heaven sees them as pre-written stories of purpose waiting to unfold. It is our duty as parents, teachers, and spiritual leaders to help interpret and nurture what God has already inscribed in their hearts.
This sacred responsibility requires faith, prayer, and intentional action. Proverbs 22:6 gives the divine mandate: “Train up a child in the way he should go.”The phrase “in the way he should go” implies that every child has a unique path; one that must be discerned, not imposed. Parents must therefore pray for revelation about their children’s destinies, speak words of life and identity over them, and create a home environment saturated with the Word of God. Children learn more from what they see than from what they are told; thus, the faith and integrity of parents and guardians become the living curriculum through which destiny is shaped.
The Church also plays an indispensable role. Ministries for children, teens, and youth are not optional, they are essential platforms where purpose is nurtured and faith is strengthened. When the Church partners with families in raising godly children, the Kingdom of God advances with strength and continuity. It is through this partnership that we raise a generation that will not only succeed in life but also fulfill divine purpose, impacting society with godly values and spiritual influence.
“What will become of this child?” is not a question of doubt but of destiny. It calls us to look beyond the cradle and see the crown, beyond infancy and see influence, beyond potential and see purpose. Every child is a seed of divine greatness, and with prayer, wisdom, and love, that seed can grow into a mighty tree of righteousness. Let us, therefore, rise as stewards of destiny – raising children who will not only live well but live for God, fulfilling the purpose for which they were sent into this world.
Written by Pastor Andrews Owusu, PIWC Nkwanta
