Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6)
LORD Jesus, we praise You, for You are the Master Teacher. You have made us, and You are the One who has made our children. Your Wisdom and Patience and Love are so much better than ours. They are perfect in every way. Forgive us, O God we pray, whenever we are trying to approach the training of our children in a way that would please this world but would bring absolutely no honor to You at all. Teach us and let us learn more and more about the Father’s Love. Enable us to train up our children in the way that they should go, and that their education will honor You and bring glory to You alone. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
Matthew Henry called the training up of our children our great duty in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not die with us.
2024 has been the first year of trying to grow fruits and vegetables in the garden of our new home. It did not go so well. I know that this usually happens during a first year of gardening in a new place, so I’m not worried about the outcome this year.
After all, the strawberries did turn out to be very tasty. The plants did not provide an abundance of fruit for us, but this specific variety is supposed to grow strawberries twice a year. The second time I would not let them grow fruit again, but decided to train up runners which will give us fruit in the following year.
Sometimes we do not get to enjoy the fruit in due season, and during the next season we might no longer be around. What we should do, however, is to pass on what we have (experienced, learned, found out) to the next generation (see Deuteronomy 6:7, Psalm 145:4, and Proverbs 22:6, for example).
In his comment for today’s verse, Matthew Henry goes on to say,
Train them up, not in the way they would go (the bias of their corrupt hears would draw them aside), but in the way they should go, the way in which, if you love them, you would have them go.
There is only one good way to train up a child in the way that he should go, and that is God’s way, for His way is best. Self is strong and longs to be independent, self-sufficient, and therefore not dependable upon the LORD. If we want our children to follow in His steps, we will have to give them a good start (and be their example) in seeking Christ.
Habits are important. Forming a habit in the young child and getting him to do things without always questioning the task or the teacher. Having a routine to do things also reduces stress. We will know the things that need to get done, the way to accomplish them, and how long it will take us to reach the goal.
Stay consistent. Repetition! Repetition! Repetition! Stick to it, and, if you have not done so yet, develop a daily routine of Bible reading, praise, and prayer. Beloved do not neglect this.
Matthew Henry points out that,
Many indeed have departed from the good way in which they were trained up; Solomon himself did so. But early training may be a means of their recovering themselves, as it is supposed Solomon did. At least the parents will have the comfort of having done their duty and used the means.
This is so important! Teaching our children, and making sure that they are establishing good habits while growing up, is vital for their walk in the Christian faith. Also, a good prayer life will keep them going; but more importantly, they will need to develop a deep and personal relationship with their heavenly Father. We will talk more about that in a future blog post.
Claim the time and the space where you can meet the LORD your God today.
