“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV).
To train a child is to instruct or direct the child in the right path, and when the child is older, he or she will not leave it. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life…” The way here is Christ. When a child is trained in the right path, the way becomes their lifestyle. This means parents ought to know the way in order to train their children, living out the Christ life as an example for the children to emulate. Godliness requires self-discipline; that is why as parents we are to exercise our spirit through the Word of God by the help of the Holy Spirit and by growing in the grace of God.
How you train a child is vital to his or her development in fulfilling their God ordained purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). Every child of God needs a good foundation in the knowledge of the Word of God, who is Jesus. Revelation 19:13 says, “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God”. The word of God is the embodiment of God. God wants all His children to be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Timothy was trained by his mother and grandmother in the holy scriptures. When Paul met him as a youth, he recognized the virtues that was instilled in him by grace and admonished him saying, “as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV). As a parent, receive grace to put God’s word to practice and be the role model for your own children as Christ enables you. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
PRAYER / CONFESSION
Dear Father, thank you for teaching me in the way I should go. I am founded on your Word and do not depart from the teachings you’ve instilled in me, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
WISDOM NUGGET “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action)” 2 Timothy 3:16