Train up a Child In The Way He Should Go: Teaching your Kids the Right Way to Live

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6 (ASV)

Proverbs 22 is a text that shows King Solomon reflecting on behavior and good conduct. In this passage, the king reflected on moral values and the importance of building good foundations from childhood.

To better understand verse six, we need to put it into context with the first six verses of Proverbs 22:

¹A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
And loving favor rather than silver and gold.
² The rich and the poor meet together:
Jehovah is the maker of them all.
³ A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself;
But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
⁴ The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah
Is riches, and honor, and life.
⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse:
He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go,
And even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:1-6 (ASV)

Each verse tackles a different moral value:

• 1st verse: talks about the importance of having a good reputation.
• 2nd verse: shows that all mankind equally submit before God.
• 3rd verse: reminds us of the importance of prudence and caution.
• 4th verse: talks about the benefits of humility.
• 5th verse: warns of the dangers we may stumble across on the path.
• 6th verse: shows the importance of teaching the child the path they should walk.

In the sixth verse, King Solomon points out the importance of assimilating certain virtues in childhood: a good reputation, prudence, humility, and submission to God. This is so that, through the teaching of these values, we can conduct ourselves well before God throughout our lives.

The instruction of these points at an early age gives the individual the ability to turn away from what is bad and walk on the right path.

Teach in childhood so that the child has a dignified life when they grow up.

Teach the Word of God, Christian values, and virtues so that the child becomes a good person. But in the end, the choice will be theirs alone. When they grow up, they will make their own decisions.

Despite being wise advice, Proverbs 22:6 is not a promise. It's a statement that the teaching we give our children in childhood will influence them in adulthood. The fact that we pass on these values in childhood is no guarantee that those who have received the instruction will not deviate in their behavior. Those who have been grounded in God's Word from childhood will have the means to lead an upright, prosperous, and dignified life. However, with free will, it is always up to those who receive instruction to practice what they have learned and stick to what they have been taught.

How The Church Can Help

We read in Matthew 19:14 a profound statement by Jesus, He says "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This passage is a valuable lesson in how the church can help parents to direct children on the right path.

To 'not hinder them' indicates the importance of creating an environment where children can freely access and embrace the teachings of Christ. It calls for an inclusive and nurturing atmosphere within the church, where children are not excluded or overlooked but are welcomed with open arms. This involves integrating them into the fabric of the church community, acknowledging their unique needs, and providing ways to grow spiritually.

This verse also emphasizes the need to prioritize the spiritual development of children, because 'The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these'. The church should actively facilitate an understanding of the Gospel and the love of Christ. As we invest in the spiritual upbringing of children, we are enriching their lives and sowing seeds for a future where they can navigate life with Christian principles.

Following the Wrong Path

In the Bible, we find examples of people who were well-educated and chose different paths. One example is that of the prophet Samuel and Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Both received the same instructions and were under the same teaching conditions. Eli's sons - despite being priests - treated the things of God with contempt, had a bad reputation, and committed immoralities within the temple (1 Samuel 2:12-23).

Unlike Eli's sons, little Samuel ministered in the temple and continued to grow in the esteem of the Lord and the people, performing his duties with righteousness and humility (1 Samuel 2:18, 26).

The neglect of Hophni and Phinehas, on the other hand, had catastrophic consequences. In addition to Israel losing 30,000 men in battle, the brother priests were killed and lost the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11). When Eli heard the news - he was 98 years old and blind - he fell off his chair in terror, broke his neck and died. His pregnant daughter-in-law - on hearing the news - went into labor and also died (1 Samuel 4:18-19).

Following good advice

All these things happened after God's warning to Eli, which was unfortunately neglected by the priest. When we don't walk in the ways we've been taught, we run the risk of making the very mistakes we've been warned not to make. Eli and his sons had a tragic end, but Samuel - who lived and learned in the temple - continued in righteousness and was raised up by God as a prophet of Israel.

Permissive and negligent parents tend to reap bitter fruit in the future. Parents are responsible for the care and upbringing of their children. Love, talk to, advise, and give limits to children. It may be difficult at first, but a well-mannered person will appreciate the value of this in the future.

Walk in the way the child should walk.

This is how we should instruct children according to God's Word: by setting a good example through our lives and always leading them to good practices. Our permanence and attitude reaffirm what we teach.

The Apostle Paul, when he instructed the first Christians, did the same, setting an example for them to follow:

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1

There's no point in teaching the values of God's Word if we don't walk according to what we preach. Even though they are small, children understand what is right and what is wrong. They notice hypocrisy and falsehood, as well as truth and sincerity, and they will imitate what they see.

When we speak of Christ and imitate Him, the child assimilates what we say and this gives them security and direction. This is the best way to teach children how to walk, through teaching and practice. Those who instruct in this way are wise and will have great cause for joy because the instruction they have received has not been thrown away and will certainly bear good fruit!