◄ What Does Proverbs 22:6 Mean? ►

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6(NASB)

Verse of the Day

While many regard this proverb as a precious promise, others consider it a severe warning, but all would be wise to recognise the godly principle on which this word of wisdom is founded.

Children are a gift from God and to dedicate time and patience in the child-training process is the right, responsibility, and joy of all parents. All children are born with a propensity towards evil, and training infants and young people in godly conduct, wise choices, and appropriate accountability for their actions and attitudes is a God-given, tool to help set a child in the right direction for their life.

For the Christian parent, appropriate training; vocationally, morally, intellectually, musically, educationally, spiritually, or simply encouraging the development of deportment or the promotion of individual gifts and talents, should always be founded on the Word of God and bathed in daily prayer, as day by day they seek to set an example of right living and of godly conduct.

Although this is a general principle and wise proverb, we know that there are some that seek to train up their child in the way they should go, but sadly their child departs from the way. They become rebellious and stray from the path of righteousness. But Scripture always encourages such parents to hope in the Lord, to pray for their repentance, and to look for the day when the prodigal returns to the fold with a penitent heart and a cry for forgiveness, for it is not God's will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But there are also many who do not have the benefit of a godly father or a prayerful mother, who have not been brought up in the way they should go. There are those who, knowingly or unwittingly, have encouraged their children to develop worldly ways, sinful habits, and ungodly patterns of behavior. So does this verse exclude those children from God's promise of forgiveness? Never! for God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Children, grandchildren, boys, and girls are all a gift from God. May we who have been given the privilege, responsibility, and joy of children, whether our own or those of others, seek to train them up in the way they should go. May we share with them the good news of Jesus Christ and, day by day, point them in the direction of godly conduct, wise choices and appropriate accountability, praying always that when they are old that they will not depart from the way of righteousness.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege, responsibility, and joy of the children You have placed in my life. I humbly ask that You would guide me in the way that I should teach them and train them, and pray that they may grow up in the fear and nurture of the Lord. May they grow in godly conduct, make wise choices, and learn to be both responsible towards others and accountable to authority. Keep them from worldly ways, direct and govern their lives, and may they never depart from the way of righteousness. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.