Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up A Child In The Way....
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Train up a child in the
way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Start children off on
the way they should go, and even when they are
old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) Direct your children
onto the right path, and when they are older,
they will not leave it.
INTRODUCTION
In the way he should go is literally,
according to his [the childs] way. It is natural
to want to bring up all our children alike or
train them the same way. This verse implies that
parents should discern the individuality and special
strengths that God has given each one. While we should
not condone or excuse self-will, each child has
natural inclinations that parents can develop. By
talking to teachers, other parents, and
grandparents, we can better discern and develop the
individual capabilities of each child. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
On the Right Path
A father and his son were hiking up a
mountain when they came to a difficult place on the
trail. While the father was contemplating which way
he should go, he heard his son say, Choose
the right path, Dad. Im coming right behind
you.
As parents, we have a direct influence on
our children. Our children are watching us. They
listen to what we say, but more importantly, they
watch what we do.
Lets say, for instance, that you drink
in front of your children. Then one day your
children have a problem with alcohol, and you wonder
why. Or perhaps you fight with your spouse in
front of your children and maybe even ask them to
take sides in the argument (which is always a
horrible idea). Then youre shocked when your adult
children have the same issues in their marriages.
When the Bible talks about the sins of
the parents being visited on the children, it
isnt describing a mystical curse that is passed
on from generation to generation. Rather,
its simply talking about the repeated behavior
of sin that can be passed on.
For example, if parents are divorced,
chances are far greater that their children will end
up divorced. However, if both parents attend
church regularly, chances are far greater that
their children will attend regularly as well.
So, not only can we pass sins on to our
children, but we can pass blessings on to them as
well. And its a lot easier to build a child
than to repair an adult. Be the godly example. Be
the godly leader. Read the Bible to your
children before they go to bed at night. Pray with
them. As you do that, youre modeling what it is
to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Live a life with Christ that will make
your children desire the same relationship with
Him. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
Many parents have taken this verse as
sanction for forcing a child to follow the profession
or trade they think he ought to. Thus they have
brought sorrow and disappointment upon themselves,
for the child, on growing up, often goes an
entirely different way. The verse rather counsels
parents to learn the way in which their particular
child can be expected to be of most service to
himself and others, and in which he will find most
happiness. The specific station in life appointed for a
man is determined by his capabilities (Ed 267).
To every individual God has assigned a place in
His great plan (PK 536). God has equipped man
with the capabilities needed to fill this special
place. Therefore the choice of a lifework should be
in line with the natural bent. The efforts of
the parents and the child should be directed
toward discovering the kind of work Heaven has
already determined. Inspiration declares that this
verse enjoins parents to direct, educate,
develop, but that to do this they must themselves
understand the way the child should go (CT
108). [SDA Bible Commentary]
To parents is committed the great work of
educating and training their children for the future,
immortal life. Many fathers and mothers seem to think
that if they feed and clothe their little ones,
and educate them according to the standard of
the world, they have done their duty. They are
too much occupied with business or pleasure to
make the education of their children the study of
their lives. They do not seek to train them so
that they will employ their talents for the honor
of their Redeemer. Solomon did not say, "Tell a
child the way he should go, and when he is old, he
will not depart from it." But, "Train up a child
in the way he should go, and when he is old, he
will not depart from it." {CG 38.2}
Do you have a strong relationship with
your children? The way we first think about God
has much to do with how we were parented -
especially by our father. What image of the Lord are
you portraying?
Many men struggle in their role as dads
because their own fathers were either absent -
physically or emotionally - or poor examples. But
regardless of what a person experienced in the past,
the best thing any parent can do is imitate God
the Father. But how do we know who He really
is?
We get our best glimpse of what the
heavenly Father is like by looking at His Son.
Speaking with the disciples, Jesus said, I am the
way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but through Me . He who has seen
Me has seen the Father (John 14:6, 9). Not
only is Christ our path to relationship with God;
He is also the way we come to know the
Fathers true character.
When we look at Jesus life, what do we
see? He was merciful, patient, gentle,
compassionate, kind, and full of goodness toward all people
(Matt. 9:10-13). The Savior healed the sick,
provided for needs, and offered forgiveness -
regardless of the offense (Matt. 14:14-21; Luke 23:34).
But in love, He didnt hesitate to discipline
or correct others when required.
More than a solid education or material
possessions, your childs greatest need is a role model
of devotion to God through prayer, Bible
reading, and holy living. If you make knowing and
following the heavenly Father your first priority, you
wont have to worry about what kind of parent you
will be. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles
Stanley at www.intouch.org re Eph. 6:4]
ILLUSTRATION
My dad repaired oil-field engines for a
living and rebuilt car engines for fun. Dad loved
machines. But God gave him a mechanical morona son
who couldnt differentiate between a
differential and a brake disc. My dad tried to teach me.
I tried to learn. Honestly, I did.
Machines anesthetized me. But books
fascinated me. What does a mechanic do with a son who
loves books? He gives him a library card. Buys him
a few volumes for Christmas. Places a lamp by
his bed so he can read at night. Pays tuition so
his son can study college literature in high
school. My dad did that.
You know what he didnt do? Never once
did he say, Why cant you be a mechanic
like your dad and granddad? The greatest gift
you can give your children is not your riches,
but revealing to them their own! [Max Lucado
Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com re Eph. 6:4]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up A Child & He Will
Not Depart.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050221-0845.html
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - How To Live For Jesus.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040220-1719.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
