Train Up A Child
by Betty Jackson
This is the first article in a series intended to encourage parents in the most important work they will ever do: Securing the hearts of their children.
Where do we begin? Perhaps with the word “HELP”! Only an arrogant parent would say that she did not need some advice during a crisis with her child. Often the crisis is not as earth shattering as one may think at the time. Yet none should be oblivious to the teachings of the Bible concerning parenthood.
Surely Christian parents concede they have the responsibility to train their children. However, we must be reminded that this is a serious responsibility put upon us by our Father in heaven (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6). Raising children to love and serve the Lord is not accidental. How, then, do we train them to become dedicated Christians?
Puzzled parents exclaim that they took their children to all the services of the church, only to have them fall away as young adults. The periods of worship are commanded and vital to each of us in our maturing in the faith. However, three, two, or only one hour a week will not be enough to offset the many more hours doing a myriad of other things. Nor will it likely stem the tide of the influence of secular culture.
One father said to the Bible class teacher about his youngster not doing the Bible class work, “But he is a busy boy.” No wonder that boy grew up to be worldly!
With the hours whittled away each day, time will fly by without our spending the time necessary to truly train our children. Securing the hearts of our children, begins with securing our own. How secure are our souls in the Lord? Is he distant from our hearts and minds? If we rarely think about him, rarely pray, rarely study his word, how can our children learn to love and serve God?
Let’s humbly look to the Helping Lord for divine guidance from his handbook on childrearing. Beg Him in prayer for the hearts and souls of your children to be secured. Then let us rivet our attention on the most important task of nourishing our children in the Lord.
Recommended Reading
Jackson, Jason. Will Our Children Trust In The Lord?
Questions to Ponder
1. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
How frequently did Moses declare that the Jews were to teach their children about the commands of God?
2. Read Ephesians 6:4.
Define what the words “bring up” (NASB) or “nurture them” means.
3. Circle or underline these words in Philippians 1:3-4 (NKJV):
every, always, every, joy.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.”
The apostle Paul loved the Philippians. Though he was in hardship (prison), he prayed for these Christians with joy.
Think on this verse and these underlined words as you pray for your children.
Suggested Memory Verse
Proverbs 22:6
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