Interconnected: RelationshipsIsampula

Raising Children

We all wish that “training” was an easy process, but the truth is that it takes a lot of time and effort—and it’s not easy at all. Training is the act of teaching someone the skills required to do something.

If our goal is training our children to live God-centered lives, then we must acknowledge that the realization of that goal will be directly related to how much time and effort we put into achieving it. While many may feel overwhelmed by such a task, the joy of seeing the fruit of our labor sustains us during the process.

One day, while watching a science program on television with my son, the narrator began an explanation of the age of the earth. We had previously taught our son that according to the Bible, the earth is only about 4,000 years old. So when he heard the man say the earth was “millions of years old,” he shouted at the TV.

“Liar!” he exclaimed with confidence as he pointed at the man on TV. I was pleased and a little surprised at my son’s reaction. But I also had to chuckle at how black and white the issue was to him. He was demonstrating he had already determined “the way he should go.”

Accomplishing any huge task is best done a little at a time, and that is especially true of training children to follow Christ. It can’t be done in single day—or even once a week on Sundays. Training is a process, and it requires regular practice. In fact, the end of today’s verse indicates the journey of a Christian is lifelong: “And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

DIG: What does “training up” a child look like in practical terms?
DISCOVER: Are there some creative ways that you can teach your child the characteristics of living a God-centered life?
DISPLAY: Starting today, develop a daily conversation or Bible reading time with your child.