Train Up A Child

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" Prov 22:6 KJV. This is our golden rule. We take it serious, the responsibility to train our children. We are to train them from day one, while they are young, ready and eager to learn. Our baby is almost six months old, everyday when he rises he beams with excitement as he engages on the floor, crawling, exploring with such curiosity. He is already learning about temptation and authority as we instruct him not to chew on cords or put things in his mouth. To train them is to give them wisdom and understanding; keep them from sin and the consequences thereof.

This training is initiated with purpose, diligently with a goal in mind, "...when he is old, he will not depart from it." Instruction and discipline are key in this training. I liken it unto the "basic" training one would receive as a solider; train them for the future, the purpose in which they are to fulfill. Our children range in age from twenty years old to six months old and we find that the training of children is the same as the children get older. We must keep the same goal in mind even as they go through the rhetoric stage of life, trying that which we have imparted unto them.

We are still blessed to have the opportunity to impart wisdom unto our twenty year old. We find that though he is older, he too is still learning and growing. In this season the training initiated is that of guidance, reproof and encouragement. I find it important to open the door for conversation and to take the time to listen while praying unto the Lord. When training our older children that which we impart is done firmly, yet gently with that same hope of impressing the goodness of the Lord upon them as we had when they were younger.

We recognize even with this golden rule our children may depart from the way in which they were trained. But that will not discourage us from staying the course, from seeking the Lord daily on their behalf and training each of our children with commitment and purpose. Whatever their choice in life, Walter and I will rest in God knowing that we have planted seeds of life and we will trust Him to give the increase.

What differences do you find in training your children as they get older?