Train up a child

'Train up a child'

— Proverbs 22:6

If you would train your children well, you must train them in the way they should go, not in the way they would go. Our sons and daughters are born with a decided bias towards evil. If we let them choose their way, they are sure to choose wrong (Prov. 22:15; 29:15). If we would be wise, we must not leave a child to the guidance of his own will.

Train your children with love, patience and tenderness. I do not mean that you should spoil your children. But I do mean that you should let them know that you love them. Love is the secret to proper training. Nothing will compensate for the absence of love and tenderness. Anger and harshness will frighten a child, but they will not persuade the child that you are right. If your children see you often out of temper, they will soon cease to respect you.

Train your children to be industrious and responsible in life. Life is not all fun and games. Children need to be taught responsibility, the earlier the better.

Train your children with loving, but firm discipline. Determine to make your child obey you. It may cost you much trouble and cost him many tears, but it will be best for the child (Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15-17; Heb. 12:5-11). Be firm and earnest in disciplining your children. Do not punish them rashly, or in anger. Do not use abusive words with them. Such things only create hostility. A loving, but firm use of the rod is essential to the proper training or children.

Again, train your children with a primary concern for their souls. If you love your children, think of their souls. In every step you take regarding them, in every plan you make for them, and in every decision you make which concerns them, ask yourself one question: ‘How will this affect my child’s soul?’

Once more, train your children with the firm persuasion that much depends on you, You cannot convert your children. But you are the one who moulds your children’s character. And you do it, for better or for worse, in their earliest years.