Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Intro: I have always loved children, I have always loved how small they are, their youthful energy, their curiousity of life, their untainted efforts at hope, their innocence their simplistic view of life. Their potential and the idea that may have a chance and being someone great for God’s kingdom, every child has the chance at being a profitable servant for the Heavenly Father’s glory. Right now I can think of the fruits of labors of you out there that chose to raise your children in the spirit of this scripture. (Point out the children in the congregation who were raised as an example of this scripture) and many others who have stayed out of trouble, went to school and became productive members of society and most importantly valuable members for the God’s great and eternal kingdom. We can make a difference with not only our children but other children it the world. Neices and nephews, grandchildren, children on the street, children who we may notice don’t have proper parental guidance, there are types of of situations where we as christians can help train up children and may I add to the list babes in Christ we can do a good work.
The scripture says
Body: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
“Train up a child” in other words “Mold and shape a young person”
“in the way he should go”in other words “get him on the right path”
“and when he is old”in other words” when he grows up”
“he will not depart from it” in other words “they will not turn their back on it”
Mold and shape a young person, get him on the right path, when he grows up they will not turn their back on it.
Here we have a great chance to be contributors to society, give a child a great chance for greatness as well help build the kingdomn of God.
Well God has led me to break it down into three categories:
principles, proceedure and praise.
First and foremost we should let a child know that Jesus Christ loves them and only through believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he died for our sins can we get to Heaven. Then we should insert principles in a child not just any principles but biblical principles, we run into so much trouble when we don’t lean and depend on the word of God, the Word of God is our authority, it is our power it is always right and our standard for living. For centuries now the Word of God has stood strong on moved, it has been challenged by men of great wisdom psychologists, doctors, educators but every single time it has stood it’s ground, every trend that comes along and tries to deviate from the Bible has fallen to the age old wisdom of the mighty Word of God over and over again so the Bible has proven it’s self. So first thing we should do with our children, children of the church, children of the world, babes in Christ is teach them that the Word of God is the ultimate authority and when we live by it, we are pleasing God. Think about some principles that help train us up, that made a difference with us and will make a difference in the lives of the children around us.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Think about this what if a child found peace with God from the very beginning? What if they kept their minds on God all the time.
Psalms 34:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. What if our children were taught from the very beginning not worry about bullies, gangsters, drug dealers. Oh how different a world this would be.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. What if our children were taught from the very beginning not to place value in gold chains, silver chains, expensive sneakers over the value of a good reputation, honor and a good name.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. What if our children were taught to look to the Lord for their answers and not theirselves or their peers. What if we taught these children on the street to seek the Lord before making a decision. If they would acknowledge the Lord in their decision whether or not they should go further physically in their relationships what a turn around in the teen pregnancy rate we would have.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. A lot of our children would still be around if they would have honored their parents, honored their parents warnings.
Exodus20:13 Thou shalt not kill. What if each and every child were embedded, that God said they should not kill. What if everyone had the same feelings against murder as we have. What if everyone hated killing as we do. What a wonderful world we would have.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? What if every child had this type of assurance drilled in to them, lived with the security that they have a God who no one can overcome. That there
is peace and joy in the name of Jesus.
These are just a few examples of the scriptures that would help children as well as baby christians develop correctly. Think about these scriptures digging to the very core of a child, think about if these Biblical principles were part of a child’s foundation.
Proceedure:
Now along with these principles we need some routines. We need to teach our children how to pray. Who to pray to, what to say, when you pray , where to pray, how to pray,,, why we should pray.
or
Pray before they eat, pray in the morning, pray as a family, pray in good as well as hard times,
Tithing teach the young to tithe at an early age, teach them that tithing shouldn’t be looked at as an option, teach them that robbing God is unthinkable and it will already be embedded in them.
Teach them to show love to the everyone
Teach them to respect God parents, pastors, elders and anyone else in authority, let them know that all levels of power are ordained by God.
We also cannot forget to let our life shine that men may see our good works and glorify your father which is in heaven Matt 5:16.
Praising God:
Then most all teach these children and babes in Christ to Glorify God, give him all the praise, show them how honor God in heaven how to magnify his name teach them to look to Jesus and watch, this will let them see first hand the difference God can make
Conclusion: Principles , proceedures, and Praising God these three concepts working together can raise up a child in Christ these three things set a solid foundation for the child have a good start. You want to see a change in the world, train up child
you want to see God work train up a child. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. you see if you choose to live your life wise you recieve tremendous blessings, but leading others to righteous is a momumental blessing for youself . so raising up a child makes you a blessed person.
