Train Up A Child Series

Text: Proverbs 22:1-16

Theme: Train up a child

Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!

Illustration:

A child asked her mother during a dinner, mama is it good to eat flies?

Mother shouted at her, saying: I told you several times not to talk about ugly things when we eat. Child kept quiet.

After the dinner, on the bed, mother asked the child: Darling, you wanted ask something during dinner. What was that? The child replied, nothing mommy. Already problem is over.

But mother insisted to know it, so that the child would not be hurt. Then the child said, mama I asked whether good to eat flies because I saw a dead fly in your soup.

Now, I would like to bring a few thoughts from Proverbs 22. This chapter reveals how to train up our younger generation.

Proverbs 22:6 is the theme verse of this passage 22:1-16.

Train up:

KJV: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

CEV: Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right.

Darby: Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

ERV: Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path.

GNV: Teach a child in the trade of his way, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.

Train up the child from the beginning in the way of the Lord (Peshitta Bible).

Give her a good start to her life (Christian Standard Bible).

International Standard Bible: Train in an appropriate way to her.

Amplified: Train up to use their skills, abilities, and talents to fulfil the will of God.

Train them to use those possessed spiritual qualities very creatively for the benefit of others, and society, above all for personal gain.

I would like to leave with you to train up your children into three ways of life: The right way of Life, the Godly way of Life, and the last one is in the critical ways of life.

To begin with:

1. Train up in the Right Way of Life.

Familiarity of Good name and favour (v. 1), Respect all (v. 2), Friendships (v. 10-11,14 Friendship of enticers, entertainers). Faithfulness and Hard work (v.12-13).

Name is our identity and personality to others. Name carries all about us. Name brings to our mind about a persons habits, etiquette and response. The writer of this chapter feels that the Reputation and affection of others are desirable than riches.

A good name could be easily vanish if it’s not rooted in Christ and in his word. So, a good name is not what name we have and how we behave, and relate with people but how we maintain the intimacy with Christ.

A good name comes out of our behaviour in worst situations, how we are well composed in every given situation. Wisdom does not always engage in a fight. It is good to keep silent till evil and danger passes by.

It is greater than gold and silver. God is a respecter of no person. He treats everyone equally. We should do so. The beauty of the creation is Rich becomes poor and the poor becomes rich according to proper and improper use of the intelligence and skills. So train up the children to learn good habits.

Train up in her own way: Prof. Dr. Douglas Stuart, a Theologian, holds this view that the addition of the word “should” is not found in the original Hebrew. Without the “should” the nature of the verse changes. It’s more about allowing your children to go their own way, not the way you think that they “should” go. It means, their interest in, skills to develop, talents to use in. Don’t impose what you fail to achieve.

It’s about parents helping their children discover their purpose and path in life. Parents are in the unique role of helping children discover how God has equipped them and how they can use their gifts in a positive way as adults (ref:crosswalk.com).

So, Train up a child in his own trade of interest, train up in the skills what she possessed with, and even when he or she is old it will not depart from them.” Training is not disciplining but discipling. Training is shaping and modelling developing their inherent power and character.

Secondly,

2. Train up in the Godly way of life

Godly ways such as: Humility and fear of the Lord (v. 4), Stability in Guarding the conscience and Soul (v. 5), Surety and Integrity of Words (v. 12), Mobility in Smartness and use of wisdom (v. 13-15).