Train Up A Child

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverb 22:6

“Train” in the Hebrew is chanak (khaw-nak’) and appears 5 times. Once here it is translated as train or train up. The other 4 times it is translated as dedicate.

This is the Hebrew word used to tell of Solomon dedicating the Temple unto the Lord.

It is to place in a position of service. Solomon was given the responsibility of building the Temple, and then he dedicated it or made it available for service. In essence he did everything he could in his own abilities and strengths and then turned it over to the Lord.

That is what God has called mothers to do. He has entrusted you with the responsibility of parenthood, and his wishes for you is that you do everything that you can out of your own abilities and strengths with you children and then turn them over to the Lord.

ALL MOMS AND PARENTS HEAR THIS: GOD TRUSTS YOU WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

The “it” that the child will not turn from is the training that you have provided in his/her life.

If you have provided godly training or worldly training, it is going to stick with the child and continue to shape and mold him/her.

This is a great responsibility to influence another life.

1. TEACH

a. “Teach” means to show or explain to someone how to do something. It means to cause someone to learn to understand something. It also means to induce someone by example or punishment to do or not to do something.

b. There are many things that you as a mother know that can be valuable if imparted to your children.

c. There are things that I learned were good for me and things I learned that were not good for me because my mom and my dad took the time to teach me.

d. Sure, there is always that time that kids believe their parents don’t know anything, but there comes a time when you also realize that your parents really did know what they were talking about.

e. Always let the teaching you provide be by example and not just in word. “Do what I say and not what I do” is not a healthy approach to teaching.

2. RAISE

a. “Raise” in this sense means to bring up. It speaks of taking the responsibility that you have been given.

b. David seemed like the logical choice to build the Temple, but it was Solomon. You are the one God has chosen to parent the children you have been given.

c. Solomon took the responsibility given to him and didn’t try to pass it off to someone else.

d. The television is not the parent.

e. Their friends are not their parents.

f. When our society got away from raising our own children, we began to see a horrible decline in morality and an increase in rebellion.

g. This takes time and investment. Your children are people, not things. With crops that you raise, you may only need to check on them occasionally. Children need your time and attention and raising moment by moment.

3. ADMONISH

a. “Admonish” means to warn or reprimand someone firmly. It speaks of discipline.

b. There are clearly times when discipline is needed. It doesn’t make you a bad parent, it means you care about the well being of your child.

c. There is the need for moderation and control. I am in no way advocating abuse.

d. Sometimes, a simple word or even “the look” will be sufficient. Other times, the rod is required.

i. “If physical discipline is used, it is important that it be accompanied by an explanation so that the child clearly understands why the rod was used and what conduct is required” (FLSB).

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverb 13:24

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. Proverb 22:15

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. Proverb 23:13-14

The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Proverb 29:15

4. INVOLVE

a. “Involve” means to include someone as a necessary part.

b. Children should feel as though they are a part of the family. They should be included.

c. The danger can be that children can become the center. This can get very unhealthy.

d. I remember how good it felt when mom and dad asked for my opinion and I knew they genuinely wanted it.