Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
To the parents, the birth of a child is the most precious gift from God. Great responsibility lies in the hands of the parents. The young impressionable mind must be instructed to make right choices. The verb train in Prov 22:6 can have many meanings. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, it has the following meanings:
i) to inform by instruction, discipline, or drill
ii) to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient
iii) to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill.
The synonyms related to train are teach, instruct, educate, discipline and school, denoting the varied aspects that encompass the training of a child. Hence the training of a child by the parents is multi-faceted. It comes from the Hebrew root word which means “to narrow”. Here in Proverbs 22:6 the objective of the training is to impart to the child discretion and wisdom that will lead to a right spiritual and moral choice. Surely, it is the prayer and the desire of every godly parent that when the child can discern spiritual truth he/she would embrace the narrow way that leads to life which the Lord Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:13-14 : “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”
The training begins at infancy
The laying of the firm foundation for the child to choose the right way that he/she should go is the solemn duty of every godly parent. The laying of that foundation begins at infancy when the parents talk and read to the child the things of God. Matthew 19:14 records, “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” By these words, the Lord Jesus emphasized the importance of introducing the things of God at a tender age. Child rearing experts stress the importance of the first three years. In his introduction to the book, Mothers of the Wise and Good, the author Jabez Burns wrote: “Common observation, as well as careful investigation, have long decided, that the maternal influence is all powerful in forming the habits and developing the faculties, at that important period of life, when the opening mind is like wax to receive an impression, and like marble to retain it.” Hence, the time spent during the infancy of the child especially by the mother will pay great dividends in the future and for eternity.
Laying the firm foundation
The malleable mind of the child is the good ground on which to sow the Word of God. Spare no effort to spend precious moments in reading Bible stories to the infant; as they learn to read and write, involve the child in the daily reading of God’s Word as part and parcel of the family activities. As the child becomes a teenager, let the Bible be the final authority on the issues of life and death, salvation and discipleship, relationships and friendships, money and possessions, habits and conduct, the source of comfort and strength in trials and tribulation. When parents set by example to put God as the Lord of the family and the Word of God the final authority in all aspects of God, the foundation for the eternal well being of the child is built on rock and not on sand.
The consequence of laying firm foundation
The examples and testimonies of many godly mothers attest to the promise of God in Proverbs 22:6b that “when he is old he shall not depart from it.”
Monica the mother of Augustine of Hippo, one of the famous theologians and church father in the 4th Century instilled the infant mind of Augustine the pure doctrines of Divine truth, recommending what she taught by her holy life. Augustine’s life as a young man was characterized by loose living and a search for answers to life’s basic questions. Monica persisted earnestly in prayer for the son. By divine guidance, Augustine was led to read Romans 13:13-14 . The words convicted him of his life of sin and he repented. Later, Augustine wrote his famous prayer: “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” He became a bishop in Hippo (near modern-day Annaba, Algeria) and helped shape Christian theological teachings, particularly the role of Divine grace and nature of the Holy Trinity.
Mrs Newton who dedicated John Newton from birth to the Lord laid a strong spiritual foundation at an early age. By age four, he was able to repeat answers to the questions in the Shorter Catechism. Mrs Newton stored the memory of young Newton with whole chapters and smaller portions of Scripture and commended him, with many prayers and tears to God. Mrs Newton died before the son turned seven. John Newton led a reckless life, full of debauchery and blasphemy. He joined the navy but later became a deserter and was severely punished. The ship he sailed in was in imminent danger. Whilst he was on duty at the helm, many portions of Scripture that his mother taught him flooded his memory and the passage in Luke 11:13 caused him to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Lord heard his prayer. Safely at shore, Mr Newton became an exemplary and devoted Christian and was ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln in 1764. His pious mother was gone but the “precious seed,” sown with weeping and supplication, in the mind of her son, which though choked for a time, brought forth at length a rich and valuable harvest. God by his marvelous grace chose and justified him and called him into His ministry.
The great challenge of our times to Christian parents
The key issue is what is the worth of a soul especially that of the child entrusted to us? Certainly it far exceeds the opportunity cost of a lost career especially for mothers. Whilst it is undeniable that the role of providing for the family is that of the father, mother has that vital role of devoting her time and energy to the training of the child in his character, spiritual upbringing, mental, social and development of motor skills that none could replace. But the demands of the rat race and to keep up with good living have often caused couples to make a less than God-honouring choice. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 ) is a promise that the Almighty God will keep to our amazement if we are prepared to trust in Him in laying the firm foundation in training our children.