Proverb for the Day

"Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it."
--Proverbs 22:6

This is probably a verse that almost every Christian knows, but do they really know what it means? I know I didn't at first. I think most of us just think if we raise our children properly, they will come to know the Lord and live a good life. What is important in this proverb is the word "train". What does that really mean? According to my study Bible, it means "to dedicate". I guess in a way it does, but it goes much deeper.

According to What the Bible says about Child Training, "Training requires that you teach them and that your teaching is accepted." It also tells us that while "train" means "to dedicate", to dedicate means "to renew, inaugurate or initiate." We are to start our children on the right path. We are to teach them God's Word so they live a life for Him. If we start them off with the knowledge of God, then they are more likely stay on the path. If we just tell them how to live, they won't necessarily put any credit to what we say.

We also need to remember that proverbs are words of wisdom and not a direct promise from God. Just because we do "train" our children, it is no guarantee that they will grow up to follow God. We still need to pray over them and for them. They will make their own decision when they are grown. They have a free will just as we do and God doesn't make anyone follow Him.