Sermon Teach your Child on the Way
"As the scripture teaches, `Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ' (Prov. 22:6.)
Parents, specifically fathers, have a God-given role in raising children- Good examples go a long way
- Example is no substitute for talking to our kids
- I Want My Kids To Know…
- You are made in the image of God
The Bible is the infallible Word of God Ecclesiastes 12:11-12
The topic of teaching is immensely complex and has many meanings to different people. Many think teaching is a heroic act. Parents are responsible for transmitting knowledge to children. They also guide and discipline to help them learn. Teaching is an art, and the way you teach depends on your personality, interests and attitude.
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"Train Up": Molding and Shaping
The phrase "train up" is not merely about casual instruction. It speaks of a deliberate, intentional process of molding and shaping. The Hebrew word "chanak" carries the connotation of dedicating, initiating, and disciplining. It's the same word used for dedicating a house or an altar. Think of a gardener carefully training a young sapling, guiding its growth, and shaping its form. This is the level of dedication we are called to in raising our children.
"Chanak" also literally means to put something into the mouth, like a nurse preparing an infant for nursing. This suggests a nurturing, foundational approach, providing our children with the spiritual nourishment they need to thrive. Training, in essence, is dedicating our children to God.
"A Child": From Infancy to Maturity
The word "child" in this verse encompasses a broad range of ages, from infancy to marriageable age. We see this in the Old Testament: an infant in 1 Samuel 4:21, a preteen lad in Genesis 21:12-20, a youth of 17 in Genesis 37:2, and someone of marriageable age in Genesis 34:19. This means that our responsibility as parents extends throughout our children's formative years, especially while they are still under our roof.
"In the Way He Should Go": God's Path and the Child's Nature
The phrase "in the way he should go" has two crucial aspects. Firstly, it refers to God's way, the path of righteousness and obedience. Secondly, it also acknowledges the unique nature of each child. The Hebrew word "derek" suggests that the manner of instruction should be tailored to the child's stage of development and individual characteristics. Keil, a renowned commentator, states that the "child's way" refers to their inherent nature.
This means we must guide our children in God's ways while also recognizing and nurturing their unique gifts and talents. We must understand their individual temperaments, learning styles, and passions.
"When He Is Old, He Will Not Depart From It": The Lifelong Impact
The promise of this proverb is a general statement, not an absolute guarantee. We know that there are exceptions. But the principle remains: consistent, godly training has a profound and lasting impact on a child's life.
How Do We Train Up a Child?
To fulfill this vital calling, we must be better parents, parents who:
1. Teach (Instruction):
◦ Saturate them with the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6:1-9).
◦ Fathers are primarily responsible (Ephesians 6:1-4), but mothers also play a crucial role (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15).
◦ Never assume they know; teach them explicitly.
2. Show (Example):
◦ Our lives are powerful examples. Live righteously (Proverbs 20:7).
◦ Children follow what they see (Ezekiel 16:44).
◦ Show them what you want them to be: Christians, faithful, active, moral, caring, generous, workers, and homemakers.
3. Correct (Punishment):
◦ Change their behavior (Proverbs 22:15).
◦ Be firm but balanced with love, encouragement, and praise.
◦ Discipline with their future in mind (Hebrews 12:11; Proverbs 23:13-14).
4. Control:
◦ Children lack wisdom; they need guidance and restrictions.
◦ Parents must be in control (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
◦ Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."
5. Give Them Responsibility:
◦ Teach them to work.
◦ Teach them contentment (Philippians 4:11).
◦ Lamentations 3:27, "It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth."
6. Time:
◦ Training takes time.
◦ Guard against hindrances like work, sports, and excessive screen time.
◦ Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16).
Atention! How to Provoke Your Children to Wrath Ephesians 6:4
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.- 1. Discipline them unjustly
- 2. Fathers out of control anger, and excessive punishment
- 3. Expecting them to do things they cannot
Take a lesson from Paul. The Good and the Bad. Always give hope
I Want My Kids To Know…
- You are made in the image of God.
- God Hates Sin
First and foremost, parents should show genuine interest in their childrens. They should be focus-minded and willing to understand their students' viewpoints childrens sense if their parent is genuinely interested in their well-being; this makes them more likely to apply learn. Furthermore, parents should show concern for their childrens learn the bible.
- Faith of your parents won’t determine your destiny Ezekiel 18:19-20
- Hell is real.
- Heaven is real, and so worth the effort
- Most people are on that path; don’t join them
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Talk to your kids! If not, they’ll learn from whoever will
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. II Corinthians 9:6
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. II Corinthians 9:6
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Conclusion
Training up a child is not a task to be taken lightly. It requires dedication, consistency, and a deep reliance on God's wisdom. Let us be faithful stewards of the precious gift of parenthood, building a legacy of faith that will endure for generations to come. May God grant us the strength and wisdom to raise our children in His ways, so that when they are old, they will not depart from them. Amen.
