Proverbs 22:6. "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old,he will not depart from it."
To train means to teach a skill or type of behaviour to a person. To discipline a person. A child is defined as a young person especially between infancy and youth. When we put these two terms together,the work of training a child can be said to be the development of the child into a grown up who is useful to God,family and society.
One of the major problems we are facing now is increase in poorly trained younger generation is characterized by low moral values, doubtful Christian upbringing and poor sustainable skill and domestic skills.
However,the Bible admonishes parents and guardians to teach/train their children to fear God and give then proper upbringing to become responsible persons that will give then rest in future. When you do not train up a child as the Bible has taught, you will never have rest while going through your old age.
The reason for training a child is to enjoy your life when you become old so that they can take care of you and walk in the way of the Lord and not for the child to make you sad in all ways. It is how responsible a child is that will determine how your old age would be like.
I feel pity whenever I see some old people still carrying loads for somebody who is fit enough to be their children. That should tell you how they have taken care of their own children while they were growing up.
An adage says,"Train your child so that he/she will give you rest".
If you fail to teach your children in the way of the Lord,there is no way they would listen to you when they grow up. The best age to train a child is between when he is born to the age of Ten(10).
The scripture is so clear in Prov 22:6,it says there is a stage you can take care of a child and when he attains a certain age,he would stick to it and be responsible, then it will be difficult for the child to refrain from the steps you have showed him.
TRAINING GODLY CHILDREN
Children are seen as gift from God(Psalm 127:3),they are a reward for Him,yet,He expects parents to train them in a godly way.
God expects us to raise for Him godly children in marriage. One of the reasons why marriage institution is ordained by God between husband and wife is to train godly children for Him.
As parents,we will all give accounts to God on how we took care of the children He gave to us whether in a good or bad way. It will be accounted for.
Then how do you raise Godly children;
Parents must model Godliness(Eph 5:1-2)
Before parents can train their Children in a godly way,they also must be a worshipper of God. In Ephesians 5:1-2,the Bible said we should follow Christ steps. A person that wants to lead in a godly way must also be found in such way.Parents must teach their children God's Word.
Children are eager to know things especially stories in the Bible,as parents,we should encourage and develop them in the word of God because they are good at memorizing things quickly. Children should be helped in explaining the word of God.Parents must teach their children christian songs, worships and prayers.
This will really help parents when children are singing Christians songs,worship and praying. They should not be allowed to listen to songs that won't add value to them or affect them positively. Parents should buy CD's cassette containing Christian songs and also buy the one that also contains children singing and praying to God. This will trigger the spirit in them seeing their mate doing this and they would want to practice it and it will really help the parents too.Parents must discipline their children (Prov 23:13-14)
Obedience should be enforced on the children when they are still young and when parents are disciplining a child,it shouldn't be in anger (James 1:20)
Discipline should create intimacy instead of distance. Correction in love should not be avoided.
In conclusion:
God has laid down mandate to train children in Godly way.
