Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) ~ Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) ~ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
2 Timothy 3:15 (ESV) ~ … and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 22:6 is probably the best-known proverbs on the bringing up and raising a child, however, it is often misunderstood. It states a simple truth that PARENTS must remember to as they teach and discipline their children; it is the duty of parents to start their children off on the right path.
These past few days have seen many graduation events from kindergarten, sixth grade, twelve grade, college and many more. I am sure that there have been many commencement speeches and instructions given to each child that have been at these events. These have tried to encourage, to the best of the speaker’s ability, for those in attendance to reach for their goals in life and the path they will take starting the next moment and use all the education given to move forward in life.
Now, reading the three verses from the beginning of this sermon, it is very crucial to understand exactly what is being said. Parents only start a child on the right way and we need to make sure that way and path of life is the path of righteousness. Parents are to begin their training in the earliest years of a child’s life. Parents/Grandparents, we must understand that just because we begin their training on the right way or path, doesn’t mean that our children will remain there.
Many parents have been disappointed, angry, mad, upset at God and even questioned His Word because our children have strayed from what we taught. Many look at the proverbs and mistakenly understand this as a guarantee – an absolute promise from God – however, this is not the true meaning of this proverb. Parents, we are responsible to start our children on the right path, but proverbs clearly teach that every individual chooses for him or herself the path they will take.
