Quick Note – Proverbs 22:6 – Godly Parenting

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Being that today is my dad’s birthday, I figured I should write about something quite relevant to him.  When thinking about a verse that fit, Proverbs 22:6 came to mind, a well-known verse when it comes to parenting, for it is because of the godly training that both my parents gave me that I am the person I am today.  The Christian example that they set and the constant reminder of the ways of the Lord through books, TV shows, and simple everyday lessons helped me to personally decide to make Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior and to grow as a disciple of His.  Although both of them worked together in training me in the ways of the Lord, each parent also taught me unique lessons.  From my mom, I learned compassion and hospitality and how to show the love of God through service.  But from my dad, I learned a lot about the inner workings of studying God’s Word, patience, and discipline.  It was actually his request that I finish reading the Bible at least once in my life many years back that helped build up my daily habit of spending time in God’s Word.  It was his willingness to allow me to preach and teach that I found my love for sharing God’s Word.  It was the way he studied God’s Word verse by verse and looked for applicable lessons that has influenced the way I write and teach the Bible.  I must say that he even played a role in this blog becoming what it is, for without his encouragement to read God’s Word and his example in studying it, I would have never found the passion to read, study, and write about the things I learn in the Bible.  My parents definitely trained me in the ways of the Lord, and I have not departed from it.

The Bible is very adamant about parents teaching their children the ways of the Lord.  God even made sure to command His people in Deuteronomy 11:9 to teach God’s commands to their children whether walking in the outside world, sitting at home, or lying down in bed.  God wanted His Word constantly shared with the next generation, for He knew how important a godly upbringing is in bringing a person to Him.  I must admit that if it were not for the influence of both my parents, I would have likely turned away from Christ and become a stalwart enemy of the Gospel; but because of their willingness to parent as God would have them do, I have made a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe.  This post is just an encouragement for parents to raise their children in the ways of the Lord and a reminder for children who have been raised that way to be grateful.  If you fall in that parenting role today then please know that God will use your example and your training in the ways of the Lord to draw your child to Him.  It may not be this instant.  It may not be in the next few years.  But in time, He will be faithful to draw them back to Him, if they were trained in His ways.  If you fall into the category of child who was trained, then be grateful and always give thanks to your Heavenly Father above and to your parents for training you in the ways of the Lord.  And always respect and honor them.  I am very thankful for the influence my mom and dad had in raising me to seek and follow Christ, and I pray that one day I can be as good a parent as they were.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me the parents you did.