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 blog is dedicated to your children.
To your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters.
To their sons and their daughters.
To children everywhere.
This is the time to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
That is God’s endearing promise to our children.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was trained up to know and love Jesus as a child and is still following Him today!
Having a relationship with God at a young age definitely, reaps benefits in the future.
Take New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for example.
He just won Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby.
At 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds, he is an imposing superstar.
And he’s just a rookie!
Want to know what’s more imposing?
It’s his faith in Jesus, which he credits to his adoptive parents.
He said he believes God matched them up.
All you need to know about his character can be found on his Twitter account.
He lists baseball fourth … after Christian, faith, and family.
Aaron Judge is an example of raising a child in the way he should go.
CCSB Is Training Up Kids At VBS
I saw this “training” manifested during our Vacation Bible School here at Calvary Chapel South Bay.
What a turnout of kids!
What a turnout of parents!
What a turnout of helpers!
It’s a fun time, but it also provides a valuable lesson about Jesus and His impact on our lives, young and old.
And it all starts with the Truth, the Word of God.
2 Tim. 3:16 reminds us:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
The Word is a great jumping off point to “Learn It, Love It, Live It,” as one VBS song points out:
The Word of God, it’ll turn you around, a treasure that’s waiting to be found…
It’s not just the kids who are learning valuable lessons during Vacation Bible School.
I’m learning one, too.
And it’s this.
What we teach our children, and other people’s children, right here, right now, will be carried with them throughout their lives.
Proverbs 16:3 tells us:
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
Will they learn how to be bad?
Or will they learn how to be good?
Will they learn respect for parents, teachers, authority, and others?
When they face a tough choice, will they ask, “What would Jesus do?”
Do You Show the Love of Jesus When Interacting With Children?
You, me, we can all play a part in shaping their young lives by showing them the love of Jesus.
The Scripture, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it,” is not some empty, feel-good philosophical statement.
It is Truth.
It is the Word of God.
And Jesus is the Word. (See John 1:1)
I talked to several adults this week to hear how Proverbs 22:6 impacted their lives.
They went back to their childhoods to pick out a memory that has nurtured their faith over the years.
They have memories because people like you and me cared enough, and took time enough, to tell them about God’s love and His wonderful plan for their lives.
Here are a couple of wonderful examples I heard.
A middle-aged woman told me that when she was a child, her mother would read to her and her siblings from a devotional titled, “Little Visits with God.”
“I always remembered that book,” she said, “and couldn’t wait to buy it when I had my own kids.”
One gentleman told me about his first-grade teacher at his Christian school who taught the class Scripture by singing them in the form of jingles.
“The Holy Book of God was her songbook,” he said. “I was 6 back then and now I’m 57, and I still remember her singing us Luke 2:52: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Are You Reflecting Jesus Or This Fallen World?
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17
Does what you say and what you do mirror a love for Jesus?
One of the most, if not the most, important thing you can do in bringing up a child is to show them the love of Jesus.
- In how you act
- In what you say
- In what you do.
And it comes from having a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior.
You are a living example of our living God.
Kids watch your every move.
They hang on to your every word.
They emulate you.
“Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Helping to build a strong foundation comes from the parents and their strong relationship with God.
It got me to thinking …
Wouldn’t it be awesome that when you go to heaven and see Jesus…
That he takes you aside and says, “See all those people over there? You brought them to Me when they were children.…Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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