Encouragement to Mothers(and Fathers)

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

There is a limit

Not even the wisest, best, most caring, loving, teaching parents in the world can always succeed with upright children.

Many parents think – “Teach a child in the way he should go, and when he reaches adulthood he will always be faithful.”

This view is very far away from what this verse actually teaches.

Plan for today

Study Proverbs 22:6 Train Way he should go When he is old

Look at some examples of good parents whose children did not turn out so good

Examine other texts to consider

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child

TRAIN Lay the groundwork of character More than impart instruction Train - includes tell, explain, show,

demonstrate, do it all again and again Both parents are responsible for training

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go

Many think – Way of righteousness, teach truth about God, church, Bible, doctrine, salvation

Hebrew = “according to the tenor of his way” In harmony with his disposition, talents,

individual character. You can't train all children in the same way. Same punishment will not work for all kids. Know the child, what is best for them Audio, Visual, or Kinetic?

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is

old Many think – When he is an adult, When he is

grown to maturity (HS or college graduate) “An individual who has been trained properly in

the principles of truth and has lived in harmony with them until he reached old age will not then abandon that which has become second nature to him.” Pulpit Commentary

Some who failed

I do not condemn those dedicated and godly parents who did try to turn their children into the paths of righteousness, only to fail, through no fault of their own.

Eli – Children were wild, Eli is blamed – Eli did not try

Samuel – children were wild, Samuel is not blamed – Samuel tried

Some who failed

Solomon – David instructed him in what was right, he forsook the counsel of his father

1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

Some who failed

Solomon – David instructed him in what was right, he forsook the counsel of his father

1 Kings 11:4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.

Other Passages to ConsiderEzekiel 18:5-13

5 But if a man is just And does what is lawful and right; 6 If he has not eaten on the mountains, Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, Nor defiled his neighbor's wife, Nor approached a woman during her impurity; 7 If he has not oppressed anyone, But has restored to the debtor his pledge; Has robbed no one by violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing; 8 If he has not exacted usury Nor taken any increase, But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity And executed true judgment between man and man; 9 If he has walked in My statutes And kept My judgments faithfully-- He is just; He shall surely live!" Says the Lord God.

Other Passages to ConsiderEzekiel 18:5-13

10 "If he begets a son who is a robber Or a shedder of blood, Who does any of these things 11 And does none of those duties, But has eaten on the mountains Or defiled his neighbor's wife; 12 If he has oppressed the poor and needy, Robbed by violence, Not restored the pledge, Lifted his eyes to the idols, Or committed abomination; 13 If he has exacted usury Or taken increase-- Shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, He shall surely die; His blood shall be upon him.

Other Passages to ConsiderEzekiel 18:20

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Other Passages to ConsiderDeuteronomy 21:18-21

18 "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. 20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.' 21 Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear.

Who Owns Your Child?

We often blame parents for a wild child There are many other influences – TV,

Music, Peers, Movies, Schools, World, Cults, Day Care, Coaches, Denominations, Materialistic world, Mindset of society, Neighbors

The list is long – many have impact on our children

Proverbs 22:6

Train up (instruct, show, demonstrate, explain) a child in the way he should go, (according to his personality, disposition, talents, individual character) And when he is old (and has lived by these principles all his adult life) he will not depart from it (abandon them).

Conclusion:

Parents – You have a great responsibility to teach, train, guide, show your children the right way to live, obey God and be faithful.

Children – You have the responsibility to listen, heed, obey and follow the teaching of your parents – all of you life.

All of us – Have the responsibility to live as God directs. When we fail – it is our fault. God will hold us personally accountable.