18 June | Teens
«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 devotional is especially for moms and dads, to remind them of the importance of teaching their children about God and the Bible. Proverbs 22:6 holds a powerful promise: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This promise shows us the lasting impact that spiritual education can have on a child's life.
When we teach children about God, we are planting seeds of faith, love and wisdom in their hearts. We are showing them a life path that is full of hope and purpose. As we walk back down the aisle with the children and study the Bible together, we are not only fulfilling a duty but also blessing their lives with a solid spiritual foundation.
Too often, dedicated parents sadly face the pain of seeing their children abandon the church and the beliefs they have been taught since childhood. This begs the question: Does Proverbs 22:6 guarantee that children brought up in the faith will never deviate from it? A deeper look at the Hebrew text of Proverbs 22:6 suggests that the instruction referred to talks about teaching virtues such as honesty, prudence and humility from infancy. The “way” from which the child will not deviate, according to the context of chapter 22, includes the value of a “good name,” prudence, humility that leads to respect for the divine and turning away from the way of the wicked. Therefore, the verse indicates that, if these virtues are taught from an early age, they can endure throughout life.
Take Action
Challenge for the kids! Choose your favorite Bible story and tell it using toys, dolls, or anything else you have at home. You can recreate the story of David and Goliath with action figures, or the story of Noah and his ark using toy animals. Be creative and have fun teaching and learning about the Bible!