One of our favorite verses on “child rearing,” for us Christians, is found in Proverbs 22:6. We’ve all quoted it from time to time, when reassuring parents about a wayward son or daughter.

BUT … what does the verse really say?

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

These words clearly constitute a Bible Promise, but how so?

First of all the initial verb, “train up,” is unique. In Hebrew it is “chanak,” meaning (four times in the King James Version) “to dedicate!” And only once (yes just a single time) meaning “to train up!”

Dedicate yourself to training that child! Enter into that endeavor with all your heart and soul! (In the verb’s first two occurrences in Scripture, Deuteronomy 20:5, a house is being “dedicated” to the Lord!)

In Proverbs 22:6 the noun “child” also (specifically) refers to a lad, or a little girl. We must get at this child-rearing business early in their lives! NOT after they have learned too much about rebellion or disobedience!

But next comes what may be the most significant part of the verse. “In the WAY he should go.”

The noun for “way” is “derek” in Hebrew. It’s “root” meaning is “to bend!” In our King James Bibles the root word is translated either “to bend” or “bent” a total of 15 times!

Wow!

We are here being taught that every little child has certain God-ordained, God given “bends” in his or her life. God has “slanted” him or her in a given direction! Divinely bestowed gifts, interests, abilities!

Here’s what I mean. Some children are musically inclined, from birth! Others mathematically inclined. Arithmetic is easy for them. Still others great at words, speaking or expressing themselves.

Point being … learn you child! Observe him. Carefully listen to her. Is she a singer? Is he a ball-player? Does he read well? Or is she an outdoor person? Thousands of possibilities are insinuated here!

If YOU as a parent will cooperate with God’s “bending” in the lives of the children He has given you … encouraging them to pursue their “natural” (meaning “God-given”) abilities … likely “when he is old,” or “when she becomes a parent” … they will stay true to their upbringing!

By the way, include Jesus at every turn of their lives. “Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Paul’s well-known command from Ephesians 6:4.

As I said earlier, “just a though.”

But a Bible thought as well.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

As a lad (just thirteen years old) my Mom and Dad had already “spotted” a tendency in their oldest son. (That would be me!) I had been born with a love for books, hence a love of reading. And a love of reading that was gently guided (by wise parents) toward the Word of God! That Christmas (when I was 13) they presented me with a set of Bible Commentaries! By old Dr. Harry A. Ironside! And they built me a bookshelf where I could store (display) them.

That did it!

The first one I read was Philippians! And that (along with the talent or aptitude or whatever you call it) God had given me … I was “off!” Off to a lifetime of studying the Bible, largely via the writings of great men of the past.

They, my Mom and Dad … “Trained me up in the way I should go.” And now that I am old … by the Grace of God … I am still “at it,” studying the precious Word of God!

What a Book, the Scripture!

Indeed, the HOLY BIBLE.

Proverbs 22:6, it works, just like God promised!

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