Child Development Program

Sad to say, some Christians take great pleasure in doing the work of God. They establish themselves as judge, jury, and executioner. Finding a verse of Scripture that supports their need to condemn others, they often take it out of context, violate the meaning God instilled in its correct interpretation, and use their personal interpretation of it to embarrass and harass others.

Perhaps no other verse has been more misaligned than Solomon’s admonishment to parents: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Is this verse a guarantee or a guide?

Some scholars believe that to “train a child” begins with the parents dedicating the child to God. This may have come from a formal or informal ceremony in the life of the family when a child and the parenting of the child were absolutely consecrated to the Lord. The “training” of the child was to be God-centered and God-honoring and would develop the skills and talents that God gave the child to love, worship, honor, and serve the Lord. The child was to be trained not only intellectually but by the words and behavior of the parents. They were to be examples of who the child was to become, and what the child could do with their lives by encouraging the child to find God’s will and way for their life! Children are to be taught that “humility and fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” and, if followed, will lead to a life of honor and success that pleases God.

But what if parents follow this plan and the child turns from God? We come back to the fact that parents are responsible to do as God commands. Parents must be obedient and faithful to God and live consistent Christ-filled lives. If children see that “it” works for their parents, they will understand that it will work for them. If parents do their part, God will do His.

Prayer: Enable us who are parents, Lord, to be loving, understanding, worshipping, consistent, obedient, and humble examples of Your Son. Then, all will be well! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.