Articles
Train Up A Child
“TRAIN UP A CHILD”
In Proverbs 22:6, Solomon writes, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Training involves work. It takes time and effort to teach a child anything. While most parents spend a great deal of time, effort, and enthusiasm teaching their children to learn colors, learn the alphabet, know their arithmetic facts, and to enjoy reading early in life, they often neglect the importance of spiritual matters in the child’s early stages of development. Many parents believe that it is too hard for young children to memorize verses, to know the books of the Bible, to know the sons of Jacob, the twelve apostles, or the names of the judges. Some question why small children should learn not just children’s songs, but also songs from the hymnal. Many believe that they can bring their children to Bible classes when they get a little older or perhaps better behaved. Are we selling our children short when we have this attitude? Children have an amazing ability to learn and remember things even at an early age.
The problem is not the child’s ability or capacity to learn about the Bible. The problem is that we as adults underestimate their abilities and capacities. The problem may be that we as adults do not want to spend the time to do this. We cannot accomplish teaching our children about God with just “10 minutes of quality time” a day. God never expected that small amount of time to be spent teaching our children.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 we read, “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. And you shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes, and you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and upon your gates.”
You know what works even better? Teaching your children by your example. Godly parents coming to Bible study and worship services. Godly mothers and fathers helping their children with the Bible lessons and memory verses. Godly parents that give of their time and their effort to set their children on the right path.
Our teachers here at Plainfield spend a great deal of time preparing to teach your children about the Bible. Many spend hours working on ways to help your children receive a better understanding of God. Are you helping them by bringing your children to classes on Sunday and Wednesday? Do you talk to your children about what they learned after each class and ask them about the coloring sheets, worksheets, and/or activities they bring from bible class? Do you display these at home where your children can comment on them through the week? Are you helping them by working with them at home? Are you setting the right example for them? Do not underestimate the ability of your small child to learn about God. Written by Larry Schneider
