Right Training

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

For many of us, that verse brings to mind our children’s gifts or abilities socially, athletically, or artistically speaking. Parents love to see their kids excel outwardly. We push them to learn more, run faster or sing louder. But too often, we forget about the most important aspect of our children’s growth—character. It starts as an inward thing. True character is what emerges out of a personal relationship with Christ. And that’s where we, as parents, need to focus our training. We should constantly be in the business of character training by introducing our children to Christ and living out our own relationship with him.

Now, I’m all for the ECAs—those extracurricular activities like football, dance, and voice lessons. But when it comes to the serious issues of life, the football field, the dance floor or the music hall is not going to get your children where they need to be. Only a personal relationship with the Lord and the character that you have built into them will equip them with the octane they need to be the kind of people God wants them to be. As you live out your life on the rugged plains of reality, your children are watching the character that you display. So lead by example. Train them to display generosity, integrity, honesty, compassion. Because in the grand scheme of God’s plan for your children’s lives, those things are much more important than their ability to throw a ball or recite a few lines on stage.

Train them in the right way, love them enough to share Christ with them and live for Christ yourself!

Peace ><>
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