Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
While teachers, friends, and others can influence a child’s life, the primary responsibility for training a child – especially in spiritual matters – rests with the parent. No outside influence should replace the consistent, intentional guidance given at home. Others may assist, but they should never become the foundation.
Children must be taught not only about God but also how to engage with His Word. True faith is not built on second-hand understanding. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. This means they need to learn to read, understand, and apply Scripture for themselves, not merely depend on what others say about it.
In a world where many voices claim to speak truth, discernment becomes essential. Not all teaching is sound. Some may twist or change God’s Word for personal gain, influence, or convenience. If a child is only taught to listen to others, they can easily be misled. But if they are taught to know the Word personally, they will be equipped to recognise what is true and what is not.
This kind of training requires effort and consistency: Read Scripture with your children regularly. Teach them how to understand and test what they hear. Encourage them to compare everything with the Bible itself. Help them develop a habit of going to God’s Word first.
The goal is not to isolate them from others, but to anchor them in truth so that no matter who they listen to, they are not easily swayed.
When children learn to rely on God’s Word rather than solely on human teaching, their faith becomes rooted, personal, and resilient. They grow into individuals who do not follow blindly, but who stand firmly – grounded in truth, guided by Scripture, and able to discern rightly in a world full of competing voices.
Living the Word 