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.

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

Spiritual formation is central here: Instil reverence for God. Teach them to pray and depend on Him. Shape their conscience with truth. When these truths are impressed deeply on the heart, they become part of the child’s identity, not just external rules.

‘When he is old’ – enduring influence. The Hebrew word zaqen points to becoming aged or fully mature. The promise is not that a child will never make mistakes, but that the early training will remain with them.

Even if they wander for a time, the foundation laid in youth often draws them back. The values, truths, and patterns established early have a lasting hold because they were woven into their thinking and character.

This proverb teaches a principle, not a rigid guarantee. It highlights the power of consistent, godly training, that what is planted early tends to endure.

In practical terms: Start early – formation is strongest in the beginning. Be consistent – children learn through repetition and example. Teach both principles and practice – show them how to live. Model what you teach – example reinforces instruction. Cover everything in prayer and spiritual guidance.

A child carefully and consistently guided in the right way is given a lifelong advantage. The truths planted early become part of who they are, and even as they grow older, those foundations remain – guiding, correcting, and anchoring them through life.

To be continued…

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

This verse emphasises the powerful and lasting influence of early training. The phrase “train up” conveys dedication, guidance, and intentional shaping. It is not passive teaching, but active formation – like setting a foundation that will support the rest of a person’s life.

‘Train up’ – intentional formation; to “train up” a child means more than instruction; it includes guiding behaviour through consistent discipline. Modelling the values you want them to learn. Repeating and reinforcing the truth until it becomes part of them.

The idea of “hedging in” suggests creating boundaries that protect and direct the child. These boundaries are not meant to restrict unnecessarily, but to keep them on a safe and wise path until they are mature enough to walk independently.

‘In the way’ – at the mouth of his path. The phrase can be understood as “at the beginning of his path” – the critical early stage of life when direction is set.

At this “opening of the way,” the responsibility is to give clear, thorough instruction: Teach not only what is right, but how to live it out daily. Show them how to make decisions, handle challenges, and avoid danger. Help them understand consequences and develop discernment.

It involves “drilling” truth – not harshly, but consistently – until it becomes natural. What is repeated in childhood becomes instinct in adulthood.

To be continued…