Slideshow image

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

Parenting is one of the greatest responsibilities God entrusts to His people. Proverbs reminds us that raising children requires intentional training. It is not enough to hope they turn out well; parents must actively teach, guide, and model the way of wisdom.

The phrase “train up” suggests dedication and discipline. Just as a vine must be guided along a trellis to grow strong, so children must be directed toward God’s path. Left to themselves, they will follow folly, for foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. Parental instruction, correction, and example are vital.

Training is not merely verbal; it is lived. Children learn more from what they see than from what they hear. Parents who walk in wisdom provide a living model of integrity, love, and faith. Hypocrisy undermines instruction, but consistency strengthens it.

The promise of this verse is one of hope. While children may wander, the training they receive will not be forgotten. Seeds planted early bear fruit later in life, often long after parents can see the results. God honors faithful parenting, even when outcomes seem delayed.

Raising children in wisdom requires patience, perseverance, and prayer. Parents cannot force hearts to change, but they can faithfully sow truth and trust God with the harvest. The way of wisdom, once instilled, leaves an eternal mark.