Bringing Them Up
Proverbs 22:6 (Amplified Bible)
“6Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
As Christian parents it is our job to trainour children in the way they should go. What exactly does this mean?
1) We have to present the Gospel message to them, making sure they know why they need a Savior, and who that Savior is.
2)We are to teach them about God- reminding them of things in the Bible as examples of who He is, how much He loves them, and how to truly live for Him.
3) We are to be living examples of people who love God and are called by His name, letting them see Him evidenced in our daily lives.
4) We need to live what we preach- everyday.
That all sounds like enough to get them on the right track, doesn’t it?
There is more to it than that.
As parents it is our job to see the things in our kids that set them apart from others-the special giftings and talents that God can use in their lives.
When we see things such as a musical ability, or artistic expression, or even cleaning without being asked- these are all things we want to help them cultivate and grow in.
When we have a toddler who does back-flips from the sofa, maybe there is a gymnast waiting to be discovered.
When our 3 year old takes his toys apart to see what they are madeof, maybe thereis engineering ability.
When our 7 year old collect recyclables (trash), and makes beautiful art work from them- maybe there is a sculptor in the future.
When a 12 year old, who has never been musically interested before, suddenly wants to learn an instrument- maybe there is a call to be a worship leader on them.
“And in keeping with his individual gift or bent”- this is key to making sure they are used by God in the way He wants to use them. Look for the special things. Look for the gifts that may not seem so great right now, but when they grow into it- wow!
talent in kids, gifts, parenting, training children, spitirual gifts
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Well said about giving our children the truth from the scriptures leading them to Christ as well as observing how God made them to be used for His glory. I would like to offer my “Four Essentials of relationships” archived at http://focusedfamily.blogspot.com as supportive statements to your thoughts. It sounds as though your family and ours are quite similar- seven children, homeschooling, in ministry.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:02 am
[...] Bryan - Bringing Them Up [...]
October 21st, 2007 at 2:20 pm
[...] My Bible tells me (and I believe yours says this too….look in Proverbs 22:6), that if we train children up in the way they should go, they will not depart from it when they are older. This does not mean they will never question us, [...]
October 24th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
[...] a special gift in one particular child that you could help with, such as the ones listed in “Bringing Them Up.” If you are involved with something that doesn’t fall into the mainstream, let us know about [...]