Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,

Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

We often have “baby or child dedications” in our churches. That is simply, but profoundly to declare that our children belong to God and we ask Him to use them any way He desires.

However, when we have this kind of service in our church, we emphasize the importance of the parents also dedicating themselves to “train up” the child.

Now, this involves both teaching verbally AND leading by action.

(Proverbs 4:11)

I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.

To direct is to teach with words. To lead is to demonstrate what one is teaching.

BOTH are absolutely necessary in training up a child or being a mentor to anyone else.

You see, even though the verse before us speaks of a child, this certainly would be true of any other person that one would be discipling. I understand that it is a different kind of relationship when it is with a child rather than another brother or sister in Christ, however, the truth is that the words that we teach will only be consistently heard and respected as we live out the truth that we are teaching. 

Now, the last part of the verse tells us that

“when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Many people have taken this as a promise that if the child is taught right and shown the right way that eventually they will live the right way, and that is surrendered to and committed to Christ. Now, we do pray that it happens, but that is not what this statement is teaching. There simply is no guarantee that because we raise a child right and teach a child right and demonstrate the right way to live, there is no guarantee that the child nor anyone else that are mentoring will eventually follow Christ in that way. Now, the encouraging thing that it IS teaching is that when we invest in our children or others with the truth of the Word of God and live it out before them that those teachings and practices will stay with them no matter where they are in life. They will never be able to get away from them. Now, that is good news!

In other words, we are never wasting time and energy when we are teaching the Scriptures and living the surrendered life to Christ in front of others, especially our children. That will always be in their mind and life to continue the possibility of them being drawn to Christ.