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

Whether or not we are the generation that lives to see Jesus Christ’s return, we should make sure that we have taken the time to “pass on” the faith. This includes preparing others to know Him and to be always ready to meet Him.

The primary place for this “training” is in our homes with our own children. An understanding of today’s verse is central to taking the responsibility the Lord has entrusted to us. I like the Webster’s definition: “the act or process of drawing, alluring, educating, and forming by practice.” Many dads and moms don’t realize they are preparing their kids for their Christian responsibilities, just by parenting!

We form or mould our children, often carelessly, through a process of imitation; repeatedly drawing them toward the things we say and do. You’ve no doubt heard the old saying, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That describes the automatic training that goes on in families everywhere by simple association. Whatever we are or seem to be in the eyes of those who admire us gets passed on to one degree or another.

If you have children the training process happens every day, either purposefully or unknowingly. If you’re not a parent this scripture is still important for you in the role of an aunt, uncle, cousin or friend. Also through friendships or work related situations, we are all surrounded by so many young impressionable people in society! There may never have been a time like the present where such a general shortage of good, willing biological or spiritual “fathers” and “mothers” exists, to help both children and those with child-like problems.

Those of us who have been trained up in the Lord might as well make our maturity count for those around us who are spiritually less mature, in either age or experience. Settle this fact that somewhere within your sphere of influence, there are children who are looking to your example…they need your help to go the right way in their lives and to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes.