Train them up Part 1
Train Them Up – Part 1: Two Ways to Train a Child
Proverbs 22:6 tells us,
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
What a beautiful and powerful promise! But it naturally raises a crucial question: What is “the way” that we are to train our children in? Is it simply about routines and responsibilities, or is there something deeper?
The truth is, we are always training our children—intentionally or not. Every decision, every example, every word shapes their path. And according to Scripture, there are ultimately only two ways we can lead them: God’s way or the world’s way. The narrow path or the wide path. The way of righteousness or the way of destruction.
The Bible consistently presents this contrast:
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.”
— Proverbs 4:14-15
“Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
— Psalm 34:14
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.”
— Proverbs 16:17
These verses make it clear: there is a right way and a wrong way—a way that honors God and leads to life, and a way that rebels against Him and leads to destruction.
As Christian parents, it’s not enough to hope our children turn out well—we are called to intentionally train them in God’s ways. That means more than teaching good manners or strong academics. It means teaching them to love what is good, to reject what is evil, and to walk in obedience to God’s Word.
What does this look like in real life? It means guiding our children to:
Love and revere God above all else
Understand right from wrong through Scripture
Make choices that reflect God’s truth, not cultural trends
Develop a heart for righteousness, justice, and mercy
Learn how to live set apart in a world that often walks the wide path
We cannot walk both paths. And our children won’t find the narrow way by accident. It takes intentional, daily, faith-filled training. It takes us, as parents, choosing the narrow path ourselves—and inviting our children to follow us as we follow Christ.
In the next post in this series, we’ll talk about one of the foundational tools God has given us for this journey: teaching our children to pray. Prayer isn’t just a spiritual habit—it’s a lifeline that connects them (and us) to the heart of God.
Let’s raise up a generation that doesn’t just know about God, but walks closely with Him—choosing the narrow path, and staying on it all their lives.
