Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Pr. 22:6)
Proverbs 22:6 is a scripture we know and often quote. We hope and pray as we raise our children that they accept Jesus as their Savior and live for Him throughout their life.
As parents, we need to remember there is a difference between training and teaching.
Training is expecting children to live up to what you are teaching them. Training is more than just knowledge but includes character and expectation.
I am on the other end of raising my children and starting to see the generational blessing of grandchildren.
Our children were raised in Christian schools and churches, where Jesus was the primary focus. Today they still maintain their faith that Jesus is their Lord and Savior.
Our Christmas mornings began with reading the story of the birth of Christ and prayer, even before presents. It is a joy to see our daughter, Halie, and her husband Jonathan, maintain this same practice with their son last year, his first Christmas. To receive the picture of the three of them, Jonathan reading from the Bible and Halie singing Silent Night to Tucker brought tears to this Mimi’s eyes.
Halie has heard me teach numerous times that parents have the responsibility, from God, to educate their children. If they turn their responsibility over to someone else, the Bible must be incorporated. She is excited to homeschool and is already collecting educational tools. They may homeschool for one year or twelve, but Christian education is a priority.
I know many parents have done as we have, raised their children in a Christian school and church, yet their child has strayed from their Christian heritage.
But know Isaiah 55:11 tells us,
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
The Word of God your children memorize each week at Scofield Christian School is hidden in their heart, and the Lord will continue to use it in their life until His purpose for them is accomplished.
That is God’s promise to you. He holds them in the palm of His hand.
Encourage them in their walk with Jesus and lovingly expect them to operate in character and integrity. Never be discouraged, always praying.
I pray this Christmas will be filled with the joy of Jesus. I pray this New Year will fulfill the hope of it being very different from the last. No matter what the year brings, I pray for our school and families to be surrounded by His love.