church of Christ at 26th and Connecticut
Joplin, Missouri

Phone
417-781-2326

1819 E 26th
Jopin, MO  64804

   Worship Schedule

Sunday
    Bible Class              9 am
    Morning Worship    10 am
    Evening Worship      6 pm

Wednesday
     Devotional & Class   7 pm

Upcoming Activities

PROVERBS 22:6

by Jake King

Every 2^nd Monday of the month, area preachers gather at Ryan's for a meeting and lunch.  This month, Wayne Deffenbaugh brought our message.  He admonished us not to neglect our children.  In his wisdom, this older man stated, "It is not the church's responsibility to raise up your children.  It is your responsibility."  Ephesians 6:4 lays the responsibility on parents to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  A famous verse along these lines from the Old Testament is Proverbs 22:6 which, in the New American Standard Bible, says

            Train up a child in the way he should go,

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

TRAIN UP A CHILD

Commentator Derek Kidner observed, "Train means elsewhere to 'dedicate' a house (Dt. 20:5), temple (1 Ki. 8:63), etc.  Possibly a trace of this meaning clings to it."  Now, I for one am not pushing the start here of any "baby dedication ceremonies."  But wouldn't it be great if each parent would make the decision to dedicate his children to God!  God told the Israelites to "dedicate" their firstborn to him (Exodus 13:2 NLT).  We ought to dedicate not only the firstborn but every child to God. 

After all, our children really belong to God anyway.  David said it and Paul quoted it, that "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1 ESV; 1 Cor. 10:26).  We are simply stewards of the children that God has given us, and "it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy" (1 Cor. 4:2 ESV). 

IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO

/ ACCORDING TO HIS WAY

"Train up a child in the way he should go," says the New American Standard Bible.  However, there is a note in the margin that indicates that the words "in the way he should go" are really a paraphrase of the literal expression: "according to his way."  Thus, commentator Derek Kidner also  writes:  "The training prescribed is lit., 'according to his (the child's) way', implying, it seems, respect for his individuality  and vocation, though not for his selfwill (see verse 5, or 14:12)."  In other words, each child is unique.  So each child will need his own unique training.   One child might need more encouragement than another.  One child might need more discipline than another.  And such factors must be considered in training.  By the way, this also means that we ought to be slow to tell other parents how to do their job (cf. James 1:19).  You know your children better than I do, and I know my children better than you do.  Each parent must know their child, and train him up "according to his way."

A child"s age must be considered as well.  Dr. James Dobson believes in spanking [and I believe all people should (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15)].  However, Dobson wisely recommends alternatives to spanking once your child becomes a teenager.  He suggests "lost priveledges, financial deprivation, and related forms of non-physical retribution." 

EVEN WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT

Someone has observed concerning this verse, that, "An individual proverb shouldn't be read as either an invariable rule or a binding promise from God.  Proverbs 10:4 generalizes truthfully, 'dilligent hands bring wealth,' but you would not have to look too far to find an exception to the rule.  Verse 6, a famous proverb, reinforces the importance of early training in forming a person's lifelong character.  But you can find individuals who, though well brought up, choose to reject their training.  Proverbs studies the way it normally works.  The general rule is this: Good parents raise good children" (NIV Student Bible).

Even you and I sometimes state general rules that have exceptions.   For example, we say, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."  But we realize when we say that that other factors might lead to a visit with the doctor.  However, let's not let the exceptions to Proverbs 22:6 keep us from obeying the rule.  After all, a "general rule" will generaly hold true.  The statement is sad but true, that, "Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn't have anything to do with it."