Is “train up your children the way they should go and when they are old they shall not depart from it” (proverbs 22:6) a promise or a principle? Is this family apologetics?
Discussion
51 comments
-
Proverbs is full of general principles, not promises, since it is wisdom literature.
-
Couldn’t it be a promise that if parents do this they’re children should not go astray?
-
It is a statement of Truth
-
What do parents need to do to train up their children? What is included in the “Way they should go”… For Christians is it different than maybe what this proverb meant? Do we simply teach them the Gospel or certain ways of living included in the New Testament only, or the Law too? Asking for a friend. 😉
-
Principle and apologetics
-
I think it’s a principle.
-
it is wisdom, not a promise not a principle. It means it is wise to train a child in the way he should go that he would learn how to live his life.
-
I tend to view it as a principle in the same manner that Ephesians 6:4 is a a principle, instructing the parent in how they are to raise their children to walk with God.
-
My husband and I tend to view this scripture as more of a principle….if you as a Christian teach your child according to the Bible then they at the very least know your beliefs. However, if a family does not follow after Christ and therefore, teaches their children in a secular manner then those children were never exposed to the word of God. Ultimately, children grow up to be adults and make their own decisions about what they will or will not choose to believe BUT at the very least our children will be trained up in the way of the Lord. Our hope is that they will not depart from it but it is certainly not a promise or guarantee.
Also, a family who is following after Christ and holding strong to those beliefs could possibly be subject to more “attacks” from the devil which could lead to more straying by their children with the hope of the return of the prodigal child one day.
-
I believe is a basic principle, and also a conditional promise if the child continues with the parents training of instructions when growing up.
-
Christ talks more on this in Matthew 18:6 …. It’s a wisdom, a principle but most importantly it’s our duty out of love for Christ and His Way of righteousness
-
I believe it to be more of a you reap what you sow kind of situation
-
I would say it goes beyond the spiritual, though everything you teach your child should be based on following God and seeking his direction.
I think “train up a child in the way he should go” also means really knowing and actually seeing your child…what that child loves, what drives them, what their skills, strengths and weaknesses are. Help them find that in themselves and support their growth in that direction. Make them strong in who they are as person, and embrace the fact that who they are may not be what you initially idealized them to be. Love them and support them and guide them in the direction they SHOULD go…not necessarily where YOU want them to go. And they will never depart from it, because they will be content, successful, and and lead a prosperous life. Perhaps not financially, but that is secondary.
-
Proverbial truths
-
I will say that my parents raised me in the church. I rejected it and went the way of satanic/new age deception. My mother never stopped praying for me. When I was about 39, God convicted me HARD. He pulled me out. I surrendered. So, in my case, this was the truth.
-
Basically, it isn’t promising that they will grow up to be faithful Christians. But, what it does promise is that when they dishonor the godly, moral principles as an adult those principles will not escape their conscience.
-
Folllowing
-
Jewish scholars have translated this, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, it will not depart from him,” meaning they may later choose to walk a different path, but they will always remember the teaching. I apologize for not having a reference handy.
-
Certainly a principle.
-
The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer. Based on the sacrament of marriage, the family is the “domestic church” where God’s children learn to pray “as the Church” and to persevere in prayer. For young children in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church’s living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.
-
I think as they grow (speaking from experience) they need to know why they believe what they believe and why it’s true. I think WLC is spot on here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haApfMVBzfQ
-
i would say a principle
-
Throughout the Scripture, a promised is made between the two parties through certain requirements toward the LORD.
But here in Prov. 22: 6 has no such agreement to whom it talks but addressed in general.
So, it’s just an instruction (principle) that every child should be led to the knowledge of the Saviour when growing up.
-
I feel like Proverbs are general truths that apply to the majority of situations. Like “if you do this, then this will most likely be the outcome” sort of a thing.
-
We should do this in the same way as we do view the proverb that says honor thy father and mother so that you will have long life in the land. There were plenty of obedient children that don’t live any longer than their contemporaries then and now, however those who respect authority and are not rebellious are more likely to live a long life cuz they are the same ones that make wise choices.
-
It’s more of a principle
-
From my experience it is a principle. Because even in non-Christian households the way a child is raise will, generally speaking as there are many exceptions to this, live according to those principles taught to him or her.
-
It’s a it’s a principle, but much more than that. It also has to do with “the promise is to you and your children.” We should have every expectation that God is going to effectively call the children of believers to faith.
Many children fall way though, because their parent’s idea of training up their children is just to go to church once in a while, they aren’t really part of that church, they don’t have family worship, and they don’t catechize their children… plus they just present Christianity as a choice they are free to make for themselves and that Jesus is their buddy.
That’s not training up your children, and they are likely going to fall away in college.
-
Proverbs is all about principles, not promises – the wisdom is in knowing when and where each is appropriate. Unless we apply wisdom when using the book, its sayings can get us into lots of trouble! 🙂
-
Simple, It is a commandment from God.
-
Of course. It is a basic requirement for the parents to train their children in the path of truth. For me, it is a principle for the parents and it will be a blessing for the children in future. Yah. Of course it is a family principle.
-
For example, because of the lack of parental care (love & disciplining), several orphans are misguided. Also end up their lives, in most dangerous path.
-
Both. It’s a principal which will produce a promise.
-
I would call it a principal with promise that can go either way. What we instill in children at at young age will be the foundation of who they are. Best to raise them in the fear, respect, and admonition of the Lord.
-
I don’t view it as a promise but more of a hope because there is an awful lot of evidence that the result is not true. There are many children who were raised rightly but rebelled and others who were raised the same and stayed on path.
-
These little switches right here take all the screaming and yelling and fussing out of it
-
General principle
-
If you
-
I would really recommend Insight for Living with Chuck Swindoll he has a whole segment and teaching on how to rear children in the ways they should go. Based entirely on this passage. To surmise it would be that each child should be raised based on their strengths and be encouraged in their ways. Do not force your own beliefs on who they should become and help them become themselves. Each child also has some sins that they take to easily like lying, we must also teach them good godly principles to help them overcome the sin.
-
That is biblical method of raising our children.
-
It is a principle not a promise.
-
A promise or a principle? BOTH It is more the later!
-
It’s both!
-
A principle, since a promise must have “I will” (God reference) somewhere either explicitly or implicitly in the verse.
-
It’s general wisdom. Not a promise. It’s generally the outcome but not always.
-
All of the proverbs, really, show wisdom in the form of trends. Generally speaking, if you do these things, and don’t do these things, you should see a trajectory towards peace and satisfaction. No promises or guarantees, just wise action.
-
Definitely not a guarantee, but a principle!
-
Purely Principle….
-
[…] Is “train up your children the way they should go… […]
Comments