Many parents feel guilty for failing to train their children. We must understand what this passage teaches.

1. Encouragement to Mothers
(and Fathers)
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the
way he should go, And when he is old
he will not depart from it.

2. There is a limit

Not even the wisest, best, most caring, loving,
teaching parents in the world can always
succeed with upright children.

Many parents think – “Teach a child in the
way he should go, and when he reaches
adulthood he will always be faithful.”

This view is very far away from what this
verse actually teaches.

3. Plan for today

Study Proverbs 22:6

Train

Way he should go

When he is old

Look at some examples of good parents whose
children did not turn out so good

Examine other texts to consider

4. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child

TRAIN

Lay the groundwork of character

More than impart instruction

Train - includes tell, explain, show,
demonstrate, do it all again and again

Both parents are responsible for training

5. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the
way he should go

Many think – Way of righteousness, teach truth
about God, church, Bible, doctrine, salvation

Hebrew = “according to the tenor of his way”

In harmony with his disposition, talents,
individual character.

You can't train all children in the same way.

Same punishment will not work for all kids.

Know the child, what is best for them

Audio, Visual, or Kinetic?

6. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the
way he should go, and when he is
old

Many think – When he is an adult, When he is
grown to maturity (HS or college graduate)

“An individual who has been trained properly in
the principles of truth and has lived in harmony
with them until he reached old age will not then
abandon that which has become second nature
to him.” Pulpit Commentary

7. Some who failed

I do not condemn those dedicated and
godly parents who did try to turn their
children into the paths of righteousness,
only to fail, through no fault of their own.

Eli – Children were wild, Eli is blamed – Eli did
not try

Samuel – children were wild, Samuel is not
blamed – Samuel tried

8. Some who failed

Solomon – David instructed him in what
was right, he forsook the counsel of his
father

1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son
Solomon, know the God of your father,
and serve Him with a loyal heart and with
a willing mind; for the Lord searches all
hearts and understands all the intent of
the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be
found by you; but if you forsake Him, He
will cast you off forever.

9. Some who failed

Solomon – David instructed him in what
was right, he forsook the counsel of his
father

1 Kings 11:4 For it was so, when
Solomon was old, that his wives turned his
heart after other gods; and his heart was
not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the
heart of his father David.

10. Other Passages to Consider
Ezekiel 18:5-13

5 But if a man is just And does what is lawful and
right; 6 If he has not eaten on the mountains, Nor
lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
Nor defiled his neighbor's wife, Nor approached a
woman during her impurity; 7 If he has not
oppressed anyone, But has restored to the debtor his
pledge; Has robbed no one by violence, But has
given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked
with clothing; 8 If he has not exacted usury Nor taken
any increase, But has withdrawn his hand from
iniquity And executed true judgment between man
and man; 9 If he has walked in My statutes And kept
My judgments faithfully-- He is just; He shall surely

11. Other Passages to Consider
Ezekiel 18:5-13

10 "If he begets a son who is a robber Or a shedder
of blood, Who does any of these things 11 And does
none of those duties, But has eaten on the
mountains Or defiled his neighbor's wife; 12 If he has
oppressed the poor and needy, Robbed by violence,
Not restored the pledge, Lifted his eyes to the idols,
Or committed abomination; 13 If he has exacted
usury Or taken increase-- Shall he then live? He shall
not live! If he has done any of these abominations,
He shall surely die; His blood shall be upon him.

12. Other Passages to Consider
Ezekiel 18:20

The soul who sins shall die. The son
shall not bear the guilt of the father,
nor the father bear the guilt of the son.
The righteousness of the righteous
shall be upon himself, and the
wickedness of the wicked shall be
upon himself.

13. Other Passages to Consider
Deuteronomy 21:18-21

18 "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who
will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his
mother, and who, when they have chastened him,
will not heed them, 19 then his father and his mother
shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders
of his city, to the gate of his city. 20 And they shall
say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is
stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice;
he is a glutton and a drunkard.' 21 Then all the men
of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so
you shall put away the evil from among you, and all
Israel shall hear and fear.

14. Who Owns Your Child?

We often blame parents for a wild child

There are many other influences – TV,
Music, Peers, Movies, Schools, World,
Cults, Day Care, Coaches,
Denominations, Materialistic world,
Mindset of society, Neighbors

The list is long – many have impact on our
children

15. Proverbs 22:6

Train up (instruct, show, demonstrate,
explain) a child in the way he should
go, (according to his personality,
disposition, talents, individual
character) And when he is old (and
has lived by these principles all his
adult life) he will not depart from it
(abandon them).

16. Conclusion:

Parents – You have a great responsibility to
teach, train, guide, show your children the right
way to live, obey God and be faithful.

Children – You have the responsibility to listen,
heed, obey and follow the teaching of your
parents – all of you life.

All of us – Have the responsibility to live as
God directs. When we fail – it is our fault. God
will hold us personally accountable.