Train Up A Child While They Are Young — Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” — Proverbs 22:6 — NIV
The Spirit gave me a message yesterday that I wanted to rush and post, but for some reason, He also urged me (softly) to wait on Him for the proper time to post the message. Those who follow my feed may have heard that I am not the most patient person amongst us. I get an itch and want to move right away (very quickly), therefore, the message might not be as good as it could be because of my haste. The Lord has ways of slowing us down if we are willing and humble ourselves… otherwise, He allows us to do as we wish, but it could always be better if we learn to wait on the Lord.
The message I was given was for the children… as noted in the title of this message. Christ said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
The Old King James Version says it this way: “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Most English-speaking people I know who use English as their predominant language no longer speak the old English tongue. Therefore, it might be more understandable for them to pick a version of the bible that matches better with the way you speak and communicate. There are dozens or even hundreds of translations of the Bible in nearly all known languages. Finding one that matches you shouldn’t be that difficult if you really want to learn from the Bible.
The concern about our children not being taught from the Word of God, which is the Spirit of the Living God… is concerning. In my last message, I spoke about how, at our core, we are a spirit-being living in a human or carnal body that has to be fed on food and other nutrients, such as liquids, to survive. Just as you feed your human body to live and grow healthy, you need to likewise feed the soul and spirit, or it will suffer too. A spirit that is not fed spiritually suffers malnutrition just as the body does. The fact that you are unaware of this is not relevant because a spirit-being that is not nourished by the Spirit that is God… cannot be healthy.
We’re all created in the heavenly abode by the Spirit of God, who sends us here to the earth to be trained in the ways of righteousness and godliness. One might think, “Why send us to this ungodly place to use as a training ground?” I say, what better place could there be because you genuinely must choose to be good… and you must choose to live righteously, or, it just doesn’t happen.
God gives us freewill… the right to choose. If you do not choose God, you do not get God. He awaits the desire to come from us… and then, only then… HE draws us near to Him, where we shall be taught by God as written in the Scriptures.
In John 6:44-45, Jesus says: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.”
The benefit of studying and learning from the Spirit of God is knowing what God wants. You learn about how to fulfill the purpose He assigned you through gaining wisdom and knowledge that leads to understanding. That is what God teaches. Therefore, if you have no desire to be taught by God, then you will be left on the outside, away from God.
Christ also told us, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
I share these things with you because the Spirit shares them with me. That is the plan and purpose He assigned me, which is to follow Him. The more I’m obedient to Christ, the less I need to concern myself with the choices of others. Who receives the word that I share is not up to me. We just spoke about the parable of the Sower in my last talk. Not everyone will receive the word, just as not everyone will choose to take the narrow path that leads to the kingdom of God.
The message I was given was more for the children, especially those who are not being trained in the ways of the Lord, to make them grow healthy spiritually. Ultimately, they will be taught by the Spirit Himself, as Christ told us. Since so many children are growing up with all these technological tools… why not put a tool in their hands that shares biblical stories or games that teach fundamental morals as Christ taught?
Children of the age who can read and comprehend what they read can upload an app on their gadgets or smartphones that has the Bible in many versions in the app. I use Bible Gateway, which has hundreds of translations of the full bible in the app. It can also be read to you audibly if you are not good at reading and understanding things.
If a child wants to learn about God, let that be just one of the things you introduce them to, and allow them the privilege to feed as the urge comes to them to know God. It would be better if the parent introduced their child to such a tool because it encourages them to come on their own time when the seed of curiosity comes upon them as they’re being drawn by the Spirit of God Himself. Let them make their choice to respond to their Creator, having the tools they require at their disposal.
I suggested they find a friend of a similar age or familiarity so they have a partner to grow with. “Where two or more are gathered in my name, lo, I am there between them,” Christ says. He loves the little ones so dearly. If you can afford to buy them a smartphone for emergency contact and the like, why not allow them to download the bible app and tell them it is there for them when or if they decide to use it. That way, you give them permission and encouragement to get to know God on their terms.
To the children, I suggest that you start with the book of Matthew, chapters 6 and 7. Read those two chapters in their entirety because Jesus teaches so many fundamentals about how we are to operate as citizens of God. The ones who chose to follow Christ will be led by Him along with His host of heavenly angels. Not all people will choose to be so led, but of the few that come to Him… all of heaven will rejoice when the children of God return to the Father.
There are things called the Good News Clubs that meet after school in facilities all across the nation. The program introduces the children to the word of God in a way that’s designed for children. No parent is forced to make their children attend such a program. It is well organized with a structure that gets the job done of planting the seed of God in a child that will eventually grow in them and produce good, godly fruit in time.
I’m not personally promoting anything here, just sharing with you things I know that are successful. If you wish to take advantage of this sort of information, it is there for you. If you desire to train up your child while they are young in the ways of godliness, perhaps something I said here might lean you towards that goal. If your child can learn about God from their smartphones and tablets, then you should be the one who encourages that, rather than the smash-up, violent games they are currently feeding their immortal souls. Just sayin'’…
I certainly hope this helps a few of you. To almighty God be the glory. Selah!
