Parenting Proverbs – Train Up a Child

Parenting Proverbs – Train Up a Child

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

We love quoting this verse, but what if we pause to really think about it, the meaning is deeper than just a parenting slogan.

Training up a child is not a quick-fix promise that guarantees our children will never make mistakes. Instead, it is a principle: the seeds planted in their hearts early will bear fruit later.

So, what does it actually mean to “train up a child in the way he should go”? And how do we apply this in today’s world where children are growing up with smartphones in their hands before they can tie their shoelaces?

Training Is More Than Rules

To train means to guide with wisdom, consistency, and love. A trainer doesn’t just bark orders, they model, encourage, and equip. In the same way, parents are called to walk alongside their children, helping them discover their God-given gifts and strengths.

Notice that the verse says “in the way he should go.” That phrase suggests individuality. Every child has a unique path, temperament, and purpose. One child may be a natural leader, another a quiet thinker, another a creative dreamer. Training up is not about forcing them into our mold but guiding them in theirs while anchoring them in God’s truth.

What Parents Need in Order to Do This Well

Parenting like this takes more than love. It requires emotional and spiritual maturity. We cannot pour out what we have not cultivated in ourselves. To train a child well, parents need:

• Spiritual depth. A child can sense when faith is real. If we want to raise God-centered children, we must live out that relationship ourselves.
• Emotional maturity. Our children learn how to handle conflict, disappointment, and joy by watching us.
• Consistency. Training is not occasional. It is in the small daily routines, the repeated conversations, and the steady boundaries that children are shaped.
• Boundaries. Discipline is not punishment. Boundaries are like guardrails, keeping kids safe as they grow.

Raising and Training Children in the Digital Age

If parents don’t intentionally train their children, the internet will. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat disciple children daily, teaching them what is funny, what is desirable, and shaping what is acceptable.

If parents don’t intentionally train their children, the internet will. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat disciple children daily, teaching them what is funny, what is desirable, and shaping what is acceptable. Share on X

That is why “training up” today must include digital discipleship. Parents cannot ignore the influence of screens, algorithms, and online voices. Instead, we must step into that space with wisdom.

• Social media as a teacher. Platforms often shape values before parents do. That is why guiding children to filter truth from noise is so important.
• Comparison culture. Children are bombarded with highlight reels of other people’s lives, which can fuel insecurity. Parents must remind their children that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
• Healthy digital boundaries. Just as we would not let a child play in the street, we must set limits for the online world. For example: “At bedtime, all devices go into the family charging station.”

Takeaways for Parents

1. Pray over your parenting. Ask God for wisdom specific to your child’s personality and path.
2. Learn your child’s strengths, dreams, and struggles. Celebrate how God made them unique.
3. Model the values you want to see. If you want honesty, show it. If you want healthy tech habits, live them yourself.
4. Have the conversations. Don’t just set rules about the internet. Talk about why those rules matter.
5. Start early. The habits and truths sown in childhood will grow into fruit in adulthood.

Reflection

Think about this: What unique qualities has God placed in your child? How can you nurture those qualities in ways that align with His purpose for their life?

Take some time this week to identify your parenting style and your child’s love language. When you align the two, training up becomes more natural and effective.

For example, if your child thrives on words of affirmation, your encouragement becomes a key part of their training. If your style leans more toward rules, balance it with affirmation and empathy. When love languages and parenting styles meet, children not only hear your guidance but also feel it.

You can take the quiz here to find out your parenting style and child’s love language.