“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
I could have titled this meditation, “I Once Was Blind, But Now I See,” but I opted to title it based in the eye-opening night that changed my mind.
Not that many years ago I taught a 400-level course, “Ethics” as it applied to leadership. Four hundred level courses are typically classes for students finishing up their major. Well, that was “not than many years ago.” This past Tuesday with the help of a Fourth Grade, not a four-year college student, not a senior nearing their higher education graduation ceremony, but a Fourth Grader; with her help I taught a participative lesson on “Ethics,” choosing to do right rather than choosing to do wrong. Simple enough, right? As I thought of how my helper grasped the concept of ethics and was able to distinguish between right and wrong, as well as the far-reaching impact of the choices one makes, particularly wrong choices, my mind took a detour from the tutoring and mentoring ministry to the teaching mention in the verse that should minister to all parents. I came to the conclusion that I had limited my explanation on some occasions to how this verse should be applied.
In the past I had taught about parents’ responsibility to bring up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord until they were grown. In the past I thought it was sufficient to expand my teaching of this verses to emphasize that as long as a son or daughter lived under the roof of their parents, the “children” had to be submissive to the authority of the parents, regardless of they were 18 or 48-years-old. Age really had no maximum. If you lived in your parents’ house, they had the right to set the rules and you straight when their offspring went astray.
Well, Tuesday night, the experience teaching “Ethics” to elementary children and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I took the part of bible study where you explain, “How this applies to me” a little further. It was the night that changed my mind.
Now, I am convinced that parents need to keep training up their children, based on the teachings and true principles in God’s word as long as needed. Some adults have not grown up yet, evident by the absorption of the ways of the world and the added influence of Satanic forces and the selfishness of the flesh. Therefore, last might changed my mind. So, I encourage you to keep on teaching your children the ways of the Lord, by your modeled behavior and mouthed, released words that are aligned with “Thus saith the Lord.”
If this sound like an admonition or an almost too tough of a charge, I apologize. Yet, I will stand on what I have encouraged you to do. I am convinced that parents and other influential adults can help have a positive impact on generations that are following them, and perhaps someone will be saved, not only from the penalty of sin, but the power of sin in their life on this earth.
Meditate on what you have just read and read the scripture below. It’s a good passage about delegation, but it was also the first example that came to my mind of an older man giving a grown man, even one of God’s chosen, some “training up.” Have a pleasant day but ponder on your role in changing the world. Be blessed!
“The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening? “Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace. “Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestion.” (Exodus 18:13-23 NLT)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King