“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)
Or as I learned it:
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 (RSV)
I believe our Sunday school programs and Team Kid on Wednesday evenings are critically important. Both our children’s and youth programs play a vital role, as investing in the next generation is essential.
Two of my grandchildren attend St. Luke’s Catholic school, and I was pleasantly surprised yesterday to hear my grandson participating in the Lord’s Prayer. Although he didn’t know it perfectly, he managed to grasp all the key phrases. When I later asked him where he had learned the prayer, he mentioned that he was simply following along, but it felt like more than that. I’m truly grateful for whatever influence helped him learn it.
However, I disagree with parents who say they will allow their children to decide about faith when they are older. By that time, they have already been influenced by numerous external factors, making it unlikely that faith in Christ will compete for their attention. I raised both of my sons in the church, and while neither currently attends, they possess a foundational faith to draw upon. This background is significant, as my older son once expressed concern that his two friends didn’t know what to believe. I am thankful for all the teachers who guided them along the way.
Establishing a foundation in Christ at an early age is both biblical and vital for a child's well-being. We teach kids not to cross the street without looking both ways, not to touch a hot stove, not to play with electrical sockets, and how to tie their shoes. Why, then, would we wait until they are older to impart crucial spiritual truths that will benefit them for a lifetime?
