Children - being as children

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6. Contrast this scripture with Matthew 18:3 which states, “…., Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Everyday our children are made to digest the poison exposed to them by adults. This was made clear to me when I witnessed it at an event I attended. The music, the drugs and the attire of the adults was by no means modest. The atmosphere was debilitating, infused with filth and all the adults around seemed to be oblivious to the damage it was causing. The innocence of the children was being taken advantage of.

Chanak is the Hebrew word for “Train Up” used in Proverbs 22:6. It means, to guide, to discipline or to set apart someone or something for God’s purpose. It surrounds the act of shaping the life of young people, placing them on a definite path. Think about it this way; the foundation of every house or building is essential for the state, strength and the finished product. Chanak is a covenantal promise that deliberately launches our children into godly initiatives.

With this command to care for the most vulnerable, we are mindful of what they consume, hear, the people they are around, schools they attend and places they go. To contrast, in Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “…. Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

As children of God, we are expected to be like little children before God. That which will affect the growth of a child, also affect the growth of us Christians.

God Bless.