Who is Training your Child? Pastor Michael Petit. Calvary Chapel Weekly Devotional.

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Lately I have seen more Christian Youth and Young Adults fall away from faith or even choose a more progressive view of Christianity when they know it goes against God's word. I always tell parents, single moms and grandparents raising kids if you will not teach them, the devil surely will. How do we train up a child? First we need to live out our relationship with Jesus in front of them. To many kids have grown up with a bad witness of Christ in the home. Parents that party and drink all weekend but come into to church playing the holy Christian for that hour on Sunday is such hypocrisy. Kids can tell when a parent or adult is faking the funk when it comes to being Christ like. As a parent do they see you reading the word and applying it daily? Do you pray with them? Do you talk to them about God and living His word in this crazy world today? Aim to prepare a thirst, to start a hunger, and create an appetite for spiritual things in the lives of your children. Parents you have a great guide the word of God. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Second, Parents we need to teach them while their under your roof. Teach them the word... If you will not teach them about God, then devil will teach them about the world draw them to sin. Trust me just look at two of the headlines this week. In the NY Times "Sexual Education Taught to First Graders." when you read deeper into this story you see them show a cartoon to the kids and talking about masturbation but teaching them it is okay. Actually it is a sin of sexual immorality in the Bible. The school is ready and will teach your first grader if you not engaged or in your own sin you will miss this as parent. Second headline popular Nickelodeon Kids Cartoon Blues Clues had very special episode for your pre-k age kids on LGBQT "Pride Month" with a Drag Queen and a Pride parade in the cartoon. The devil is trying earlier and earlier to indoctrinate your children that living a lifestyle of sexual immorality is okay and again it is clearly taught in 1 Timothy 1:10 that it is a sin. 

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 ESV
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 

Lastly, God gives us instructions on the importance of teaching them as children. That is why we actually teach scripture every Sunday to our children in children's ministry. God's word doesn't return void. If you lack zeal for Lord yourself how will you teach your children? When is the last time you just talk with them, listen to them. A listening ear is often what children need most. Spend time in the mornings and evenings to remind them of God’s love and presence, and offer them godly counsel. Engage them if not the devil will. 

My prayer for you is take your walk and relationship with the Lord seriously. Your children or grandchildren need to see it lived out in the home. Be engaged, active and become a great listener for your children. Point them to Christ by living it out. Pray for them and with them daily. The things these kids face is nothing like our generation. The devil's time is running out and he is throwing everything at these kids. They need to be trained up so they can see the lie and not fall for the temptations of the enemy, but walk with Jesus. 

God Bless 
​Pastor Michael Petit