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

SWEETNESS

I think we all know this verse. Even a lot of unbelievers have heard this verse. We claim this verse when we see Christian parents’ children starting to go astray. We know that the Word we have planted in their hearts will not…what? Come back void or empty.

But this word translated as “train” has an interesting meaning. It was a word used to describe teaching a newborn to initiate the sucking motion. They would rub chewed dates on the palate (roof) of the mouth. The baby would then put his tongue on the palate to get the sweet date flavor, thus imitating the position that the tongue needed to be in to nurse. Of course, this was necessary for survival. If a baby couldn’t nurse, they would die.

TEACHING MOMENT

How much more appropriate is it for us to teach our children spiritual survival skills. They may survive physically without God’s principles, but they will die spiritually. What parent wants to envision their child doing that? None. We all want our children to come to know Christ and grow in knowledge of Him.

So, what are you “rubbing on the palate” of your children? Are you rubbing sour lemons through your demeanor and attitude? Are you rubbing the sweet flavor of Christ that draws them to you and Him? Do you tell them to do what you say without living it yourself? Our children will want to “nurse” on the sweetness of God’s Word if we show them how good it tastes and how much it does for us. We must continue to feed ourselves as we are encouraging them to feed also.

I believe if we are faithful to live it AND preach it to our children, if and when they do stray, they will not be able to escape the drawing power of God. He will woo them home. They will recognize that voice. They will remember the sweet flavor of His Word on their palate. How sweet it is!