Scripture Says Train Up A Child & He will Not Depart, But Will He? | Hard Questions

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The video addresses the common parental struggle regarding Proverbs 22:6, which promises that a child trained in the way they should go will not depart from it when old. While many parents feel guilt over children who were raised in the church yet eventually walk away, the discussion clarifies that this verse is not an ironclad contract or a guarantee of perfection. Instead, the core meaning of "train up" is reinterpreted not as forcing memorization of scripture through programs like Royal Rangers, but as instilling an insatiable desire for God in a child's heart from infancy, much like teaching them to nurse. The goal is to align the child's upbringing with their unique temperament, gifts, and sensitivities so that they naturally walk in that direction as they mature. However, the speakers acknowledge that human effort alone cannot ensure a child never leaves the faith, noting that statistics show only about 72% of children who grow up in the church remain active members. Despite these numbers, the data still supports the responsibility parents have to model faith and lead their families to church, as this significantly increases the likelihood of spiritual continuity compared to those who never attended. The conversation emphasizes that while we cannot control every outcome or define exactly when a child might return, the story is not yet written, and parents should avoid wearing unnecessary guilt for children who stray, recognizing that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in follow-up and restoration. Ultimately, the video concludes with an encouraging message about the power of prayer and parental persistence. Even if a child seems to be walking away, there is hope that they will eventually return, and parents are urged to keep praying and standing with them rather than trying to squeeze control into every situation. The discussion highlights that while we have a mandate to raise children in God's way, the ultimate change often comes through one word from God or the intercession of a praying mother, reminding believers that their responsibility is to aim correctly and trust in divine timing rather than demanding absolute results.

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Okay, in Proverbs it says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he won't depart from it." What about all the kids who are raised in church and walk away? This is a really a lot of a lot of parents Pete really struggle with this. You know, you had a lot of long time in the ministry here. You've seen this. >> Oh, kids that could quote scripture I as I did again years ago and and again recently uh go a little bit deeper here. What does that word train up mean? Uh the studies I have found talks about that the moment a a baby is born they touch the the inner part of the baby so the baby begins to have a a sucking uh sensation and that's the word the word the idea of the word train up. So, in other words it's not a matter of me getting my children to memorize scripture. It's not the idea it's it's in other words if I can instill in my child an insatiable desire for God. The same way that you have to teach a child to begin to nurse. So so that child is insatiably desiring and I think of the because again it's not the Royal Rangers, it's not the Missionettes, it's not the programs that save our kids. I mean, they're good but that's not what's going to save them. But and I think what the scripture is saying if we create in our children an insatiable desire for God and the things of God I think in that case that case that child is going to continue to desire God when they get older. >> And the the whole story >> the whole story isn't written yet either, is it? When your child is a teenager, Pastor Glaze. >> See, here's another one you guys probably don't want to hear what I got to say. >> Yes, we do. Yes, [laughter] we do. We wouldn't we wouldn't let you on the show. We want Please go ahead. >> Well, you know, I think Proverbs 22:6 is talking about the bend of the child. You know that your child has certain temperaments, callings, gifts that you train that child up according to the bend, the gifts. And when they're old, they'll walk in that way. Personally, I don't think that this verse right here, even though and I agree with everything Pete said about the putting it in there the insatiable part, I agree with that 100%. I just question this verse. Is it talk Is it a promise that's saying, "If you raise up your child, you know, in the way of God, they're not going to depart from it." You know, like you said, the story's not told, but I don't think that this is a promise that they're not going to walk away, you know. So, you know, I think that the the proper interpretation of Proverbs 22:6 is that if you train up the child according to his bend, you know, the the the way that you see it, you know, if your child has certain sensitivities, certain gifts, you you train them up in that way and, you know, when they're old, they'll walk in that way. >> Oh, we don't want to hear that at all. >> [laughter] >> Dr. Glaze, I have several strong-willed children and I tell them, "If I can aim you in the right direction, you are going to change the world, right?" And I agree, but you know, I have a I had a friend, Denny Patton, who's gone to be with the Lord and Denny said to me, "There's nothing There's no greater follow-up than the Holy Spirit. And when we introduce our children to the things of God at a young age, you know, I look at the scripture and, you know, I agree with you theologically on that and the heart of a um of a mother, you know, who's has a son who's walking away from the Lord or a daughter, I just want to remind you that a praying mother changes everything. Um you know, one word from God can change your child's life and just remember that one day they'll come back. They They'll They'll come back eventually. I You can't define when that's going to be and I know you want to control it and squeeze really hard, but you just keep on praying and and and standing with them. >> That's really good, Zach. I appreciate that. Yeah. >> Great discussion. And the data does show specifically fathers, but parents when they take their kids to church, grow in the faith, they stick with the faith. LifeWay and Promise Keepers a few years ago, 72% of children who were grew up in the church stuck with the church. 6% of children who never attended church when they were young ever end up going to church. Not 100% batting average, but when we live out our mandate as parents to raise up our children Lord this way statistics show not 100%, but they will follow in that pattern. So, we can't ignore that that responsibility we have. >> a lot of people a lot of people try to take this as some kind of ironclad contract. It's not a contract. >> And they feel guilty and they >> [laughter] >> should not. And they they wear guilt that they should not wear. >> No. No, you know, uh really they're still going to be responsible to follow after Christ, but I love everything that's been said here. Thank you so much.