“Train up a child in the way he should go / Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” The aim of Proverbs 22:6 isn’t to force worship upon our children. You wouldn’t expect a child to fall in love with mathematics after a couple of multiplication tables. By exposing your child to Sunday school and bible study at your local church, you’re laying a groundwork for them to reap all the benefits of your community of worship — and there’s more to that than being a bit closer to the Bible.

Building a Moral Compass

If they don’t have standards upon which to make decisions, how does anybody know what’s right? Our values are guided by our parents and communities, but as your children’s curiosity develops, they are sure to wonder upon what those values are based. For generations, parents have answered this question by pointing to the Word. This is fundamental to worship: each verse’s wisdom has stood the test of millennia and has the power to answer any questions about what is right. Herein lies the value of early-age Bible study: by making the Word relevant to children’s lives, pastors help children internalize valuable lessons for use throughout the rest of their lives.

Community

The Church should be a place of peace, contemplation, and forgiveness. It’s difficult to feel that way about it if you’re not comfortable with the community. Through regular Sunday school and youth groups, your child will nurture tighter connections with others in their area and begin forming their own community of worship. Able to spend time with their friends, they’ll come to see your local church as a place of positivity and growth — as it should be!

Relationship with God

It takes a long time to build a relationship with God — it’s crucial to get started early so your child will be comfortable asking the Lord for guidance and forgiveness later in life. Like any other good habit, nightly prayer and humility toward God is something you must train. If your children don’t grow up with the Church, when will they learn these good habits?

Setting your child forward on the right foot is a service you can’t value in dollars. Everyone needs a platform to stand on, a road to walk: that’s the essence of Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 22:6. With the Lord’s guidance, it’s never too early for your child to start living the right life.

Knox Presbyterian Church is a community of the faithful fostering love for worship in the Cincinnati, OH, area. With frequent bible studies and faith-driven discussion over coffee, this is your local church for whole-family devotion. Call Knox Presbytarian Church at (513) 321-2573 or visit their website for more information on how you can get involved.