FAMILY: CHILDREN

Solomon said, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Prov 22:6). A child can be trained to respond to directions in loving obedience. Parents mold the character in obedience by instruction and example.
Hannah is a good example of a mother. She prayed for a son and when God granted her petition, she trained him to serve God as long as he lived (I Sam 1-3). This shows purposeful training. Scolding or shouting now and then is not training.
Eli was so intent with his job that he neglected his sons. They “hearkened not to the voice of their father.” They were not restrained and became contemptible. By failing to train his sons to obey, he lost not only his sons, but also his honor (I Samuel 2 & 3). The rod of discipline drives folly from the heart of a child (Prov 22:15). “He who spares his rod hates his son; but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” (Prov 13:13-15). “A child left to himself disgraces his mother” (Prov 29:15), but a child properly disciplined will later praise his parents (Prov 31:28).

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