In a few months, Steph and I will have a couple new-born babies on our hands and will be trying to figure out how to raise these little ones. We know that it is a massive responsibility to raise children and to train them up in the Lord, and only by God’s grace will we follow through on that. In J.C. Ryle’s little book on “The Duties of Parents,” he helps us better understand the meaning of Proverbs 22:6. Here is an outline of the book:

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

1. First, then, if you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way they would.

2. Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.

3. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you.

4. Train with this thought continually before your eyes – that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered.

5. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible.

6. Train them to a habit of prayer.

7. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularity about public means of grace.

8. Train them to a habit of faith.

9. Train them to a habit of obedience.

10. Train them to a habit of always speaking the truth.

11. Train them to a habit of always redeeming the time.

12. Train them with a constant fear of over-indulgence.

13. Train them remembering continually how God trains his children.

14. Train them remembering continually the influence of your own example.

15. Train them remembering continually the power of sin.

16. Train them remembering continually the promises of Scripture.

17. Train them, lastly, with continual prayer for a blessing on all you do.