Direct Children In The Way They Should Go

Parents must be intentional about guiding and instructing children on the right path.

No parent in their right mind would set their child down in the middle of an unfamiliar city and tell him to choose the path he feels is the best one to guide him home. First, parents know the dangers a child left alone in a city would face, and they would never intentionally subject the person they love and are charged with caring for to those dangers. Second, because of the wisdom gained from experience, parents know some paths would lead to imminent harm, even though they may look innocuous or a friendly-looking stranger suggests them. The whole idea seems absurd, yet that is essentially what we do as parents when we fail to be intentional about teaching our children what is objectively true, good, and beautiful in this world.

When I was a new mom and a relatively new Christian, I distinctly remember telling a fellow mother, who was older, wiser, and more mature in her faith, that I planned to teach my children about all of the different religions and let them choose for themselves. She (justifiably) scoffed at my statement and patiently explained that teaching children the truth before presenting them with options was essential. At the time, I thought that sounded very narrow-minded, and I wanted to be an “inclusive”, open-minded parent that my children would want to discuss everything with. The brilliant G.K. Chesterton once quipped , “Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out.” I didn’t discover this quote (or his wisdom) until many years later, but it is as if he spoke directly to me as a naive young mother.

In the New Living Translation of the Bible, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” God doesn’t say to give your children as many options as possible and let them decide which is best for them. He clearly instructs parents to teach their children which path is the “right path”. That doesn’t mean children won’t veer off course at times or take a wrong turn out of curiosity or temptation to wander when a friendly-looking stranger suggests it. But, they will know in their hearts and minds what the correct route “home” is, and they will know their parents will be there to guide them on how to get back on the right path if needed. 

Just as parents know the dangers lurking in an unfamiliar city, life experience and wisdom equip us with an understanding of the peril this world can hold. We must intentionally teach our children (and grandchildren) what is true, good, and beautiful early and often so they can discern and flee from what is false, evil, and vile as they navigate life. Failing to do so could impede your children’s journey through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood and hamper their progression as firm, confident believers in the One who set their feet on the path in the beginning. He is waiting to welcome them “home” one day for eternity and has given parents the privilege and responsibility of giving them accurate directions.