Train Up a Child

“ Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it” Prov 22:6

Some friends and I were relating thoughts on people, the way we are all unique, and I mentioned the verse above. I believe this verse has been horribly misunderstood. The erroneous thinking or meaning from the verse is “ Mom, Dad you should saturate your kids lives with church, bible studies, and youth groups. If you want them to grow up right, keep them in fellowship, and worship services and they will never depart from the faith!!”
I admit this may not be a bad thing to do; we Dads & Moms could fair much worse. But, this is not the true meaning of the verse. “The way he should go” does not refer to a Christian path to be followed, but it speaks specifically to the child’s own way. Moreover, it is referencing the child’s innate leaning or his [or her] own natural bent.
It is interesting to read the Ryrie study bibles notes on Proverbs 22:6
“The way he should go” means according to the “child’s habits and interest. The instruction must take into account his own individuality and inclinations, his personality, the unique way God created him, and must be in keeping with his physical and mental development.”

To the Apostle Paul our individual uniqueness was part of God’s design. In 1 Cor 12 he explains that as members of the church we are the body of Christ, each with talents, and abilities that differ from one another in complementary ways.