Train up a child…

Childhood: A Foundation for Life

It is during childhood that a person learns those things that become the basis for all decision making in life. If much is learned, the adult has a great deal upon which to build a successful life. If there are “chinks” in this foundation, the adult is found lacking those things needed to make good decisions or to be healthy and able to carry out the proper decisions. The four corners of the foundation of life are: social, mental, physical, and spiritual.

In our society, I’m afraid the greatest emphasis is placed on the social development of children. There seems to be a great concern for whether a child has friends and whether that child is having fun and enjoying life. In school, for years there has been social promotion. There has been a greater emphasis on the child being placed with children of the same age than whether the child has gained the knowledge so much needed. Although it is good that children learn to intermingle in social settings, perhaps this area is not where there is greatest need. Let’s ask ourselves the question, “Where in society are we separated by age rather than school or Sunday School?” Actually, most of life we are not separated by age but rather have to get along with all ages.

Secondly, there is emphasis placed on the mental aspect of a child’s foundation. There is much talk and writing about whether our schools are properly preparing our children for adulthood. We are mostly concerned about reading. “If a child can read, he can do anything,” I’ve heard people say. There is less emphasis currently being placed on math and language. We spend thousands of dollars to educate children to prepare them mentally for the challenges they will inevitably face.

Third, we are concerned about the physical well-being of the child. Obesity is a problem and we are hearing a little more about proper nutrition. Vaccinations are given to prevent certain diseases. Physical education programs in schools are supposed to be designed to teach children proper care of their bodies.

It would seem that in most cases the spiritual foundation of a child is given the least attention. It is unfortunate that this is given so little attention. I suspect that there are many children in our country who have never been in a church or had the Bible read to them. Many probably do not even have a Bible in the home. Although this part of a child’s foundation is probably the most neglected, it is the most important. It is the spiritual foundation that gives the child the values needed to function. It is also the spiritual foundation that helps the child through difficult and disappointing times. Without this foundation, as an adult there is nothing to fall back on when hard times come. The spiritual foundation gives answers through scripture to puzzling decisions that have to be made. This part of the foundation gives hope, motivation, and purpose to life.

The Easter season is a perfect time to nurture the spiritual foundation of children. Parents who may feel inadequate to work with the young in this area can take them to a church where they can receive the knowledge they need. As children memorize scripture, they are strengthening their foundation for the future. Hopefully, we can use this Easter season to further develop our children in this important spiritual area.