J.C Ryle, the 19th century Anglican Bishop, expounding on Proverbs 22:6, gives four directives for Christian parents to train up their child in the way of the Lord. Below are these four duties with an excerpt of what Ryle says about each of them.
1. Train your children in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would.
Train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would. Remember children are born with a decided bias towards evil, and therefore if you let them choose for themselves, they are certain to choose wrong. Train him in the way that is scriptural and right, and not in the way that he fancies. If you cannot make up your mind to this first principle of Christian training, it is useless for you to read any further. Self-will is almost the first thing that appears in a child's mind; and it must be your first step to resist it.
2. Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.
I do not mean that you are to spoil him, but I do mean that you should let him see that you love him. Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct. Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys -- these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily -- these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart. Children are weak and tender creatures, and, as such, they need patient and considerate treatment.
3. Train with this thought continually before your eyes - that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered.
Precious, no doubt, are these little ones in your eyes; but if you love them, think often of their souls. No interest should weigh with you so much as their eternal interests. No part of them should be so dear to you as that part which will never die. This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step you take about them, in every plan, and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that mighty question, 'How will this effect their souls?' The time is short -- the fashion of this world passeth away. He that has trained his children for heaven, rather than for earth -- for God, rather than for man -- he is the parent that will be called wise at last.
4. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible.
You cannot make your children love the Bible, I allow. None but the Holy Ghost can give us a heart to delight in the Word. But you can make your children acquainted with the Bible; and be sure they cannot be acquainted with that blessed book too soon, or too well. A thorough knowledge of the Bible is the foundation of all clear views of religion. He that is well-grounded in it will not generally be found a waverer, and carried about by every wind of new doctrine. Any system of training which does not make a knowledge of Scripture the first thing is unsafe and unsound. See that your children read the Bible reverently. See that they read it regularly. See that they read it all. Tell them of sin, its guilt, its consequences, its power, its vileness. Tell them of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His work for our salvation- the Atonement, the cross, the Blood, the sacrifice, the intercession. Tell them of the work of the Holy Spirit in man's heart, how He changes, and renews, and sanctifies, and purifies.
This excellent article can be read in its entirety here : The Duties of Christian Parents by J.C Ryle
