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

In his book titled To Be or Not to Be Reformed, R. B. Kuiper says, “In my considered judgment the Christian Reformed Church is at present in far greater peril of undervaluing doctrine than of overvaluing it. It is in danger-too, of overlooking the fact that one’s religious beliefs determine one’s conduct . . . The fact remains that one’s behavior is determined by one’s convictions . . . The conclusion is warranted that, if we belittle doctrine, we shall not only be undermining the theology of the Christian Reformed Church but shall also be destroying the piety of its members” (p. 131).

This is no small thing. If the Christian Reformed Church is to remain strong, stable, and well-balanced, it must not neglect training in doctrine. It must not neglect sound Christian training. The prime reason it must not is reflected in Scripture: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov· 22:6). In this Proverb, we see the ground for Christian training, the description of it, and the solemn responsibility for it. Let’s take a look.

From infancy to adulthood – Our Proverb compares and contrasts the young and the old. The child spoken of could be an infant, a young child who is weaned, a young boy or damsel, or a youth of marriageable age. The Hebrew word found here is used of the infant Moses (Ex. 2:6), of Joseph at the age of seventeen (Gen. 21;12), of all the sons of Jesse (I Sam. 16:11) of Solomon when first King (1 Kings 3:7), and of Absalom when he was a warrior (II Sam. 18:5 and 12).

The word covers a span of years and our Proverb refers to those in early life from infancy to adulthood. The New Testament bears this out as we see the Apostle Paul tell Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth” (I Tim. 4:12). Paul had met Timothy on the Second Missionary Journey about 50 A.D. It was not until about 67 A.D. that Paul wrote to Timothy and sees him as a youth. If Timothy had been but seventeen when Paul met him, he was almost 35 when called a youth· And a youth still in need of sound Christian training as I Timothy reflects. It could be that Paul remembered Proverbs 22:6 when he wrote that first letter to Timothy.

In comparison, look at the “old” referred to in our Proverb. They show their age physically. Their heads are white and among the Hebrews this was a sign of one to be honored. The Hebrew word in our Proverb refers to the one who is around or over sixty years. He is an elder and a leader in the community. His long life and many days before the Lord have given him much wisdom. Although he may not have a position of authority, he is recognized as one who can give sound advice. When Moses first chose men to assist in judging the people of Israel, age was the first and most important qualification.

Among the people of Israel, those over sixty were reverenced. They were the elders of Israel. They were guides for the people. They were sound, stable, and the years had given them keen insight to rightly judge the people in the gates. How was this quality of eldership reached? How were the youth brought to maturity and on to a revered old age? Look again at our Proverb. It was through training.

Facets of training – In looking again at the Hebrew behind our Proverb, we find first of all that to train means to dedicate. The very same word as found in our Proverb is used of the dedication of the temple by Solomon in I Kings 8:63. Sound Christian training requires 6rst of all a dedication of children or youth to God. It demands a yielding up of children to the hands of the Lord. And this dedication is to be by parents of their young or by the young of themselves. Remember, we are speaking, as our Proverb says, of the training or dedication of the young from infancy to adulthood and maturity.

The second element of the Hebrew of the word to train is the element of discipline. The word carries with it the meaning to make experienced or submissive. And at the same time to give perception and understanding. There must be an element of positive correction along with the teaching·

Finally, the word to train means simply to educate. And interestingly enough the Hebrew word, as the best commentators tell us, refers to what we have come to understand in Christian circles as catechism. And in a specific sense the word means instruction in the content of faith. In other words, catechetic instruction. The Apostle Paul also uses the word catechism. To be instructed out of the Law is catechization (Romans 2:18). The one who is taught the Word is a catechumen (Gal. 6:6). And when Paul says, “I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also,” he uses the word catechize (I Cor. 14:19). In the post-apostolic age, the word catechism began to refer to the instruction in Christian doctrine which was given to adult converts prior to baptism. And it is not until later that the word comes to refer to a more formal question-and-answer form of teaching or instruction.

Traditional in the CRC – This kind of catechetical instruction has always been a traditional part of the Christian Reformed Church. Article 63 of the Church Order states that “Each church shall instruct its youth . . . .” Notice again to whom this instruction is to be given. It is to be given to the youth of the church. Those of whom we have already spoken and who are of the age from infancy to adulthood, and for that matter on into maturity. The Church Order Commentary quotes Deuteronomy 6:6, 7 in its exposition of this article: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way . . . .”

It has been the stance of the Christian Reformed Church to carefully heed the injunction concerning children to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). This is 6rst the duty of parents who are members of the Church. And it is the duty of the elders and ministers of the Church. This duty must not be taken lightly. It is important, for our youth will meet wrong approaches to Scripture. They will meet rationalism on the college campus’ And they will be often confronted with super6cial approaches to the Christian faith. If the Church is to be strong, stable, and well. balanced, its youth must be instructed in sound doctrine. They must have sound Christian training.

And of what must this Christian training or this catechetical instruction consist? First of all, it must be teachings from the revelation of Scripture. Scripture is the inerrant, infallible records of God’s revelation to man concerning sin, the curse, and the way of salvation. Above all, catechetical instruction must be grounded in Scripture. But if all things are to “be done decently and in order” (I Cor. 14:40). then a systematic approach to this instruction should be used. It is here that t.he Creeds of the Church come into play. The Creeds, or Forms of Unity, are a systematic formulation of the Revelation of Cod to man as set forth in Scripture. The Creeds are a reliable guide to the study of the way of salvation as found in Scripture. Our instruction should be in harmony with these Creeds. We are to teach the revelation of Scripture as formulated in the Creeds of the Church. And these are of course the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort.

Again, instruction should be in harmony with these but may not always be directly from these. There arc authorized helps and explanations which can and oftentimes should be used. But, special emphasis should be placed upon instruction from the Heidelberg Catechism and its Compendium. As stated on page 22 in the back of the Psalter Hymnal, Frederick II requested “the preparation of a manual for catechetical instruction . . . . In order that the Calvinistic Reformation might gain the ascendancy in his domain . . . .” The Heidelberg Catechism was the result, and it was 6rst produced as a tool for instructing men in the true Christian faith and in the way of salvation. The Christian Reformed Church saw fit to use the Catechism in the way it was first purposed one hundred years ago. We ought not to deviate from that purpose.

To be correctly administered – Armed now, with the proper tools, the training must be correctly administered. Again our Proverb speaks: “Train up a child in the way he should go.” The reference is not as it first seems to the way a child must keep during life. Bather, “in the way he should go,” refers to respecting the individuality of the youth. The instruction should conform to the nature of the youth that it may be palatable. The subject matter should be regulated according to the stage of life with its peculiarities. The methods should be arranged according to the degree of development displayed by the youth, challenge interest, and fulfill the needs of the youth to understand the faith.

The Christian Reformed Church has recognized this need as outlined in Proverbs 22:6. The Church Order Commentary, in its exposition of Article 63, discusses this matter. It exhorts that younger children should be given easy childlike studies of historical facts. These should be simple Bible stories showing forth God’s mercy and grace and the way of salvation. Older children and young people should be taught direct Christian doctrine. This should be doctrine concerning salvation and life. It should lead youth to the Christ. It should be in harmony with the Creeds of the Church. And, as pointed out in Article 64 of the Church Order, “The Heidelberg Catechism and its Compendium shall be the basis of instruction.” Again, there are helps to assist in instruction. The Church has developed many aids which are professionally done. Instructors ought to understand their material and how best to present it to the youth. This is an important task and should not be taken lightly.

Definite goals – But this instruction is not an end in itself. There are very definite goals associated with it. Let our Proverb speak again: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The training we have been discussing carries youth on through maturity into old age and eldership. The training, properly given, guarantees this progression. In this Proverb, Cod docs more than promise or agree to conditionally act. Our Proverb states nothing more or less than the precise outcome of proper Christian training. The results are not something to hope for, but the Word as given is something to believe in. The child properly trained shall not turn aside from the way of faith. He shall be a future leader of the church and lead his children to Christ. And his life will have an impact on his society.

Turning once again to the Church Order, we see these same goals reflected. “Each church shall instruct its youth . . . in order to prepare them to profess their faith publicly and to assume their Christian responsibilities in the church and in the world.” First of all, catechetical instruction is to be given to prepare young people to publicly profess their faith. Children may at an early age confess Jesus Christ as Lord and come to a saving knowledge of Him. But before the Church assembled, public profession is made. The Church is at this time assured of the youth’s soundness in doctrine and faith. This is quite important. Our Christianity is not a private affair. The Church must be assured that its numbers are in fact sound in the faith. Catechetical instruction or sound Christian training fulfills this need.

The assumption of Christian responsibilities is also vital. The Christian Reformed Church, along with all those of a solid Reformed persuasion, stands for a whole world-and-life view of Christianity. The Christian is to have an impact on the world in which the Christian rubs shoulders is to bear the mark of or be influenced by the life in Christ.

Sound Christian training prepares young people for their full-orbed lives as covenant people. Our youth are to manifest themselves as committed Christians. They are to learn to place loyalty to God, to Jesus Christ, and to the Word as written above loyalty to men. There is witness among us of how effective this Christian training is. There are those among us who have married into the Christian Reformed Church rather than pulling their spouse out of it. Because of sound training in doctrine, the Christian Reformed Church has, in the main, retained its youth. Look at the families in which fathers, sons, grandsons, and even great-grandsons either worship together or worship in the Christian Reformed Church together. “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

There is a great responsibility placed upon us. It is a responsibility of parents to children and of Church to members. And if we are to fulfill this responsibility, those of us who are young or old, catechumen or catechist, student or teacher must know the Lord and His Christ with heart, mind, soul, and strength. We must know and understand the Bible as the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of revelation to men from God. We must know the teachings of Scripture as formulated in the Creeds of the Church. And we must use all of this which comes from God Himself to train up our children in the way they should go.

And finally, we should remember that we do not train our youth simply because it has been the tradition of the Christian Reformed Church to do so. This tradition is built on the Word of God: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The Word of God and thus God Himself commands it. We are bound in a covenant with God, and we are bound therefore to respond to Him. If the response is absent and “if we belittle doctrine, we shall not only be undermining the theology of the Christian Reformed Church but shall also be destroying the piety of its members.”

The author is Dennis J. Prutow, Farmers Branch, Texas.