Through The Bible in a Year - February 2, 2026

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

Some in our culture say, “Just expose children to everything spiritually and let them choose for themselves.” Sounds fair, right?

But expose them to every religious conviction – is that really good? Child prostitution in Indian temples? ISIS militants usinghuman shields for their God’s glory? Paying homage to spirits in trees and stones? Forcing people to memorize your holy book or die? Or what about the simple idea that you have to measure up to be good enough for God to accept you?

If those things don’t sound like all you want your children to know, will you also dare to expose children to this: “By grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”?

Teaching children these truths is not just letting them make their own way— it’s showing them the Way.

If you really believe there’s an eternity, that souls are at stake, it becomes vital that you don’t just say, “I’ll let my child choose.” Love shows them the way of greatest joy and hope. When we point children to the way that’s not simply dependent on theflawed work of their hands or the expectations of others, then we are really blessing their futures and eternities.

Such love requires more than just letting a child choose a way that may be filled with pain. Love is spelled T-I-M-E. It takes time to show the way, to live it out, to teach it, to model it, to pray it into their hearts.

Respond: Consider what are you teaching the children in your life? Are you showing them the Way, or just letting them wander, hoping to find some meaning and joy? What needs to change in how you prioritize your time to lead the next generation in the way of everlasting joy in a world of many dark paths?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me courage to show children the Way, not just expose them to everything and hope they figure it out. Help me make time to teach them about Jesus, to live the gospel in front of them, to point them to the only hope that saves. Use me to shape souls for eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.