Every parent who embraces the task of spiritual training in the lives of their own children is no less a miracle worker. Moms and dads who labor to impart spiritual truth to their kids can attest to the enormity of the responsibility. At times, ours seems as insurmountable a task as Anne Sullivan's. Chuck Swindoll has observed that the phrase train up refers to imparting truths and principles not naturally known by a child. It would hardly be difficult, for instance, to train up a child in selfishness.
Parents have the massive job of training children in things that no child comes by naturally.
Many parents leave this training to other people or institutions, which are incapable of Mom and Dad's effectiveness simply because the Lord never intended for anyone else to shoulder the responsibility. Perhaps the most popular crutch is the church. Parents are hampered in spiritual training without the church, but without parents embracing their calling, the church can offer only spiritual life support. The outline of the parents' role in this adventure is found in what we call the Deuteronomy 6 Mandate. In this chapter are Moses' words of instruction to Israel as they prepare to enter their new homeland.