Hanahk Your Children!

What does it mean to "hanahk" your kids?
That's the Hebrew word we translate "train," as in Proverbs 22:6...
"Train up your child in the way he/she should go..."
I mentioned that this word carries the aspects that all shed light into the role of parenting.

First, this idea of training.  When I preached on this I said that all the World Cup players know the importance of training.  Then I said that we parents are in the job of training our kids to live godly lives.  I want to take that back.
Our job in training our kids is WAY MORE IMPORTANT and WAY MORE INTENSE than training for the World Cup.  Say what you will, it's a game.  It's a cup.  It's fleeting glory.
But we are training our kids for a goal and prize that never fades and never perishes!


Second, "dedicate," "consecrate" your child.  The three other times hanahk  is used in the bible it is translated to dedicate a building.  Before a stone is laid in the foundation of our children's lives they are to be fully dedicated to God.  Pray over your kids.  Have them baptized or prayed over in public worship.  Pray with them every night and remind them that they belong to God.


Third, the idea of putting a bit or bridle on a horse.  It is vital for parents to provide a structure of restraint and direction in children's lives.  This goes way beyond building a fence to keep our children and toddlers safe.  This is about teaching discipline, self-control, delayed gratification.  The bible calls it "meekness." It's about power in control.  Our kids have INCREDIBLE potential, and they need us to help them learn how to harness and direct it.

We need to train our children with the intentionality of a coach.
We need to dedicate our children to God so they never doubt to whom they belong.
We need to bridle our children so to harness and direct their power.

Parents NEED to do this for their kids.
Their peers won't.
Their teachers can't.
The media isn't able.
They need their parents to do this.
Do NOT drop the ball on this one- Hanahk your kid!