Introduction: “The only way on God’s earth you will ever solve the problem of reaching the masses is by getting hold of the children.”

1. IT MUST BE PRACTICAL - "Train"
1. Train: [to drag] to guide the growth of by constant practice
2. Actions (practice) are its Goal; training is not effective unless it develops a change in actions (Proverbs 20:11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
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3. Actions are its Method; words unsupported by actions are ineffective
2. IT MUST BE PERSISTENT - "Train"
1. Training is Effected by Constant Practice
2. Training by Definition Requires Consistency
1. Not responding to every other offense
2. Not controlled by emotions (Ephesians 6:4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
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3. Not playing parents off one another
3. Consistency is More Important Than Severity
3. IT MUST BE POSITIVE - "up"
1. Even the Negative Aspects are Positive in Final Goals (Hebrews 12:9-11 [9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
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2. Seeing the Good Defines the Evil (Isaiah 7:15Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
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3. Train the Attitudes Behind the Actions (2 Corinthians 8:12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
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4. Continually Point Them Up
1. Be optimistic in your dealings with the children
2. Show them that they can do right
3. Always point them to the Lord
4. IT MUST BE PREVENTATIVE - "a child"
1. Training is Prevention; Not a Cure
1. Don’t wait until the problem is out of control
2. Don’t hope the problem will go away – It’s not just a “stage”
2. There is Much Power is Turning to God Early
1. They need to seek God early (Proverbs 8:17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
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2. They need to be trained before the evil days come (Ecclesiastes 12:1Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
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3. If you do not discipline your child, life will; but by then it may be too late (Proverbs 15:31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
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5. IT MUST BE PRINCIPLED – “in the way”
1. Not Simply a Set of Rules and Regulations; this may keep them under control, but it will not teach them how to live
2. But How to Walk in the Way of God (Psalm 27:11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
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1. Teach them to think rightly about things
2. Spend serious time with your children
1. Play with them
2. Work with them
3. Instruct them
4. Listen to them
6. IT MUST BE PERSONAL – “that he”
1. No Two Children are the Same (Psalm 139:14-17 [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. [15] My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. [16] Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. [17] How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
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2. Training Must be Personalized
3. Children Must be Allowed and Encouraged to be the Individual God has Made them to Be
7. IT MUST BE PROPELLING – “should go”
1. Seek More for Them Than you Had (Psalm 119:97-99 [97] O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. [98] Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. [99] I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
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2. Train Them to God on When you are Not There

Conclusion: The key challenge of training: it requires the character development of Mom and Dad. You must grow so that your children can know.