Raising Arrows: Parenting With Purpose

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

DEVO

If I were sitting across from you right now, I’d tell you this: Raising your child is not just about behavior — it’s about building a heart that fears God. You’re not just trying to make sure they stay out of trouble. You’re shaping a soul that will one day answer to the Lord. That’s a high calling.

The world will teach your child a thousand lies. If you don’t teach them truth, they’ll believe whatever is loudest, most entertaining, or easiest to follow. The world trains by default — but you, as a parent, must train by intentional design. The word train in Proverbs 22:6 means to dedicate, to initiate, to narrow. It’s not passive parenting — it’s focused direction.

Training your children isn’t only teaching them Bible stories — it’s showing them how you live out your faith. It's letting them watch you choose peace over anger, prayer over panic, truth over convenience, and mercy over pride.

• Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

This is a lifestyle of training. God's Word is not just for Sundays. It's for bedtime stories, breakfast conversations, car rides, and discipline moments.

• Ephesians 6:4 – “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Raising your child in the Lord means not ruling by fear or frustration, but by correction and counsel that reflects Christ’s heart.

• Psalm 127:3–4 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.”

You're raising arrows — not just children. Arrows have direction. Arrows are sharpened. Arrows are launched. What you do today determines where your children will land tomorrow.

Introspective Questions:

1. Am I more focused on managing my child’s behavior or shaping their heart?

2. Do my children hear me talk about God only at church, or regularly at home?

3. What am I modeling in front of them during hard times?

4. Have I taken the time to pray over my child today — not just for them, but over them?

5. Are my parenting methods helping my child love and reverence the Lord?

GOAL FOR TODAY:

Be intentional. Pick one spiritual truth and teach it to your child today — not with a lecture, but with your lifestyle and a conversation. It might be forgiveness, patience, or telling the truth. Let it flow naturally. Then pray with them.

PRAYER:

Abba Father, thank You for entrusting me with this child. Help me to lead them in Your truth with love, consistency, and courage. Teach me to train them with both grace and truth. Let my life reflect the kind of relationship with You I want them to have. Give me wisdom and understanding for every moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

SCRIPTURES FOR MEDITATION:

• Proverbs 1:8–9 – “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.”

• 2 Timothy 3:15 – “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

• Isaiah 54:13 – “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”