Nobody makes a free throw the first time they pick up a basketball. Nobody sits down at a piano and plays a song. Nobody rides a bike without wobbling. You get good at things by training—doing the same thing over and over until it becomes part of you.

That’s exactly what Proverbs 22:6 is about, and here’s the fun part: this verse is about you! You’re the child being trained up.

The Hebrew word for “train up” in this verse is really interesting. It can also be translated “start” or even “dedicate.” It’s the same word the Bible uses for dedicating a house or a temple to God (Deuteronomy 20:5; Ezra 6:16; 1 Kings 8:63). So “train up” means to start someone down a path and point them in a direction.

So the grown-ups in your life who teach you and correct you? They’re not being annoying. They’re training you. And here’s the best part—training works. That’s the whole promise of the verse. What you practice now is what will stick with you later.

Take Action: Think of one grown-up who trains you, like a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a coach, or a small group leader. Today, thank them out loud and be specific. Don’t just say “thanks for everything.” Say, “Thank you for teaching me how to ______,” or “Thank you for not letting me quit when ______.”