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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 24

STUDY 24

Text: Proverbs 1 : 1- 4
9 December 2001

GOALS FOR OUR CHILDREN

Dear Parents,

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR YOUR CHILDREN?
Let’s take time to think through this question carefully before we answer it honestly.

1. Do we actually have goals in mind when we bring up our children?

2. Have you spelt out some of these goals? What do they look like?

3. Are our goals realistic?

4. Are our goals guided by the Scriptures?

It is vital that we understand that we need goals for our children. If our goals are well set, then we would find that we are as motivated as our children in attaining those goals.

EXAMPLE OF SETTING OF GOALS IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
Goals were spelt outright at the beginning of the Book of Proverbs. Let’s delineate these goals for easier understanding and reference:-

1. To know wisdom and understanding.

2. To perceive words of understanding.

3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and equity.

4. To give prudence to the simple.

5. To the young man knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 1:1-4).

These are worthy goals indeed. These goals are quite different from the kind many parents set for their children. Parents want their children to do well in school, get a good job after completing tertiary education, but make little reference to Biblical goals.

The Book of Proverbs offers another way of looking at goals in life. The goals described here have to do with character, the attaining of wisdom, and other abstract values of life. These are good and noble qualities, though abstract.

TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO LOOK AT VALUES INSTEAD OF TANGIBLE MATERIAL THINGS
Children naturally move towards things physical and material. They are tangible things, and easy to appreciate.

The hard goals are the abstract ones, like wisdom, understanding etc. These goals are difficult to appreciate, even for adults! Nevertheless, the latter is by far more important than tangible things.

Let’s be deeply challenged to take another look at the kind of goals that we have for our children. Where we have erred, let us come back quickly to the Lord, and ask Him to teach us how to bring up our children along Biblical lines. This may be difficult, but it is worth every effort put in.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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