Parenting by the Book
STUDY 40
Text: Proverbs 3:3-4
31 March 2002
Dear Parents,
“LAW” IN THE GARB OF “MERCY AND TRUTH”
How do we actually exercise the concept of parental authority when we bring up our children? How do we actually teach children how to regard parental authority? Let us consider these words from the Book of Proverbs.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.Proverbs 3:3
AN EXAMPLE OF ABUSE OF PARENTAL AUTHORITY
A few years ago there was a trilogy written by a man called Dave Pelzer. In these three books, he wrote about how he grew up as a badly abused child. His mother was an alcoholic and abused her rights as a mother. She forced him to do all kinds of chores in the home. She refused to call him by his name. He went by the name “It”. He suffered terribly under the hands of mother who seemed to enjoy inventing new ways to torture her son. (The first book was entitled, “A Child Called It”. The second book was called, “The Lost Boy”. The last book was called, “A Man Named Dave”). These three deeply moving books remind us of the great danger that parents must face. The problem of abuse is real! Let us guard ourselves carefully.
GUARDING OURSELVES FROM POSSIBLE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY
Let us make sure that when we teach our children, our words of admonition should be characterized by “mercy and truth”. There will be times when our children will rebel against parental authority. There will be times when they will choose the wrong paths.
Nevertheless, we are forbidden to abuse the authority God has given to all parents. All parents are reminded to check the way they teach their children. Their “laws” and “commands” should be beautiful ornaments worn around the neck. Children ought to display that have been brought up well when they display the beauty of their parents’ laws.
ANOTHER SET OF BLESSING UPON CHILDREN WHO KNOW HOW TO REGARD THEIR PARENTS’ WORDS
How gracious God is to add blessing upon blessing upon obedient children. Let us consider this set of blessings.
And so find favour and high esteem
in the sight of God and man.Proverbs 3:4 (cf. Luke 2:52)
God’s favour falls on all obedient children!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie