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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 59

STUDY 59

Text: Proverbs 6:20-23
11 August 2002

Dear Parents,

THE POWER OF CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Don’t get discouraged when children don’t seem to remember all that you have taught them. The work of teaching children must be understood at two levels.

1. The immediate or present

This is where the frustration lies for most parents. Children seem to keep repeating their mistakes. We wonder if anything has been learned at all (at times).

2. The future

The instructions we give are not in vain. The words of wisdom sown will remain in the hearts and minds of children and will come to their rescue many years down the road. We all remember what our parents or grandparents taught us – years later.

INTIMATION OF THIS CONCEPT

The text that we are going to read gives us encouragement to keep instructing our children faithfully.

My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.

Proverbs 6:20-21

This text seems to apply to the immediate or the present situation at hand. However the following text suggests that the future is involved.

When you roam, they will lead you;
When you sleep, they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.

Proverbs 6:22

There will come a time when children grow up and they will “roam” the world. The words of instruction from parents however will lead them, keep them and continue to speak to them, even after the demise of the parents.

THE NATURE OF BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION

We must seek to give instructions that come from the Scriptures. There is a particular quality about the instruction that is drawn from God’s Word. This is well expressed in this text. Let’s keep seeking to guide our children with the Scriptures.

For the commandment is a lamp,
and the law is a light…

Proverbs 6:23

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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