Parenting by the Book
STUDY 152
Text: Proverbs 16
23 May 2004
Dear Parents,
THOUGHTS AND WORKS
These two concepts are deeply integrated! Works without meaningful thought would at best be shallow. On the other hand, thoughts without works are empty and unfruitful. How may the Lord be involved in both thought and work?
Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.Proverbs 16:3
TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO RELATE EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER
This is a great challenge indeed! How vital it is to teach and encourage children to relate all things to God in prayer. The practical outworking may be tabulated as follows:-
1. A challenge to exercise faith in God
This is the concept behind the idea of committing works to the Lord! An active and dynamic faith is in mind here!
2. Eliminating over-confidence
When a child learns how to commit things to God in prayer, he learns also not to become over-confident in himself.
3. Cultivating a strong relationship with God
If a child learns how to bring everything to God in prayer, he is in fact learning how to develop a strong relationship with God. This friendship with God may start off in a very small way, but it has potential to become a powerful relationship over the years.
4. Development of a careful character
When a child learns how to take time to think and to pray, before he acts, he will develop a character that will be marked by carefulness. Children tend to be careless. This tendency must be corrected or else this trait could end up being a permanent feature in his life.
ON THE LORD’S PART
How would the Lord respond as he looks at the child who learns how to take time to think and pray before acting? What an encouraging word we have in this text!
… and your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
The word “thoughts” includes the idea of “works” in this text! God’s hand of approval would be made very clear. He would establish the thoughts and works of the child who has learned how to include Him in his life! This thought should bring great encouragement to all parents to teach their children to cultivate their walk with the Lord.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie