Parenting by the Book
STUDY 190
Text: Proverbs 18
13 February 2005
Dear Parents,
TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE WORLD
Children need to be carefully taught about the world they live in. The better informed they are, the more they will be able to comprehend the world. How would you go about teaching our children about the world we live in?
A BIBLICAL APPROACH
Let us take time to ponder over what the following text teaches about the world. Many lessons can be drawn from the text.
It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.Proverbs 18:5
1. Two distinct groups of people in the world
It is important that we teach our children that the world is essentially divided into two types of people:-
a) There are “the wicked”.
b) There are “the righteous”.
They are distinctively different, one from the other! Each group is characterized by definite features. It is good and wise to use the Scriptures to teach our children how to recognize them.
2. A Judicial system
The text suggests that a judicial system in place. Children should be taught how to respect law and justice. If they can develop good values from a young age, they would learn the way of the righteous!
a) Justice attacked
It is never too early to teach children that sometimes, things can go very wrong in life. Sometimes, the wicked try and subvert justice. The righteous must do everything they can to uphold justice!
b) “Partiality to the wicked”
The wicked would try very hard to get the best out of the judicial system. Sometimes people end up showing “partiality to the wicked.” How important that we teach our children that it is “not good” to do that!
c) “Overthrowing the righteous in judgment”
The righteous are sometimes overthrown when the wicked get the upper hand! It is vital that we teach our children how to stand up for truth and righteousness!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie