Parenting by the Book
STUDY 210
Text: Proverbs 19
3 July 2005
Dear Parents,
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT “REGARD”
Regard is an important thing to teach children. But it is by no means easy to teach them how to have proper regard. There are some who have little or no regard for authority at all!
A good and healthy regard for authority needs to be taught! If children are not taught how to regard authority carefully, they might well run afoul of the law.
REGARD FOR AUTHORITY
In ancient days, authority was centered in the king. The following text illustrates how good or poor regard will result in expected ways.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favour is like the dew on the grass.Proverbs 19:12
1. “The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion”
a) The king’s wrath
This could well occur in a number of situations:-
i) Flouting of the law of the land
ii) Criminal activities
iii) Treason
b) Like the roaring of a lion
This well illustrates:-
i) The anger of the king.
ii) The action of the king against those who flout the laws of the kingdom.
2. “But his favour is like the dew on the grass”
This is a picturesque description:-
a) It is a picture illustrating benevolence.
b) It is an apt description of the goodwill of the king towards his subjects who possess an appropriate regard for the laws of the land!
THE DANGER FOR DISREGARD FOR AUTHORITY
This is a nightmare that many governments face. This is one of the fears that parents have in their hearts. Many fear that their children would grow up with little or no regard for authority! Where there is disregard for authority, the crime rate soars! Where there is regard for authority, greater progress could well result!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie