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Parenting by the Book

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Study 8

STUDY 8

Text: Proverbs 1:1-4
19 August 2001

Dear Parents,

DETERMINING OUR APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
As we embark on this challenging task of studying the Book of Proverbs, let us determine the approach we will adopt. Let’s consider this proposal.

1. Let’s study the Book of Proverbs Chapter by Chapter, and verse by verse. We need to first grapple with the text, and understand the Word of Wisdom contained in each text before we can attempt to categorise the various sayings.

2. Let’s seek to understand and apply the Scriptures into our lives first, before we attempt to collate the wise sayings into specific subjects. For this particular task, your help will be sought. Would you collate the many verses that we will look at in the process of time, and then collate them and categorise them for personal reference?

Let us determine that what we are attempting to do is a worthwhile, life-long project. Let us seek to become truly good and wise parents to our children!

SOME GOALS/RESULTS TO BEAR IN MIND
Goals and results should go together. We need goals. They help us focus. We need to be encouraged to believe that goals are achievable. Thus, we need to look also at the results of the work put in.

Let’s look at some of the goals/results that the compiler of the Book of Proverbs had in mind.

1. The first goal may be said to be a pure love for knowledge and wisdom. Obtaining knowledge and wisdom is a justifiable goal in itself. We read…

To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity.

Proverbs 1:2-3

2. The second goal is more visible, if not tangible. The obtaining of wisdom should evidence itself in the following way,

To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion…

Proverbs 1:4

These are not the only goals stated in the Book of Proverbs. These goals are stated to help readers understand both the primary and secondary reasons why every encouragement should be given to help people attain to wisdom. “Young men” who have not fully experienced life yet would do well to consider the words of wisdom contained in the Book of Proverbs, so that unnecessary mistakes would be minimised.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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