Parenting by the Book
STUDY 28
Text: Proverbs 1 : 10-18
6 January 2002
Dear Parents,
THE POWER OF REASONING
As you take time to read through the text (once again), you cannot help but notice the wise employment of “reasoning” in the bringing up of children. Consider the following phrases,
If sinners entice you…
Proverbs 1:10
If they say, “Come with us…”
Proverbs 1:11
Children are quite capable of reasoning. A mere command given to a very young child may be sufficient, but as the child grows older, this means of communication would no longer be received well, or easily. Teach your children how you think. Teach your children how you reason. You might have better success in communicating with them.
THE POWER OF THE IMAGINATION
Never underestimate the power of the human imagination. The skillful parent recognizes that children can be tempted via the imagination. Children are naturally imaginative. They imagine themselves as super-heroes. Their imagination can be so very real to them.
When wicked people entice children, they appeal to the imagination of the young people. Consider how they trap the young.
…Come with us.
Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
Let us swallow them alive like Sheol…
We shall find all kinds of precious possessions.
We shall fill our houses with spoil…
Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse…Proverbs 1:11-14
The wicked know their craft very well. They know that once they capture the imagination of the innocent young ones, they might be able to lure them into their “gang”. This method has worked very well for them. How do we counter such attacks from wicked people?
LEARN NEW SKILLS
Attempts to order our children will never be effective. Let us be challenged as parents to learn new skills if necessary. Let us learn how to employ the powers of reason and the imagination as we bring up our children to walk in the ways of God.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie