Parenting by the Book
STUDY 65
Text: Proverbs 10:1-3
22 September 2002
Dear Parents,
INDIVIDUAL NUGGETS OF WISDOM
The rest of the Book of Proverbs contains individual nuggets of wisdom. To benefit from the study of this book, we would need to look at each piece of advice separately. Each text is to be given due consideration. The benefit will come when we meditate on each word of advice given.
WHEN WE CHOOSE THE PATH OF WISDOM
Let us take time to ponder this text. The writer’s thought focuses on parents who have brought up their children well.
“…A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.Proverbs 10:1
The writer is encouraging all parents to bring up their children on the virtues of wisdom. Only when a child has attained wisdom will he bring gladness to his father’s heart. But when a child is foolish, he will bring grief to the mother’s soul. What kind of children we have depends on how we guide our children!
MANY SETS OF PARENTING SKILLS NEEDED
As we ponder over the challenge of parenting, we recognize the following truth.
1. Parenting skills are needed for bringing up infants and toddlers.
2. Another set of parenting skills are needed when the children go to primary school.
3. Another set of parenting skills are needed when they enter into secondary school.
4. Yet another set of parenting skills are required when children become young adults.
The work of parenting is not easy! We need much more than prayer efforts. We need to find great wisdom too. How our children turn out will either gladden our hearts or bring grief to our souls!
THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM
Let us be reminded of “the beginning of wisdom”. Let us read this text prayerfully.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by Me your days will be multiplied,
And the years of life will be added to you.Proverbs 9:10-11
Let us be challenged to begin our quest for wisdom with the fear of the Lord.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie