Parenting by the Book
STUDY 66
Text: Proverbs 10:2-3, 6-7
29 September 2002
Dear Parents,
A LESSON ON THE SUBJECT OF “RIGHTEOUSNESS”
Wise parents have a definite set of truths that they would wish their children to master. One of them must be that of “righteousness”. Let us consider the following:-
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.
The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desires of the wicked…
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.Proverbs 10:2-3, 6-7
“RIGHTEOUSNESS” VERSUS “WICKEDNESS”
Before we can teach our children how to be righteous, we must carefully define it. Righteousness is contrasted with wickedness. We need to bear this in mind all the time. If we lose this battle of raising up children who are righteous, we could see our children turn out wickedly!
THE PROMISE OF BLESSING
There are two things we must bear in mind as we teach our children about righteousness.
1. Imputed righteousness
This refers to a person who has come to have faith in the Lord Jesus. His sins are forgiven. He stands washed and cleansed before God. The righteousness of the Lord Jesus is imputed to the forgiven sinner!
2. Personal righteousness
This refers to the cultivation of the character of righteousness in an individual’s life. This is the focus of the text here. The writer is concerned about the cultivation of a righteous lifestyle!
The Lord promises “blessings on the head of the righteous” who rejects the violent ways of the wicked! He will look after the righteous.
LESSONS ON RIGHTEOUSNESS
Are we concerned about our children’s “happiness” or are we concerned about their “righteousness?” Let us teach our children how to cultivate personal righteousness.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie