Parenting by the Book
STUDY 102
Text: Proverbs 14
8 June 2003
Dear Parents,
PRUDENCE AND FOLLY
Wisdom and folly were personified in Proverbs 9. It might help us understand things better if we personify these two concepts as would-be friends of our children. Another word for “wisdom” is “prudence”.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.Proverbs 14:8
“The Prudent”
Three characteristics of “the prudent” may be highlighted.
1. The prudent is deemed to have wisdom.
2. He seeks to understand himself.
3. He seeks to understand the way that he has chosen.
“The Fool”
Three things may also be highlighted.
1. The fool is deemed to love folly.
2. He does not seem to understand life at all.
3. He deceives himself.
Unfortunately we cannot choose the friends of our children for them. We can only alert them to the fact that there will always be wise friends and foolish friends. Hopefully, they would choose wise and prudent friends as companions.
ANOTHER PAIR OF FRIENDS – A MOCKER AND AN UPRIGHT PERSON
Children like to have many friends, not just one or two. Let us consider another pair of would-be friends.
Fools mock at sin
But among the upright there is favour.Proverbs 14:9
There are some who mock when they do wrong. There are those who seek to be upright. May we guide our children to choose good and upright people as bosom pals.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie