Parenting by the Book
STUDY 146
Text: Proverbs 15
11 April 2004
Dear Parents,
PRESSING TOWARDS SPIRITUAL MATURITY
As we watch our children grow up, we have to bear in mind the word “maturity.” It is not enough just to watch them grow up. They must be taught lessons that would help them to mature well. Let us consider the following text.
The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.Proverbs 15:28
What are some of the things that we should look for as we help our children mature?
1. Look for righteousness
Righteousness is more than just random good acts. Righteousness is a way of life. If we can help our children to cultivate righteousness, they would mature well. Children can be taught to love righteousness.
a) Think righteously.
b) Do righteous things.
c) Practise the above till it becomes natural.
2. Look at the heart of the children
Righteousness has deep roots. The deeper the roots the more established children would be with reference to righteousness. Look at the way children’s hearts are involved. Engage the heart. That will make all the difference.
a) Involve the heart.
b) Help the children to use the heart when they practise doing righteous things.
c) Practise the above till the heart and righteousness are “one.”
THE BATTLE AGAINST EVIL
There is a great battle that must be fought against evil. We must not let evil defeat us easily. Children learn the ways of evil too easily. The influence of sin is deadly. It causes children to pour out wicked and evil words. A bad-mouthed child displays an important fact. He has been tainted by the power of evil. Our part is to help the children get out of their problems slowly but steadily. The long term solution is to help them become spiritually mature.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie