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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 149

STUDY 149

Text: Proverbs 15
2 May 2004

Dear Parents,

CULTIVATING THE ART OF LISTENING
One needs to have a good ear to be able to appreciate music. One must also have a good listening ear before one can be effective in the ministry of counseling. Where does the ability to listen well begin?

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HUMBLE EAR
Let us consider the following text that helps us appreciate the role of a good listening ear.

The ear that listens to rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

Proverbs 15:31-32

“The ear that listens to rebukes of life”
Everyone makes mistakes in life. However, not everyone learns from the mistakes made. Every mistake made will receive a rebuke, whether spoken or unuttered. He who has developed a good ear is the one who knows how to accept the rebukes of life. What a challenge to help our children cultivate a good listening ear that will listen to the rebukes of life. That child will grow up very well and he will “abide among the wise”.

“He who disdains instruction despises his own soul”
Not everyone listens to instruction well. There are some who just hate to be corrected. Worse, they reject every form of instruction. What is the end of the person who disdains instruction? The individual may not realize it, but he is in fact despising his own soul when he disdains instruction.

“He who heeds rebuke gets understanding”
Children will need to be guided as they grow up. From time to time, they may even need a word of rebuke. Would that child heed words of rebuke? If he does, he would gain understanding – of life, of himself and much more! How important it is to help children cultivate a good listening ear!

THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Once again, we come across a familiar phrase.

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honour is humility.

Proverbs 15:33

Let us teach our children how the fear of the Lord would create a humble heart that will enable them to listen hard and well. He who listens will succeed in life.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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