Parenting by the Book
STUDY 39
Text: Proverbs 3:1-4
24 March 2002
Dear Parents,
THE BLESSING THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO CHILDREN WHEN THEY HONOUR THEIR PARENTS
It is important that we take time to understand this great truth found in this portion of God’s Word.
For length of days and long life
and peace they will add to you.Proverbs 3:2
This text is nothing short of a promise from God that children who regard the words of their parents would be specially blessed. In this particular text, some of these blessings are actually enumerated. There is the blessing of long life and peace.
CONCURRENCE FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL
We must consider an important comment made by the Apostle Paul concerning this subject. He concurs with this text from the Book of Proverbs. He wrote,
Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
‘Honour your father and mother,’
which is the first commandment with promise:
‘that it may be well with you and you may live long
on the earth.’Ephesians 6:1-3
Paul agrees completely with this great truth found in the Book of Proverbs. When our children learn to obey us, they will find special blessings from the Lord. They will be blessed on earth!
A SPECIAL WORD OF ADMONITION TO PARENTS
It is important for all parents however to be admonished that they must not abuse the authority that God has given them. Paul added these words even as he commented on parenting in his epistle to the Ephesians.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.Ephesians 6:4
Parents have no right to abuse their authority! They are charged with the great task of training their children so that they would be well brought up, admonished by the Lord Himself. Let us be deeply challenged to take time to pray over this great truth of “parental authority” taught in the Scriptures.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie