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STUDY 47

Text: Proverbs 3:27-30
19 May 2002

Dear Parents,

LEARNING HOW TO GET ALONG WELL WITH PEOPLE
One very important social skill that must be taught to children is the ability to get along with people. Some children find it easier than others to get along with people. Let us make every effort to help them adjust.

A DEEP SENSE OF REGARD FOR PEOPLE
One important truth we must teach our children is to have a high regard or respect for others. Let us try and fathom the wisdom found in the following words.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do so.
Do not say to your neighbour,
‘Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,’
When you have it with you.

Proverbs 3:27-28

It is not uncommon for neighbours to borrow things from each other. A variety of things may be borrowed. Food items, money, books etc are often borrowed. The problem comes when it is time to return what was borrowed!

Children sometimes borrow small amounts of money from their friends to buy snacks or a drink in school. It is wise to check and to make sure that our children return promptly what they borrowed. The ideal of course is not to borrow at all, but we live in an imperfect world, and our children are far from being perfect. Thus it is important that they learn how to have a regard for their friends. Whatever is in their power to return, they must be encouraged to do so…PROMPTLY!

LIVING IN HARMONY
How important it is that we teach our children how to live in harmony with people, starting with our neighbours. Consider these words of advice.

Do not devise evil against your neighbour,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

Proverbs 3:29-30

Why do people live together in a community often called “neighbourhood”? Surely one of them is because of the “safety” factor. People like to believe that when they are part of a good neighbourhood they are safe. It is vital that we teach our children how to care for neighbours. How we must learn to get along well with all our neighbours. Strife with neighbours without a cause is not something we want to encourage at all.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie