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Proverbs 1:1-9 The
proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom
and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the
instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence
to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion; A wise man will
hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise
counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and
their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction
of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will
be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.
Let’s take a look at what God expects from fathers. First, they are to be a good role-model for their children. Remember, God’s Word states, “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother.”(Prov 1:8) Fathers, your actions speak louder than your words, and this is especially true in your home. Your children learn their values, morals, and priorities by observing how you act, and react every day. If you exhibit a deep reverence for, and dependence on God, your children will catch these attitudes. Fathers, be sure they see your reverence for God. Teach them right living, by giving worship an important place in your family life. Let them see it as you read the Bible together. Moses did this as he “spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”(Num 30:1-2) Fathers, like Moses, you are to train your children in the art of decision making. Under Israelite law, parents could overrule their children’s vows. This helped young people avoid the consequences of making foolish promises, or costly commitments. From this law comes an important principle for both fathers, and children. Young people still living at home should seek their parents’ help when they make decisions. A father’s experience could save a child from a serious mistake. However, fathers should exercise their authority with caution, and grace. They should let children learn from their mistakes, but protect them from disaster. Fathers, you are to teach your children God’s Word. He is saying to you this very moment, “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”(Deu 6:6,7) This passage provides the central theme of Deuteronomy. It sets a pattern that helps you relate the Word of God, to your daily life. You are to love God, think constantly about his commandments, teach his commandments to your children, and live each day by the guidelines in his Word. God emphasized the importance of fathers teaching His Word to their children. The church, and Christian schools, cannot be used as an escape from your responsibility. God’s Word provides so many opportunities for object lessons, and practical teaching, that it would be a shame to study it only one day a week. Eternal truths are most effectively learned, in the loving environment of a God-fearing home. As a father, you are to
train your children in applying the Scriptures. The Hebrews were
extremely successful at making religion an integral part of life. The reason
for their success was that religious education was life-oriented, not information-oriented.
They used the context of daily life to teach about God. The key to
teaching your children to love God, is stated simply and clearly in these
verses. If you want your
The mother of James and John asked Jesus to give her sons special positions in his kingdom, when she “came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”(Matthew 20:20-21)? Fathers, you are to seek God’s will for your children, and it is natural for you to want to see your children promoted and honored. Nonetheless, this desire is dangerous, if it causes them to lose sight of God’s specific will for your children. God may have different work in mind, which is not as glamorous, but just as important. Therefore fathers, your desires for your children’s advancement, must be held in check, as you pray for God’s will to be done in their children’s lives. You, as a father, have an important job to do; in carrying it out, you must be dependent upon God’s help. Go ahead; you can do it! |
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A CHILD |
CONTENTS |
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