Proverbs 4
In this proverb, King Solomon actually shows us how he was taught by his father, King David and when and how we should teach our own children. In verses 3 and 4, he says, When I was a son to my father; tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, then he taught me and said to me, let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments and live. Both King David and King Solomon both knew that it was their responsibility to start teaching their children when they were young. They both knew that being a good parent was more than just providing physically for their children. They knew that is was just as much if not more important to teach them about God and life in general. I can’t help think that they both ascribed to what was written in Proverbs 22:6, Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. The Apostle Paul adds a bit more advice along these lines as well. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.
Why is it so important for all parents to teach their children about how to live godly lives? The simple answer is that it will help our children be able to cope well when life is hard and live a happy life by making good decisions. If our children are taught to be discerning concerning their friends and who they date, most likely, they will stay out of trouble and find a companion for life. Verses 14-19 speak to choosing the straight path of good, and not the crooked path of evil. The reason for making godly choices is given in v. 18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun shining ever brighter till the full light of day. In other words, when our children run with good friends, they will have happy days.
Paul added another aspect, calling out fathers specifically, in that they should not exasperate their children. Fathers, as you teach your children how to live godly lives, do so in a gentle and organic way. When you are playing, talking, walking, cooking with your children, don’t tease them in a way that will cause them to think badly about themselves. That’s not to say don’t ever tease and have fun with your children, quite the opposite. However, there is a way to tease that is fun, and a way to tease that cuts into our children’s emotional health. As a parent, we need to choose our words carefully, with the well-being of our children foremost in our choices. When this is done, everyone in the family can laugh and enjoy time together.
Our children will only listen to what we say if we spend time with them and nurture a healthy relationship with them. This means, fathers and mothers, work needs to come after family. This is not always easy to do, especially in today’s working climate. However, it is what our children need from us. In order to fulfill our responsibility to our children to teach them, we need to make the godly decision that they come before work. You may be asking, how, then can I provide for my family? Remember, it is God who is doing the providing. As you look for work, pray for God to lead you to the job He would have for you. After all, it’s God who wants you to spend time with your children and teach them, so He will find you the right job to allow this to happen.
Proverbs chapter 4 ends with advice for how our children should conduct their personal lives. Three pieces of advice: watch over your spiritual life, don’t lie and watch the path you take.
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth
And keep devious speech far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be established.
Do not turn to the right or to the left;
Turn your foot from evil. Vv. 23-27 (NASV)
This is good advice, that not only our children need to hear, but is best taught by example. When our children see us studying the Bible and praying, we are setting an example of how to live a spiritually productive life. Never lie to your children or anyone. It isn’t always easy, but telling the truth is still the best policy despite what others may tell you. The easiest way to fix our paths is to be sure we are asking God to lead us. As our children see us allowing God to lead us – with His all-knowing guidance to the best life possible, they too will allow God to lead them.
Parents, the best way to teach our children is by putting God squarely in the middle of our own lives. Children imitate their parents, whether we want them to or not. Let’s give them godly ways to copy us by taking the advice of the book of Proverbs into our own hearts.
*All Biblical references are from the New International Bible unless otherwise noted.
Picture Credit: https://www.familyeducation.com/entertainment-activities/games/the-2022-round-up-of-board-games-for-kids
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