TRAIN UP A CHILD

Read Proverbs 22      Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.   Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

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      Many Christians today want to explain away this proverb because all too often the children of believers do turn away from what they have been taught. But then, perhaps all or most of the training today comes from unbelieving teachers, television, internet or peers. How many parents actually sit down with their children for extended instruction like Solomon is giving his son in this book?  
       Solomon tells his son that this practical teaching is so that he will learn to trust the Lord. He says, “Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.” (22:17-19)

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      Lord, help us to set aside the time to speak eye to eye with our children about all of the issues of life; and may this teaching be in accord with your perfect Holy Word. Help us to wisely discipline our children as you have said,    "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." (22:15) But most of all give us the wisdom to faithfully teach our children “in the way they should go.”

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     "Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge; that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you? "    Proverbs 22:20–21 NKJV

LISTENING CAREFULLY

DEEP WATERS

Read Proverbs 20

    The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Proverbs 20:5 NIV

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    In a warning about the dangers of gossip, Solomon tells his son to "avoid a man who talks too much." (20:19) But he also stresses the value of drawing a quiet man out, because that person may have valuable observations to make. Solomon observes, "Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel." (20:15)

     Sometimes that rare jewel may be on the lips of a child, for God says that even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. (20:11) The Psalmist prophesied, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise” (Psalm 8:2)

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     Lord, help me to stop long enough to draw out a quiet friend or child. Help me to listen closely and then encourage that person to share her heart. God cares about my innermost thoughts, for “the lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.” (20:27) and I should care enough to listen carefully to what someone has to say.

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“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”   Matthew 18:4–5 NKJV